Shopify’s Canvas Lets Merchants Build Online Stores by Chatting With AI
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Shopify has launched Canvas, a new site-building tool that allows merchants to create online stores by conversing with its AI agent, Sidekick. This innovation replaces the previous no-code builder, which required manual rearrangement of theme sections or coding expertise for deeper customizations. With Canvas, users describe their desired store features and see real-time changes rendered directly from the actual code rather than a static preview. The system enables merchants to test interactivity, animations, and layouts across various screen sizes while Sidekick captures screenshots to align with the user's view. To facilitate this, Shopify granted Sidekick direct access to theme files and simplified the underlying architecture for easier modification. Currently, the tool is limited to desktop use and does not support third-party themes, app blocks, translations, or market rollouts. Despite these early-stage restrictions, Canvas enters a competitive landscape alongside platforms like Wix, Squarespace, Webflow, and Framer.
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