Canva Code 2.0 launches visual editing interface with HTML imports and collaborative features

Canva released Canva Code 2.0, adding visual editing capabilities, HTML imports, and real-time collaboration to its AI-powered coding platform. The update allows users to build websites, apps, and interactive experiences using natural language prompts, then edit them visually within Canva's standard editor.

Key features

Canva Code 2.0 includes three primary methods to start projects: natural language prompts, selection from 50+ new templates, or HTML imports from other AI platforms and assistants. The HTML import feature enables users to continue work on pages created with competing AI coding tools.

The platform integrates directly with Canva's design editor, allowing users to manually adjust code output using familiar design controls. Users can drag images from Canva's built-in library, modify colors and fonts through the toolbar, edit text directly by clicking sections, or refine elements using conversational AI commands.

Collaboration and publishing

The update adds real-time collaboration features, enabling team members to work simultaneously on coding projects. The platform maintains integration with Canva's brand kit system, designed to keep outputs consistent with existing brand guidelines.

Publishing options include connecting custom domains or using free Canva-hosted domains. According to Canva, all outputs are fully interactive, automatically responsive across screen sizes, and include mobile preview capabilities before publication.

Technical context

Canva Code 2.0 builds on Canva AI 2.0, announced earlier this year. The broader AI platform uses Canva's Proteus, Lucid Origin, and I2V generative models for image and video creation, alongside conversational interfaces for design automation.

The visual editing approach differs from pure code-generation tools by combining AI-generated code with drag-and-drop design controls within a single interface.

What this means

Canva Code 2.0 represents a convergence between traditional visual design tools and AI code generation. The HTML import feature directly targets users of competing AI coding platforms, offering a migration path into Canva's ecosystem. The visual editing capability addresses a common friction point in AI coding tools: users who can describe what they want but struggle to manually edit generated code. By allowing both conversational AI refinement and direct visual manipulation, Canva targets designers who need coding capabilities without full programming knowledge.