Shopify debuts Canvas, allowing merchants to build custom stores via AI chat

While Shopify previously offered a no-code builder, deeper customizations typically required manual code editing or developer assistance. Canvas changes this by allowing users to describe their vision through chat. As Sidekick implements changes, the results are rendered in real time on a design surface that shows the actual code behind the store, rather than just a static preview. This allows merchants to test full interactivity, animations, and responsiveness across various screen sizes.

To support this capability, Shopify has simplified its theme architecture and granted Sidekick the ability to work directly with theme files. Sidekick identifies design requirements, proposes approaches, and uses visual feedback—such as screenshots—to refine its work in a loop.