On October 13, 2026, Shopify announced Sidekick in its checkout and accounts editor. The assistant answers configuration questions and helps users find the relevant settings. The company also described guidance for planning blocks and functions in Checkout Blocks.
Who this helps
A small-shop owner who maintains post-purchase pages without remembering where every block is configured. The practical use of this update is to start by understanding the existing setup before changing it.
What the assistant sees
According to Shopify’s documentation, this capability is desktop-only. Sidekick reads saved settings, not unsaved edits. In this editor, it cannot edit, save or publish the configuration. The user does that.
Open Settings → Checkout → Configurations → Edit, then the Sidekick icon. The editor simulates checkout; it cannot place an actual order.
A cautious first try
Our recommendation: choose one page and first ask for an explanation of its existing blocks. Compare the answer with the settings. Record the current setup before a manual change and check the result before launch. Do not save unreviewed changes merely to make them visible to the assistant.
Access and limits
AI guidance does not remove plan restrictions. In Checkout Blocks, Basic and higher plans support static and dynamic content blocks only on the Thank you and Order status pages. The app’s other features require Shopify Plus.
Takeaway: use the new guidance to understand settings; your team remains responsible for changes and checks. We have not tested the feature in a store or measured time savings.
