Shopify Canvas: build a store by chatting while AI writes the code

According to TechCrunch, Shopify has announced a new site-building tool called Canvas, with which merchants can set up their stores by chatting with AI. Canvas brings the company's AI agent, Sidekick, together in a complete store-building experience.

How does Canvas differ from the previous builder?

Shopify's existing no-code builder was based on dragging and rearranging sections and blocks in a chosen theme. Deeper customisation meant writing code or hiring a developer. In Canvas, the merchant tells Sidekick what they want, and the result appears in real time as the AI makes changes. Those who prefer can also edit by clicking individual elements.

Is the preview real?

According to Shopify, what appears on screen is not a static draft but the store's actual code. Merchants can therefore try the page's full interactivity and animation and see how it looks at different screen sizes. Sidekick also takes screenshots as it works, so it sees what the merchant sees. To make this possible, Shopify let Sidekick work directly with the theme's files and simplified the theme architecture.

What is missing from the first release?

The product is at an early stage. Third-party theme support, app blocks and extensions, markets, translations, rollouts and theme updates are outside the first release, and Canvas works only on desktop. Shopify told TechCrunch it plans to support these over time. The report places Canvas alongside tools such as Wix, Squarespace, Webflow and Framer, and close to vibe-coding platforms such as Lovable and Replit.

What should e-commerce teams in Turkey do?

The report gives no Turkey-specific information. Because translation and market support are missing from the first release, it will be hard for brands planning to expand abroad to make Canvas their main tool straight away. For small teams, though, low-cost experiments could be an opportunity:

• Try Canvas on a separate development theme without touching your live store, and review the changes the AI makes to theme files.
• If you use third-party themes or app blocks, factor in that they are not supported in the first release.
• If you plan multilingual or multi-market sales, follow Shopify's announcements for when translation and market support will arrive.