Google adds a way to create automated workflows to Opal

Save up to $680 on your pass with Super Early Bird rates. REGISTER NOW.Save up to $680 on your Disrupt 2026 pass. Ends February 27. REGISTER NOW. Latest AI Amazon Apps Biotech & Health Climate Cloud Computing Commerce Crypto Enterprise EVs Fintech Fundraising Gadgets Gaming Google Government & Policy Hardware Instagram Layoffs Media & Entertainment Meta Microsoft Privacy Robotics Security Social Space Startups TikTok Transportation Venture Staff Events Startup Battlefield StrictlyVC Newsletters Podcasts Videos Partner Content TechCrunch Brand Studio Crunchboard Contact Us Google on Tuesday announced it’s adding a new way to create automated workflows to its vibe-coding app Opal. The company said that a new agent being introduced in Opal will allow users to create mini-apps that can let them plan and execute tasks using text prompts.The feature uses the Gemini 3 Flash model and automatically chooses tools to execute tasks. For instance, it can use Google Sheets to maintain memory across sessions, such as a shopping list for an e-commerce-related app. The new agent creates and plans the next step for the tasks on its own.Google said these agents are natively interactive, which means that if they need more information, they would ask users to enter it or offer them choices to determine next steps, if needed. With this addition, users without technical knowledge could build complex workflows within their apps, the company claims.Opal was first introduced for U.S. users in July 2025. The tool lets anyone create mini web apps or remix existing apps. In October 2025, the company rolled out Opal to users in 15 more countries, including Canada, India, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, Brazil, and Singapore. And in December, Google added the tool to the Gemini web app, allowing users to create custom apps through a visual editor without writing any code.Beyond Google, many other startups are also building tools that let users build apps via natural language prompts. Lovable and Replit are among the more popular ones, but other startups like former Replika founder’s Wabi, SoftBank and Lightspeed-backed Emergent, and Accel-backed Rocket.new are also gaining prominence.TopicsIvan covers global consumer tech developments at TechCrunch. He is based out of India and has previously worked at publications including Huffington Post and The Next Web.You can contact or verify outreach from Ivan by emailing im@ivanmehta.com or via encrypted message at ivan.42 on Signal.Save up to $680 on your pass before February 27.Meet investors. Discover your next portfolio company. Hear from 250+ tech leaders, dive into 200+ sessions, and explore 300+ startups building what’s next. Don’t miss these one-time savings. Bill Gurley says that right now, the worst thing you can do for your career is play it safe The 9,000-pound monster I don’t want to give back Sam Altman would like to remind you that humans use a lot of energy, too Google VP warns that two types of AI startups may not survive Great news for xAI: Grok is now pretty good at answering questions about Baldur’s Gate FBI says ATM ‘jackpotting’ attacks are on the rise, and netting hackers millions in stolen cash A startup called Germ becomes the first private messenger that launches directly from Bluesky’s app © 2026 TechCrunch Media LLC.