Shopify launches Canvas AI workspace for store building

Shopify has launched Canvas, a new AI-powered visual workspace designed to allow merchants to build and customize online stores through natural language conversations. The tool utilizes Shopify’s AI agent, Sidekick, to execute design changes, manage theme code, and handle complex customizations that previously required professional developers.

Canvas provides a real-time, interactive interface where users can view their entire storefront, zoom into specific sections, and see changes rendered on actual theme code rather than static mockups. Sidekick can perform tasks such as generating Liquid code, taking screenshots to inspect its own work, and remembering design preferences to streamline the building process. According to Shopify product lead Ben Sehl, the tool can reduce the time required to build a custom store from weeks to approximately twenty minutes.

The rollout began in early October 2026, offering a more intuitive alternative to traditional no-code editors by allowing direct chat-based instructions alongside manual element editing.