Setting up an online store used to mean long nights wrestling with design templates, product descriptions, and layout tweaks. Shopify just hit fast-forward on all that.
As part of its Summer 2025 update, Shopify has launched the AI Store Builder, a tool that builds your online store from a simple one-line description of your business. That’s it—describe what you sell, and the AI does the rest.
“This is the fastest way we’ve ever seen someone go from an idea to a fully functional online store.”
— Shopify Product Team, via Reuters
From Idea to Storefront: How It Actually Works
Here’s what the setup feels like:
| Step | What You Do | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Write a quick prompt (e.g., “eco-friendly yoga apparel”) | AI understands your concept |
| 2 | Review layout options | Three ready-to-edit store designs with sample images + copy |
| 3 | Make it yours | Edit using Shopify’s built-in tools—no code needed |
Instead of spending hours configuring pages, you're browsing completed versions of your future store. It’s like showing up to a meeting and finding the deck already done.
Meet Horizon: The Theme Made for This AI Workflow
To support the new builder, Shopify introduced Horizon, a visual-first theme that lets you tweak the look and feel of your store without touching a line of code.
Why it matters:
- Modular sections you can drag and drop
- Looks great on phones and laptops alike
- Designed to work with AI-generated layouts
- Built-in support for brand colors, fonts, and logos
It’s flexible enough for pros, simple enough for beginners.
What Else Is New in Shopify Magic?
Shopify’s broader AI toolkit—Shopify Magic—also got a serious upgrade. Here’s what’s in the box:
| Feature | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Sidekick | A voice-enabled assistant that talks you through store setup in real time |
| Image Creation | Let the AI generate product images if you don’t have any |
| Smart Copy | Write product descriptions, emails, and more in your brand voice |
These aren’t gimmicks—they’re built to reduce the bottlenecks that slow teams down.
Who Gets It and When?
| Shopify Plan | Access to AI Store Builder |
|---|---|
| Basic and above | Already live as of May 2025 |
That means even small teams or solo sellers can skip the usual setup friction and start selling faster.
Bottom Line: What This Means for Merchants
If you're a founder, marketer, or side hustler, here’s why this matters:
Pros:
- Setup time goes from days to minutes
- AI takes care of layout, copy, and visuals
- Built-in tools mean fewer freelancers or agencies
- Smart guidance keeps you moving forward
Things to Watch:
- You’ll still want to review the content for tone and accuracy
- Great prompts = better results
- Custom touches still help your store stand out
TL;DR
- Shopify’s AI Store Builder creates a complete storefront from a one-sentence description.
- Get 3 layouts with content, images, and structure—fully editable.
- New Horizon theme makes customization easy, no coding needed.
- Expanded Shopify Magic tools help with writing, images, and live guidance.
- Available now to anyone on a Basic plan or higher.