Google Opal Comes to Gemini: Build AI Mini Apps Without Coding

Google has quietly taken a major step toward making AI app creation mainstream. The company has integrated Opal, its no-code AI mini app builder, directly into the Gemini web platform, allowing users to create functional AI tools without writing a single line of code and without leaving Gemini.

Image credits to Google

This move expands Opal from a standalone experiment into a core part of Google’s AI ecosystem. Users who already rely on Gemini for research, writing, or analysis can now build reusable AI-powered mini apps inside the same interface, turning ideas into working tools in minutes.

The integration signals Google’s growing focus on democratizing app creation and reducing the gap between idea and execution.

TLDR

• Google Opal is now integrated into Gemini, allowing users to build AI-powered mini apps without coding
• Users can create reusable workflows using plain language and visual steps
• Opal is designed for non-technical users, teams, and fast prototyping
• The tool is still experimental, best suited for productivity and automation tasks

What Opal Actually Does

At its core, Opal converts plain language instructions into working AI applications. Instead of coding logic, users describe what they want the app to do. Opal then builds a complete workflow that uses Google’s AI models to perform those tasks.

For example, a user might ask Opal to:

• Analyze a topic and generate structured content
• Summarize long documents and extract insights
• Create social media posts from a single brief
• Compare products or competitors and generate reports

Once created, these apps are not static prompts. They are interactive tools that can be reused, edited, and shared.

What makes Opal different is how it visualizes logic. Instead of showing code, Opal displays a visual workflow, where each step represents an action such as text generation, image creation, or data processing. Users can click into any step to tweak prompts, reorder actions, or refine outputs.

How Opal Works Inside Gemini

With this update, Opal is available as an experimental Gem inside Gemini’s web interface. Users can access it through the Gems manager, alongside other specialized Gemini tools.

From there, users can:

• Start from scratch using natural language
• Explore prebuilt demo apps created by Google Labs
• Remix existing Gems into custom workflows

Google has optimized Opal for Gemini by adding clearer step breakdowns. A written instruction is automatically converted into a structured workflow, making it easier to understand and edit how the app works.

For advanced users who want deeper control, Opal still offers an expanded editor on its standalone platform. However, for most users, everything needed to build and run mini apps now lives comfortably inside Gemini.

What “AI-Powered Mini App Builder” Really Means

Despite the name, Opal is not about creating small or trivial tools. These mini apps are focused, task-specific AI workflows designed to solve real problems efficiently.

Think of them as purpose-built AI tools, not traditional apps with user interfaces and databases. Each app does one job well and runs entirely on Google’s infrastructure.

The “AI-powered” aspect means that these apps rely on Gemini for reasoning, generation, and interpretation, rather than hard-coded logic. This allows them to handle flexible inputs and complex instructions in a way traditional automation tools cannot.

The “mini” aspect refers to scope, not capability. Opal apps are not meant to replace full software platforms. They are designed for automation, productivity, and internal workflows.

Who Opal Is Built For

Google has clearly designed Opal for non-technical users first.

This includes:

• Marketers automating content workflows
• Researchers summarizing and organizing information
• Business professionals creating internal tools
• Educators and students building study aids
• Small business owners streamlining daily tasks

For developers, Opal serves a different purpose. It acts as a rapid prototyping tool, allowing ideas to be tested quickly before committing to full development.

The only real requirement is the ability to clearly explain what you want the app to do.

Key Features and Capabilities

Opal focuses on simplicity without sacrificing power.

Its standout features include:

• Visual workflow editor that replaces code with connected steps
• Deep integration with Google’s AI models, including Gemini for text and reasoning and Imagen for image generation
• Built-in debugging tools that show where workflows fail
• Instant hosting and deployment, handled entirely by Google
• Shareable apps, accessible through simple links
• Remix functionality, allowing users to customize existing apps

Because everything runs on Google’s infrastructure, users do not need to manage servers, APIs, or authentication systems.

