Google tests new AI coding tool Opal, letting users build web apps with text prompts

Google is testing a new AI-powered coding tool called Opal, which is currently available in the U.S. through Google Labs. The app, part of a growing trend in "vibe-coding," allows users to create simple web applications using text prompts or by remixing existing apps from a gallery. Users simply describe the app they want to build, and Opal leverages various Google models to generate the necessary code. Once an app is created, users can access an editor panel that displays the visual workflow of input, output, and generation steps. Each step can be clicked to view and modify the associated prompt, offering greater control over the development process. Additionally, users can manually add new steps using Opal’s toolbar. The tool also enables users to publish their created apps online and share the link with others, who can then test and interact with the app using their own Google accounts. This feature highlights Opal’s potential to support collaboration and testing without requiring deep technical expertise. While Google already has an AI studio that allows developers to build apps with prompts, Opal’s visual workflow interface suggests the company is aiming to make app development more accessible to a broader audience, including those with limited coding experience. This aligns with a trend among tech companies to create tools that empower non-technical users to build digital products. Opal joins a growing list of platforms, such as Canva, Figma, and Replit, that are developing tools to simplify app creation. These tools reflect an increasing focus on lowering the barriers to entry for software development and enabling more people to participate in the AI-driven innovation landscape.