Introduction
In July 2025, Google announced a new no-code tool called Opal that lets you create AI-powered mini-apps. Opal automatically generates a visual workflow from natural language instructions, allowing you to build and share apps without writing a single line of code. This article provides a detailed overview of Opal’s features, use cases, competitive landscape, and future outlook.
What Is Opal?
Opal leverages a technique called “vibe-coding.” When you describe the operations or logic you want in natural language, the AI generates a workflow diagram based on your description. You can then edit that workflow with drag-and-drop, designing multi-step process chains without any programming.
Key Features
- Natural Language Interface
- Enter instructions like “Add customer inquiries to a spreadsheet and notify Slack,” and Opal visualizes each step automatically.
- Visual Workflow Editor
- Displays inputs, AI model calls, external tool integrations as nodes; parameters can be edited intuitively.
- Template Gallery
- A rich library of demo templates you can customize to fit your needs.
- Sharing
- Publish and share your mini-app via a URL; collaborators can test it immediately with their Google account.
Use Cases
- Task Automation / RPA Replacement
Build your own data aggregation and notification flows to automate repetitive tasks. - Prototyping
Quickly prototype mini-apps during ideation and share demos with stakeholders. - Educational Use
Let non-programmers learn logic design visually by building simple workflows.
Competitive Tool Comparison
| Tool | Coding Required? | Workflow Visualization | AI Integration | Sharing Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opal | No | Robust | Google AI | URL share |
| Canva App | No | Partial | Limited | Gallery publication |
| Figma Plugins | No | Plugin-dependent | Partial | Project share |
| Replit (Ghostwriter) | Yes | Code-centric | Code completion | Git integration |
Opal stands out by combining natural language input with visual editing, enabling non-engineers to build apps intuitively.
Limitations
- U.S.-Only Beta
Currently available only to Google Labs participants in the United States. Japanese rollout date is unannounced. - No Custom Domains
Public URLs are Google-generated; custom domains are not yet supported. - Restricted External Model Integration
Only Google’s internal AI models are supported; you cannot import external models.
Future Outlook
- Multilingual Support: Add Japanese UI and documentation.
- Enterprise Integration: Deepen integration with BigQuery and Workspace APIs.
- Plugin Framework: Enable support for external AI models and third-party tools.
These enhancements are expected to drive further adoption in business and education.
Conclusion
Opal seamlessly bridges “natural language → visual workflow,” enabling you to turn ideas into working mini-apps instantly. Although currently in U.S.-only beta, anticipation is high for its launch in Japan. Be sure to try it out once it’s released!