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Shopify AI Agent: How to Build It to Automate Customer Support

Shopify AI agent cover
Written by: Jelisaveta Sapardic
Updated:

If you’re running a Shopify store, you already know how much time goes into answering customer questions about orders, products, and shipping. That kind of work adds up quickly, especially when your team is juggling chats across different channels. 

The good news is that, with a proper Shopify integration, you can automate those repetitive tasks. That’s thanks to the AI agent that works right inside your store setup. It’s a simple way to respond faster and reduce abandoned carts without extra tools or complex workflows. And with over 4 million Shopify stores out there, staying competitive means finding ways to work smarter.

In this article, we’ll show you how to set up a Shopify AI agent, what you can do with it, and why it’s a smart move for growing ecommerce teams.

Let Lyro take over support so your store never slows down

Learn more about AI chatbots

What is a Shopify AI agent?

A Shopify AI agent is a virtual assistant that helps you handle customer support on autopilot. It activates from within your store’s chat widget and answers questions about orders, products, shipping, and more, without needing a human to jump in.

It works in real time, so your customers get quick replies while they browse your website. Whether someone’s asking about delivery times or looking for a specific product, the AI agent can respond naturally and offer personalized suggestions. It can even trigger workflows like order edits or refunds. In short, it’s like having an extra support teammate who never sleeps.

An example of Shopify AI agent recommending products.

Why use an AI agent in your Shopify store?

Customers expect quick answers, even outside business hours. A well-set-up AI agent keeps things moving by handling routine questions and helping shoppers before they drop off. With the right setup, it also helps boost sales and reduce the load on your team.

Let’s take a closer look at what Shopify AI agents bring to the table:

Benefits of using Shopify AI agents in an online store.
  • Save time by automating FAQs and product questions: an AI agent can take over repetitive requests like order tracking or product availability. Tidio’s data shows that Lyro AI Agent achieved a success rate between 79% and 87% without needing a human hand.
  • Increase conversions with proactive chats: instead of letting carts go cold, AI can reach out when someone’s hesitating. With nearly 70% of carts abandoned on average, catching those moments can bring more sales.
  • Improve customer satisfaction by offering instant help: People expect quick replies. In fact, a study found that 83% of consumers want immediate help when reaching out, and AI makes that possible even when your team is offline.

Your AI agent for Shopify: what it does and how to use it

A Shopify store runs better when conversations don’t get in the way of conversions. An AI agent helps by keeping customers engaged at the right moments and making it easier for them to find what they need. 

By using a tool like Tidio, you can bring that support into your storefront without changing how you work. The setup is simple, and once active, the virtual agent steps in where it’s needed most, whether that means answering product questions or guiding shoppers down the sales funnel.

How Tidio makes AI work inside Shopify

With Tidio, your Shopify AI agent lives right inside your support panel. Lyro, the AI engine behind it, pulls data from your store to answer questions and suggest products on the fly. 

You can manage orders without switching tools and send rich product previews directly in chat. If someone asks about a refund, changing a delivery address, or checking stock, Lyro can help or hand it off to your team with context already attached.

Example of Lyro Shopify AI agent showing product availability.

Ways to automate support and sales

You don’t have to build flows from scratch unless you want to. Tidio gives you a wide variety of chatbot templates tailored for ecommerce, from delivery tracking to cart recovery. 

You can also create custom flows using simple drag-and-drop blocks. Just set up rules for when someone adds an item to their cart or looks at a certain page, and your pre-set flow will come in with the right message or offer. Whether it’s a discount or a product recommendation, you stay ahead without lifting a finger.

An example of a Tidio flow created using an Upsell template, urging a user to buy a specific item.

Read more: Here are the best Shopify chatbot apps available.

Use case example

Shockbyte, a game server provider, saw firsthand how automation can reduce support workload and drive results. The team needed a scalable way to manage recurring questions without sacrificing customer experience. With Tidio, they introduced chatbot flows that instantly handled the most common queries, speeding up replies and keeping things moving during peak hours.

Shockbyte using Tidio to handle most common user queries.

