Opal

Opal is a Google Labs experiment for building and sharing AI mini-apps using natural language and a visual workflow editor. The experimental service will shut down on November 17, 2026. Saved workflow files remain in Google Drive, but interactive workflows will stop running.

Key Highlights

• Describe a mini-app and edit its workflow visually
• Workflows combine prompts, models, and tools
• Access is available in the countries listed by Google
• Shutdown date: November 17, 2026
• Saved files remain in the Drive Opal folder
• Existing workflows do not migrate automatically

What Makes It Different

Opal combined prompt-based editing with a visual view of workflow steps. Its experiment informed skills in Gemini, but skills are not an automatic continuation of existing Opal mini-apps. Treat the two as distinct experiences when planning what to preserve.

Features & Capabilities

Before shutdown, users can open workflows and copy prompts or custom instructions they want to keep. After shutdown, saved workflow files can still be downloaded from Google Drive and opened in a plain text editor to retrieve prompt text. Keeping the file does not keep the interactive app running.

Google points to skills in Gemini for reusable chat instructions and to Google AI Studio for deeper prompt experiments and prototyping. Recreating a workflow requires setting up the relevant prompts and behavior manually. Check the destination's capabilities rather than assuming every Opal step has a direct equivalent.

User Ratings and Testimonials

Experiences with the experiment can help explain its design, but do not promise continued execution after November 17. Test any replacement with the inputs and outputs your workflow needs.

Pricing & Value

The main consideration is the service's remaining lifetime. Do not build a long-term plan around uninterrupted Opal access. Pricing, access eligibility, and usage limits for Google AI Studio or Gemini are separate from the Opal experiment.