Build Plugins for ChatGPT

**TL;DR: Plugin Extensions let developers deeply embed custom tools, interfaces, and workflows into ChatGPT — enabling persistent sidebar entries, interactive panels alongside conversations, and other native-level experiences. They are built on top of MCP and MCP Apps.** ## What Are Plugin Extensions If you're building a plugin for ChatGPT, you need to know about Plugin Extensions. They allow you to integrate your product's interface more deeply into ChatGPT, helping you create richer, more interactive experiences. You can add custom tools, interfaces, and workflows that feel like native functionality. This goes far beyond embedding a webpage or displaying an Artifact. ## Interface Capabilities You Control Your plugin can have a persistent entry point in the sidebar, or display an interactive panel alongside an existing conversation. You control the layout, navigation, and interactions — deciding what content users can explore and how they interact with it. In fact, recently added sidebar features like code review and meeting notes were all built using this same plugin system. ### Design Editor Example Take a design editor that supports Plugin Extensions. You can open it from the sidebar and start editing, or place it alongside the conversation while simultaneously asking ChatGPT for help — keeping both workflows visible. Your extension connects these interactions with the conversation. If someone selects a portion of the design and asks, *"Can we try a different layout here?"*, the extension can tell ChatGPT which specific element is currently selected. You're building an experience inside ChatGPT that matches your product, team, or way of working. ## Customizable Extension Platform Capabilities As part of the extension platform, there are several customizable aspects: - **Post-installation onboarding flow** - **@ mentions in the input box** - **New controls and settings** The documentation covers these in greater detail. ## More Concrete Examples ### Meetings The meetings feature helps you record conversations and process meeting notes within ChatGPT. From the sidebar, you can select a meeting and ask, *"What decisions did we make, and what do I need to follow up on?"* After reviewing the next steps, you can ask ChatGPT to draft a follow-up email. This experience is also built on the same extension platform. ### OpenAI Developer Plugin The OpenAI Developer Plugin was built in Codex using Plugin Creator. You can open it from the sidebar to look up documentation, developer tools, and DevDay session content. ## New Patterns for Working with AI These examples showcase new patterns for working with AI — you can fluidly switch between navigating interfaces on your own and asking ChatGPT to assist. You can explore information and make choices, review results, and then decide what to do next. ## Technical Foundation and Getting Started Plugin Extensions are built on **MCP** and **MCP Apps**, so you can bring your product, tools, and interfaces into the same conversation. To start building your own plugin: 1. Pick a scenario where your users need help 2. Build a first version with Plugin Creator 3. Try it yourself, then iterate Source: Build Plugins for ChatGPT — OpenAI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiNhqbetrbU)