OpenAI Launches ChatGPT App Directory and Opens Apps SDK in Preview

OpenAI has launched a new App Directory for ChatGPT and opened its Apps SDK to developers, marking a major step toward turning ChatGPT into a full app platform. While OpenAI announced the feature earlier this year, it is now available in preview for ChatGPT Business, Enterprise, and Edu customers.

What the ChatGPT App Directory does

The new App Directory lets users browse all tools currently available inside ChatGPT. OpenAI has also rebranded what it previously called “connectors” into ChatGPT apps. These include built-in tools like file search and deep research, alongside third-party integrations.

ChatGPT apps allow users to interact with external services directly inside a conversation. You can request music, browse listings, make bookings, or run detailed research tasks without leaving ChatGPT. Some apps even display interactive UI elements such as maps, playlists, or curated results directly in the chat interface.

How users discover and use apps

Users can find apps through the new App Directory, access them using the “+” button inside a chat, or rely on ChatGPT to suggest relevant apps based on the conversation context. This approach makes app discovery more dynamic and task-focused.

Apps SDK opens to developers

OpenAI has released the Apps SDK in preview, allowing developers to build and test apps that integrate directly with ChatGPT’s conversational flow. These apps can connect to backend services, enable user login, and provide full functionality without sending users to external websites.

Early pilot partners include Booking.com, Canva, Coursera, Expedia, Spotify, and Zillow, with more integrations expected over time.

The App Directory and SDK signal a broader shift for ChatGPT. OpenAI now positions it as more than a chatbot, potentially functioning as an app platform where users complete tasks and access services in a single interface. You can read the official announcement on the OpenAI blog.

This isn’t the only new feature; and OpenAI launched GPT Image 1.5 recently, and a new GPT-5.2 model was added to Copilot 365, so if you haven’t tried those features, this is the perfect time.

Via The Verge