Shopify's Canvas Builds Your Store by Chat
Shopify launched Canvas, a tool that builds a store by chatting with AI agent Sidekick, rendering real code and live changes.
Shopify introduced a site-building tool called Canvas that lets merchants create their Shopify store by chatting with the company's AI agent, Sidekick. The tool builds the store through conversation rather than manual setup.
Canvas displays changes in real time as the AI makes them, and it renders the real code behind the store rather than a static preview. Merchants can test the page's interactivity and animation and view pages across different screen sizes.
Sidekick takes screenshots of the work so it can see the same thing the merchant sees. Merchants can still click on individual elements to make changes directly, according to TechCrunch.
Shopify gave Sidekick the ability to work directly with the theme's files. The company also simplified the theme architecture so the store's structure, logic, and design would be easier for Sidekick to understand and change.
What Came Before
Before Canvas, Shopify already offered a fairly capable no-code builder that involved editing a selected theme by rearranging modular sections and blocks. Deeper customizations previously required editing code or bringing in a developer.
Sidekick itself is not new. In October 2025, it had already been used to write code, build apps, customize themes, and make other edits.
Quick answers
What is Shopify Canvas?
Canvas is a site-building tool that lets merchants create their Shopify store by chatting with the AI agent Sidekick.
Does Canvas show a static preview?
No. Canvas renders the real code behind the store rather than a static preview, and displays changes in real time.
Can merchants still edit elements directly?
Yes. Merchants can click on individual elements to make changes directly.