Shopify has launched Canvas, a new tool that allows merchants to build and customize online stores through conversational AI. The platform enables users to chat with its AI agent, Sidekick, and see changes reflected in real-time on their store's code.
Canvas marks a significant step in simplifying online store creation, offering merchants a more intuitive way to design their digital storefronts without extensive technical knowledge. This new feature aims to make custom store designs accessible to a broader range of entrepreneurs.
Shopify introduced Canvas on October 1, 2026, enabling merchants to create and customize online stores by conversing with its AI agent, Sidekick. The platform displays changes in real time, reflecting them directly on the store's actual code rather than a static preview. This approach allows for testing interactive elements and animations, and viewing the store's appearance on various screen sizes.
Previously, making deeper customizations to a Shopify store often required editing code or hiring a developer. Sidekick, which has been available in beta since 2024, was already capable of writing code, creating apps, and configuring themes. With Canvas, Shopify has enhanced Sidekick's capabilities by giving it direct access to theme files and simplifying the theme architecture. This allows the AI to more easily understand and modify a store's structure, logic, and design. Shopify stated that this integration allows merchants to build a fully custom store in approximately twenty minutes.
Ben Sehl, Shopify's director of product, noted that when he co-founded Kotn 12 years ago, it took him two weeks to get a basic store operational, even with coding knowledge. Canvas aims to bridge that gap, helping entrepreneurs realize their store vision more quickly. The company acknowledges that Canvas is in its early stages of development. While it does not yet replace the existing editor, Shopify plans for rapid evolution of the tool.
The integration with Sidekick is part of Shopify's broader strategy to leverage AI in e-commerce. Earlier in September, Shopify announced a partnership with Meta Platforms to integrate Meta's AI agent, Muse, with Shop Pay. This collaboration aims to create an AI-driven ecosystem where Canvas handles backend store creation and Muse assists with customer acquisition and traffic generation.
Shopify's commitment to AI integration was also evident in its Q3 earnings report, which highlighted AI's growing influence on online shopping. The company reported sales growth of 34% and projected further increases. Canvas is positioned to compete with similar AI-powered website building tools offered by competitors such as Wix and Squarespace.