Shopify Debuts AI Canvas for Store Building, Cutting Need for Coding
Updated
Updated · TechCrunch · Oct 1
Shopify Debuts AI Canvas for Store Building, Cutting Need for Coding
3 articles · Updated · TechCrunch · Oct 1
Summary
Canvas lets Shopify merchants build a full online store by chatting with the company’s AI assistant, Sidekick, with changes appearing live as the site is created.
Shopify says Canvas renders the store’s actual code rather than a static mock-up, so merchants can test interactivity, animations and different screen sizes while editing.
Sidekick can also take screenshots to track what the merchant sees, while users still retain the option to click into individual elements for manual changes.
The launch extends Sidekick from coding and theme tweaks into a full site-building product, after Shopify simplified theme architecture so the AI could work directly with theme files.
Canvas places Shopify more squarely in the fast-growing AI website-builder race with Wix, Squarespace, Webflow and Framer, while aiming to lower costs for sellers without developers.