signalTechCrunch AI2026-10-02
Shopify debuts Canvas, a way to build online stores by chatting with AI
Shopify launched Canvas, a tool that lets merchants build their store by chatting with its AI agent Sidekick, with real-time code rendering. It joins other AI site builders like Wix and Webflow, but currently lacks third-party theme support and is desktop-only.
- for who
- Merchants and online sellers who want to create a store without coding.
- what changes
- They can now build and customize a full store through chat, seeing live code changes, without needing a developer.
- to do
- Try using Canvas with Sidekick to chat-build a store and explore its real-time preview.
key points
- Canvas uses Sidekick to chat-build stores with real-time code rendering
- Merchants can see full interactivity and responsive views, but no third-party themes
- Part of a shift toward AI site-building, alongside Wix, Squarespace, and Webflow
#shopify#canvas#ai site building
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