If you haven't already, create a new app in the Developer Portal⁠(opens in a new tab or window). For more information, refer to our Quickstart guide.
In your app's configuration on the Developer Portal⁠(opens in a new tab or window), ensure the "Development URL" is set to http://localhost:8080.

Clone the starter kit:

git clone https://github.com/canva-sdks/canva-apps-sdk-starter-kit.git
cd canva-apps-sdk-starter-kit

SHELL

Install dependencies:
```
npm install
```
SHELL
Run the example:
```
npm run start open_external_link
```
SHELL
Click the Preview URL link shown in the terminal to open the example in the Canva editor.

Example app source code

// For usage information, see the README.md file.
import { Button, Link, Rows, Text, Title } from "@canva/app-ui-kit";
import { requestOpenExternalUrl } from "@canva/platform";
import * as styles from "styles/components.css";

const DOCS_URL =
  "https://www.canva.dev/docs/apps/api/platform-request-open-external-url/";
const GUIDELINES_URL =
  "https://www.canva.dev/docs/apps/design-guidelines/external-links/";
const ACCEPTING_PAYMENTS_URL =
  "https://www.canva.dev/docs/apps/accepting-payments/";

export const App = () => {
  const openExternalUrl = async (url: string) => {
    // requestOpenExternalUrl requires user consent before opening external URLs
    // This ensures users are aware they're leaving the Canva environment
    const response = await requestOpenExternalUrl({
      url,
    });

    // Handle user consent response - users can abort the navigation
    if (response.status === "aborted") {
      // User decided not to navigate to the external link
      // In production apps, you might want to show feedback or alternative actions
    }
  };

  return (
    <div className={styles.scrollContainer}>
      <Rows spacing="1u">
        <Text>
          To learn more about how to open external URLs in your app, head over
          to the{" "}
          {/* Link component with requestOpenExternalUrl prop handles external navigation */}
          <Link
            href={DOCS_URL}
            requestOpenExternalUrl={() => openExternalUrl(DOCS_URL)}
            ariaLabel="Canva Apps SDK docs"
          >
            docs
          </Link>
          .
        </Text>
        <Title>Guidelines</Title>
        <Text>Be sure to check out the guidelines below</Text>
        <Button
          variant="secondary"
          onClick={() => openExternalUrl(GUIDELINES_URL)}
        >
          Design Guidelines
        </Button>
        <Button
          variant="secondary"
          onClick={() => openExternalUrl(ACCEPTING_PAYMENTS_URL)}
        >
          Payment links
        </Button>
      </Rows>
    </div>
  );
};

TYPESCRIPT

// For usage information, see the README.md file.
import { AppUiProvider } from "@canva/app-ui-kit";
import { createRoot } from "react-dom/client";
import { App } from "./app";
import "@canva/app-ui-kit/styles.css";

const root = createRoot(document.getElementById("root") as Element);
function render() {
  root.render(
    // AppUiProvider provides Canva's design system theming and accessibility features
    <AppUiProvider>
      <App />
    </AppUiProvider>,
  );
}

render();

// Hot Module Replacement for development (automatically reloads the app when changes are made)
if (module.hot) {
  module.hot.accept("./app", render);
}

TYPESCRIPT

# Open external links

Demonstrates how to handle external link navigation with proper user consent and security patterns. Shows the use of `requestOpenExternalUrl` API, user confirmation workflows, and compliance with external navigation guidelines.

For API reference docs and instructions on running this example, see: <https://www.canva.dev/docs/apps/examples/open-external-link/>.

NOTE: This example differs from what is expected for public apps to pass a Canva review:

- Error handling is simplified for demonstration purposes. Production apps must implement comprehensive error handling with clear user feedback and graceful failure modes when external URL requests fail
- Internationalization is not implemented. Production apps must support multiple languages using the `@canva/app-i18n-kit` package to pass Canva review requirements

MARKDOWN

API reference

Need help?

Join our Community Forum⁠(opens in a new tab or window)
Report issues with this example on GitHub⁠(opens in a new tab or window)