Current Limitations to Be Aware Of

Opal is still experimental, and that comes with important constraints.

Right now:

• Conditional logic is limited, meaning true decision-based workflows are not fully supported
• External database and API integrations are restricted
• Bulk processing and looping actions are not native features
• Advanced security controls and authentication options are unavailable

Opal is best suited for personal productivity tools, internal workflows, and experimentation, not large-scale or mission-critical applications.

Google has also separated Opal activity from Gemini’s main app history, meaning apps built with Opal do not automatically appear in standard Gemini usage logs.

How Opal Compares to Other AI App Builders

Compared to OpenAI GPTs, Opal is more structured. GPTs excel at conversational experiences, while Opal focuses on step-based workflows and repeatable automation.

Against Microsoft Copilot Studio, Opal is more accessible. Copilot Studio is heavily enterprise-focused and tied to Microsoft’s ecosystem. Opal is browser-based, consumer-friendly, and currently free.

Many startups offer no-code AI builders, but most are paid platforms or rely on a single AI model. Opal’s advantage lies in multi-model access, ease of use, and tight Gemini integration.

Availability and Rollout

Opal is now available globally through the Gemini web interface. Users only need a Google account to access it during the experimental phase.

At present:

• The feature is available on desktop web
• Mobile support may arrive later
• Pricing has not been announced

For now, Opal remains free while Google gathers feedback and refines functionality.

Why This Launch Is Important

By bringing Opal into Gemini, Google is signaling that building AI tools should be as easy as describing them.

Instead of forcing users to jump between platforms, Google is turning Gemini into:

• A research assistant
• A creative tool
• And now, an AI app builder

This keeps users inside Google’s ecosystem while making Gemini more valuable with every new use case.

It also reflects a broader industry shift toward natural language software creation, where ideas matter more than technical skills.

What This Means for the Future of AI Development

Opal does not replace developers. It changes who gets to build.

As tools like Opal mature, more people will expect to:

• Automate work without learning to code
• Build internal tools independently
• Turn ideas into functional apps instantly

Professional development will still be essential for complex systems, but no-code AI builders will become the default for everyday automation.

Google’s decision to embed Opal directly into Gemini shows that this future is closer than many expected.

The gap between describing a solution and deploying it is shrinking fast. Opal is one of the clearest signs yet that conversational app creation is becoming the new normal.

Read OpenAI Hires New Head of App Platform to Turn ChatGPT Into an AI Operating System

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Google Opal in simple terms?

Google Opal is a no-code AI tool that lets you create small AI-powered apps by simply describing what you want them to do. You don’t need programming knowledge or technical setup.

How is Opal different from normal Gemini prompts?

A Gemini prompt gives you a one-time answer. Opal creates reusable workflows, meaning you can turn a prompt into a repeatable tool that works the same way every time.

Do I need coding or technical skills to use Opal?

No. Opal is built for non-technical users. If you can explain a task in plain English, you can build an app with it.

What kind of apps can I build using Opal?

You can build content generators, research assistants, summarization tools, analysis workflows, social media helpers, and productivity automations. It’s best for focused, task-specific tools.

Is Opal available inside Gemini for everyone?

Yes. Opal is currently available as an experimental Gem inside the Gemini web interface for users with a Google account.

Can I share apps created with Opal?

Yes. Opal apps can be shared via a link, allowing others to use or remix them with their own Google accounts.

Does Opal use only Gemini, or other Google AI models too?

Opal can use Gemini for text and reasoning, Imagen for images, and other Google AI models, depending on the workflow you build.

Is Opal free to use right now?

Yes. Opal is free during its experimental phase. Google has not announced pricing yet.

What are the current limitations of Opal?

Opal does not yet support advanced decision logic, external databases, complex integrations, or enterprise-level security features. It’s designed for lightweight workflows, not full-scale apps.

Is Opal meant to replace developers or software engineers?

No. Opal is meant to empower non-developers and speed up prototyping. Complex, large-scale applications will still require professional development.