OpenAI is inviting developers to start building apps that live inside ChatGPT itself. The company has launched a formal submission process for third-party applications, which will be vetted and then made available through a dedicated in-product directory within the chat interface.
The move transforms ChatGPT from a standalone conversational tool into something closer to an app platform. Approved applications will sit alongside ChatGPT's core features, letting users discover and access new functionality without leaving the conversation.
To support this expansion, OpenAI has rolled out fresh developer resources, including an updated Apps SDK and new technical guidelines. These tools are designed to help builders create what the company calls "chat-native experiences," which means apps that feel natural within ChatGPT's conversational flow rather than bolted on.
The framework emphasizes bringing real-world actions into ChatGPT, suggesting the company envisions developers creating apps that do more than just talk. This could mean integrations with productivity tools, commerce platforms, or any service that benefits from tighter connection to an AI assistant.
The submission and review process signals OpenAI is taking a curated approach rather than an open free-for-all. This gatekeeping could slow adoption but also protects users from low-quality or malicious apps. Whether it accelerates or hinders developer interest remains to be seen.
Author Emily Chen: "OpenAI is betting that making ChatGPT a platform, not just a tool, keeps it sticky and relevant as competition heats up."
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