OpenAI Introduces In-App Store for ChatGPT

OpenAI launches app store for ChatGPT, enabling developers to deploy products within the chatbot.

OpenAI has launched an app store for ChatGPT, allowing developers to deploy their own products within the chatbot by submitting an application.

The first approved solutions will be available in 2026. The most popular tools may receive priority in search results or recommendations from the AI.

Users can explore available options in the app catalog, located in the “Tools” menu or on the website chatgpt.com/apps.

Developers can place direct links on external platforms to redirect users straight to the app page in the catalog.

Once connected, applications are activated during dialogue using @. The company is experimenting with displaying them without mentions — based on the conversation context, usage patterns of third-party solutions, and user preferences.

To create such integrations, OpenAI has introduced the Apps SDK. This toolkit allows for embedding context and active actions directly into the ChatGPT interface.

“The most powerful apps have a clear focus, are intuitive in chat, and provide clear value, either by completing real workflows that start with a discussion or by creating new, fully AI-oriented opportunities within ChatGPT,” the startup’s blog states.

In the early stages, developers will be allowed to redirect users to external resources for the payment of physical goods. Additional monetization options are being explored.

“Over time, we want apps in ChatGPT to be perceived as a natural extension of dialogue — helping people move from ideas to actions and forming a sustainable ecosystem for developers,” noted OpenAI.

In October, Sam Altman’s company introduced the ability to create apps within ChatGPT. This enabled users to interact directly with services like Booking.com, Expedia, Spotify, Figma, Coursera, Zillow, Canva, and others.

In December, the chatbot added tools from Adobe: Photoshop, Acrobat, and Express. Users can create designs and edit images and PDF files directly within the chatbot interface.

Code Red — Not a New Phenomenon

Competition from Google and other AI companies prompted Altman to declare a “code red.”

It turns out this decision is not unprecedented. The startup’s management had previously required employees to set aside secondary tasks and focus entirely on the main goal.

“We do this when we want to concentrate efforts on one specific topic,” said OpenAI’s Director of Research, Mark Chen.

The latest “code red” was declared amid the rising popularity of solutions from Google and Anthropic. Gemini is becoming an increasingly sought-after AI service, nearing ChatGPT in popularity.

In November, Google unveiled its flagship model Gemini 3, which is “considered the best in the world.” Later, the company released a new version of its image generation tool — Nano Banana Pro.

Since the “code red,” OpenAI has made several releases in response to the American corporation’s solutions — GPT-5.2 and a new version of the image generator ChatGPT Images — GPT Image 1.5.

In December, Google released the Gemini 3 Flash language model and made it standard in the Gemini app and AI mode in its search engine.