Their team also used automation features to support sales, identifying visitors browsing specific product pages and starting chats to guide them toward a purchase. After switching to Tidio, Shockbyte reported a 16% boost in customer satisfaction and a 26% drop in wait times. This is proof that the right setup can make support smoother and more impactful.

With a Shopify-connected store, you can achieve similar results by combining Lyro’s product recommendations with real-time messaging.

Read more: Learn how to build a product recommendation chatbot with ease.

Put a Lyro Shopify AI agent on duty and watch response times vanish

Learn more about AI chatbots

How to set up Tidio with Shopify

Getting an AI agent up and running on your Shopify store is simple, and you have more than one way to do it. 

Here’s how:

Install from the Shopify App Store

The easiest way to connect Tidio is to add it directly from the Shopify App Store. Once installed, you’ll be guided through setup, where you can customize your widget and connect Lyro to your store’s content and customer data.

The process of connecting Tidio directly from the Shopify store.

Alternate option: use JavaScript for a manual setup

If you prefer a slightly more advanced route, you can manually install the software using a JavaScript snippet. This gives you the same functionality, including Shopify-compatible flows and integrations.

The process of connecting Tidio to Shopify using JavaScript code.

Activate the chat in your theme

To make the Shopify live chat widget visible, head to your Shopify theme settings. Open the App embeds tab and toggle on the Tidio Chat Widget. This needs to be re-enabled anytime you switch your theme, so it’s worth keeping in mind.

Tidio chat widget toggle is enabled.

Read more: Check out the best Shopify plugins on the web.

Tips to get the most out of your Shopify AI agent

Once your AI agent is up and running on Shopify, it’s worth taking a few extra steps to make sure it’s doing the heavy lifting. With the right setup, you can turn it into a helpful, conversion-friendly tool that supports both your team and your customers.
Below are a few ways to unlock more value from your Shopify AI agent:

Focus on real customer intent, not just keywords

The best AI agents understand what customers are really asking, even when questions come in different forms. Training your agent with content like FAQs or product descriptions helps it give more relevant answers.

Lyro pulls this kind of information directly from your help center, product pages, or uploaded files. Instead of matching phrases, it responds based on context, which means shoppers get answers that actually make sense for their situation.

Enabling Lyro to use the knowledge from Shopify products.

Read more: Learn how to create a solid knowledge base chatbot for your needs. 

Automate common scenarios where customers drop off

Moments like cart abandonment or confusion around delivery times are common reasons people leave without buying. Automating support around these points helps keep visitors engaged and gives them reasons to stay.

Tidio makes this easy with flows that trigger based on actions like cart exits or certain keywords. Whether it’s sharing a discount or checking delivery zones, you can guide users at the right moment without lifting a finger.

Read more: Here’s all you should know about live chat triggers.

Make sure your agent grows with your store

As your product line or support needs change, your AI agent should adapt. That means keeping content up to date, adjusting flows, and using tools that let you scale support.

With Lyro, updates to your product catalog or help docs are automatically reflected in its responses. You can also fine-tune flows, add new triggers, or use templates to match evolving needs—no code required. It’s built to grow as your Shopify store does.

An example of Lyro task template being used to give info about a discount code.

Try Tidio’s Shopify AI agent 

A well-integrated AI agent helps your store stay responsive, even when your team is off the clock. It answers product questions, assists with orders, and keeps shoppers from slipping away. 

Tidio gives you full control over how support works in your store, from managing conversations to personalizing product suggestions. You can combine AI-powered responses with live chat, automate common flows, and use AI agent Lyro to respond to common questions with no need to juggle multiple tools.

Start using Tidio with your Shopify store as soon as today and make support easier for your team and faster for your customers.

Put a Lyro Shopify AI agent on duty and watch response times vanish

Learn more about AI chatbots

Jelisaveta Sapardic
Jelisaveta Sapardic

Jelisaveta is a Content Writer at Tidio with a background in language and technology. She creates clear, research-backed content that helps SMBs improve customer interactions, streamline support, and stay ahead of industry trends.