ChatGPT Apps SDK lets 800 M users run apps in‑chat without extra installs
I saw the headline about the new ChatGPT Apps SDK and thought, “finally, we might actually run real apps right inside a chat.” OpenAI says the SDK lets its roughly 800 million users fire up things like playlists, course enrollments or even house-search queries without opening another tab or installing anything. In theory a single conversation could replace a handful of separate tools - you type, you get a playlist, you click “play,” you’re done. That sounds handy, especially for folks who hate juggling windows.
But the details are thin. The blog post that introduced it simply asks, “How to Access ChatGPT Apps SDK?” and then leaves us hanging. It’s unclear what developers need to do to start building these in-chat apps, or what the exact steps are for users to enable them.
If the promise holds up, we could see a lot less friction - no downloads, no tab-hopping - which might make everyday workflows a bit smoother for a massive audience. Still, until the docs show up, we’re left guessing how easy it will really be to make this work.
This new Apps SDK allows users to interact with actual applications right in chat and does not require any additional installations or opening a new tab. Among ChatGPT’s 800 million users, tasks like creating playlists, taking courses, or looking for real estate to buy can now all happen in a single conversation. In this article, I will tell you everything about Apps SDK and how to access it.
The Apps SDK is an open-source toolkit from OpenAI that is built on the MCP, allowing developers to create conversational apps that run directly inside ChatGPT. Rather than solely answering questions, ChatGPT can actively engage with third-party apps,retrieving data, generating tasks, and providing interactive features that seamlessly integrate into conversation. Available in preview, the SDK facilitates the development, testing and deployment of apps in a simple way.
It provides an easy, secure and scalable means for distribution of apps inside ChatGPT for developers at startups and at established organizations.
Will anyone actually use the new Apps SDK? OpenAI showed it off at DevDay, saying the 800 million-strong ChatGPT crowd can now fire third-party apps right inside a chat - no install, no extra tab. The pitch sounds neat: you could spin up a playlist, sign up for a class, even hunt for a house without leaving the conversation.
Still, the demo left a lot out. It’s not clear how developers will bundle their services or whether the speed will match what you get from a native app. And we don’t really know if today’s privacy and security rules will cover code that runs inside a chat window.
For users, fewer context switches is tempting, but whether the flow feels truly smooth will probably hinge on the first few builds. OpenAI also kept pricing and revenue-share details under wraps, so developers are left guessing if it makes financial sense. Maybe future updates will smooth out the integration bumps, but for now the real test will be the numbers that actually show up.
In short, the SDK widens what ChatGPT can do, yet whether people will adopt it and stay happy remains an open question.
Further Reading
- OpenAI launches apps inside of ChatGPT - TechCrunch
- Introducing apps in ChatGPT and the new Apps SDK - OpenAI
- OpenAI Apps SDK: How Developers Bring Services Into ChatGPT - Skywork AI
- ChatGPT Apps (2025): An Accessible Guide - Macaron AI
- OpenAI Just Dropped ChatGPT Apps SDK: Massive Upgrade! - AI Revolution (YouTube)
More in LLMs & Generative AI
Google pushes Gemini rollout to 2026, delays Android Assistant swap
Why does this matter now? For years, Android users have expected a smooth handoff from the familiar...
OpenAI now adds tone controls and streamlined email editing to ChatGPT
OpenAI just rolled out a set of tweaks that feel oddly personal for a chatbot. While the core model...
Google releases FunctionGemma, a tiny model for natural‑language mobile control
Here's the thing: mobile phones are the most common computing platform, yet most AI assistants...
Chinese scammers used AI images for refund fraud; police held buyer eight days
When a shopper in Shanghai posted a video of a defective product, the footage looked...
Gemini pulls Google Calendar data to auto‑suggest meeting times in email replies
Why does this matter? In a flood of AI shortcuts that promise to shave minutes off daily tasks,...
Common Questions Answered
What is the ChatGPT Apps SDK and how does it work?
The ChatGPT Apps SDK is an open-source toolkit from OpenAI built on the MCP that allows users to interact with real applications directly within a chat conversation. It eliminates the need for any additional installations or opening new browser tabs, enabling tasks to be completed seamlessly in a single interface.
What specific tasks can users perform using the Apps SDK inside ChatGPT?
Users can perform a variety of tasks such as creating playlists, enrolling in courses, and searching for real estate to buy directly within the ChatGPT conversation. These activities, which previously required separate tools or applications, can now all be handled through a single chat flow using the SDK.
How does the Apps SDK benefit ChatGPT's 800 million users?
The Apps SDK benefits the 800 million ChatGPT users by providing immediate access to third-party applications without any installation or tab switching. This integration streamlines workflows and allows complex tasks to be managed efficiently within the familiar chat environment.
What platform is the ChatGPT Apps SDK built upon?
The ChatGPT Apps SDK is built on the MCP (Model Context Protocol), which serves as its foundational technology. This open-source toolkit leverages MCP to enable seamless integration and interaction with various applications directly within the chat interface.