OpenAI Launches ChatGPT App Directory and SDK, Recasting ChatGPT as a Full-Fledged Platform

OpenAI is making its clearest move yet to transform ChatGPT from a conversational tool into a platform where entire digital experiences can live and operate.

On Wednesday, the company unveiled a ChatGPT App Directory, giving users a centralized hub to discover and use third-party tools directly inside ChatGPT. Alongside it, OpenAI released an Apps Software Development Kit (SDK), opening the door for developers to build interactive applications that run natively within ChatGPT’s interface.

Together, the launches mark a major shift in how OpenAI positions ChatGPT, not just as an AI assistant, but as a foundation for a broader ecosystem of services.

From Chatbot to Platform

The announcement follows earlier remarks by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who said the company intends to add “the obvious features you would expect for a robust platform over time.” An in-app directory is one of those defining features, signaling OpenAI’s ambition to make ChatGPT a primary workspace rather than a stopover for quick answers.

With the new directory, users can browse, activate, and use apps without leaving their conversations, blurring the line between chat and task execution.

Connectors Become Apps

As part of the rollout, OpenAI has rebranded its existing “connectors” as apps, unifying how external tools are presented inside ChatGPT.

Under the new structure:

• Chat connectors are now apps with file search

• Deep research connectors are now apps with deep research

• Synced connectors are now apps with sync

Some apps may also draw on ChatGPT’s Memory feature, if users have it enabled, to deliver more personalized experiences. OpenAI notes that for Free, Plus, Go, and Pro users, certain data may be used to train its models when the “improve the model for everyone” setting is turned on.

What the Apps SDK Unlocks

For developers, the new Apps SDK (currently in beta) formalizes ChatGPT as an application platform. Teams can now submit apps through OpenAI’s developer portal for review, using provided design libraries, sample projects, and detailed documentation.

Once approved, apps can be launched globally or restricted to specific regions. OpenAI says the initial batch of approved apps will be released gradually over the coming year.

Inside ChatGPT, apps can be launched by:

• Selecting them from the tools menu

• Mentioning them directly by name in a conversation

OpenAI is also testing contextual app suggestions, where ChatGPT recommends relevant apps based on what the user is trying to accomplish.

Payments, Privacy, and Guardrails

Monetization remains external for now. Developers must direct users outside ChatGPT to complete payments, particularly for physical goods. OpenAI says it is actively testing payment integrations and plans to support digital products and subscriptions in future updates.

Privacy and safety are key conditions of participation. Every app must include a transparent privacy policy and request only essential data. Before connecting an app, users are shown exactly what information will be shared and can disconnect at any time.

Why It Matters

By embedding an app directory directly into ChatGPT, OpenAI is betting that conversations can become the primary interface for digital work. Early use cases include travel booking, music discovery, design tools, property searches, and productivity workflows.

Instead of jumping between websites and apps, users can now complete tasks, from ordering groceries to turning outlines into slide decks,  without ever leaving ChatGPT.

The move places OpenAI on a trajectory similar to major platform builders before it: search engines evolving into ecosystems, operating systems becoming marketplaces, and messaging apps turning into super-apps. With the App Directory and SDK now live, ChatGPT is no longer just answering questions, it’s becoming the place where work gets done.