{
  "id": 11239524,
  "title": "Shopify debuts Canvas, a way to build online stores by chatting with AI",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/shopify-debuts-canvas-a-way-to-build-online-stores-by-chatting-with-ai",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-10-01T16:44:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TechCrunch",
    "slug": "techcrunch",
    "url": "https://techcrunch.com/2026/10/01/shopify-debuts-canvas-a-way-to-build-online-stores-by-chatting-with-ai/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Shopify unveiled a groundbreaking tool on Thursday called Canvas that allows business owners to create their online store through conversation with AI. While Shopify has long provided a no-code builder, Canvas elevates the process by enabling merchants to construct their store by simply chatting with Shopify’s AI assistant, Sidekick. Once initiated, Sidekick makes real-time changes to the site, displaying the results immediately so merchants can visualize the overall layout or zoom in on specific elements. Importantly, Canvas does not display a static preview; instead, it renders the actual code behind the store, enabling merchants to test its interactivity, animations, and responsiveness across various screen sizes. Sidekick also captures screenshots of the evolving work to stay in sync with the merchant’s view as the store updates. This launch signifies a broader trend towards eliminating the need for direct coding in website creation, joining other AI-driven site-building platforms such as Wix, Squarespace, Webflow, Framer, Lovable, and Replit. Merchants can still manually adjust individual elements if they prefer, but the chat-based interaction with Sidekick is likely to be the more popular route. Sidekick, previously utilized for coding, app building, theme customization, and other edits, has now been integrated into Canvas to allow users to see the entire store layout while making updates, with the ability to pan and zoom around the site in real time. Shopify engineered Sidekick to directly interact with the theme’s files and streamlined the theme architecture to make it easier for Sidekick to comprehend and modify the store’s structure, logic, and design. While Canvas is still in its early stages, it holds the potential to democratize online selling by providing an accessible solution for entrepreneurs without the resources or time to hire developers or learn coding.",
  "summary": "Shopify’s new Canvas site builder lets merchants create and customize their online stores by chatting with its AI agent Sidekick, while watching the changes happen in real time.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}