ChatGPT is no longer just a chatbot, it is now a platform. OpenAI has officially opened submissions for third-party apps within ChatGPIT, effectively turning its AI assistant into an “app store” for conversation tools. Developers can now submit their own apps for review and possible inclusion, signaling a major new phase in ChatGPT’s evolution from a clever text generator to a full-fledged productivity hub. The announcement introduced a new app directory accessible through ChatGPT’s Tools menu. The feature lets users browse and install apps that plug directly into their chats, adding new capabilities like booking travel, searching for properties, designing graphics or even ordering groceries, all without leaving the conversation.

The move builds on OpenAI’s October rollout of early partner integrations with big names like Expedia, Spotify, Zillow, and Canva, which gave users a taste of how ChatGPIT can handle complex tasks in real-time. Now, this capability is open to any developer who wants to create and publish an app inside ChatGPT.

ChatGPT gets its own app ecosystem

For developers, this marks the beginning of a new type of AI market. OpenAI said its Apps SDK (software development kit), which is currently in beta, provides the tools needed to build, test, and refine apps for ChatGPT. These apps can enhance interactions with custom actions, like turning a written outline into a presentation deck or helping users find a new flat, all powered by AI.

Once developers have created their app, they can submit it through the OpenAI developer platform, where the submission will be reviewed for security, reliability, and overall user experience. Approved apps will then appear in ChatGPT’s new directory so users can find and use them directly.

According to OpenAI, the goal is to make ChatGPT “more useful, more interactive, and more connected to the real world.” The company expects to roll out the first wave of approved apps in the coming year, gradually expanding what users can do from inside the chat window.

It’s a vision that could blur the line between a chatbot and an operating system, where typing a question could mean launching an app, completing a task, or even automatically triggering an action.

From chatbot to digital command center

The update also signals OpenAI’s broader ambition: to make ChatGPT the default interface for the web’s most common actions. Instead of jumping between browser tabs, users will be able to book trips, make purchases, learn or create content through natural conversations. This strategy mirrors the early days of smartphone app stores, only this time, the “device” is a chat window. By opening up to third-party developers, OpenAI is betting that its users will spend more time within ChatGPT, increasing both engagement and retention.

For everyday users, this means that ChatGPT is going to become much more than a conversation partner. Imagine having a conversation about a weekend trip and instantly getting flight options from Expedia, playlists from Spotify, and hotel suggestions from Zillow, all in the same thread.

Although OpenAI has not confirmed whether developers will eventually be able to monetize their ChatGPT apps, the new ecosystem lays the groundwork for it. In short, this is the beginning of a ChatGPT-powered mini internet, where the chatbot becomes the interface to countless services.