OpenAI Expands ChatGPT Plugins With New Third-Party App Features

OpenAI is expanding the way third-party software can work with ChatGPT through new plugin capabilities, developer tools and Sign in with ChatGPT. The announcements were made at the company’s DevDay 2026 event in San Francisco.

The updates give developers more ways to create interactive experiences within ChatGPT while giving users new options for connecting supported applications.

OpenAI Expands ChatGPT Plugins

OpenAI’s existing plugin and connected-app ecosystem is gaining new capabilities that allow developers to create more interactive experiences inside ChatGPT.

New extensions can give supported applications dedicated locations in the ChatGPT sidebar, interactive panels and file viewers for custom formats. This allows users to work with certain third-party software without necessarily leaving the ChatGPT environment.

OpenAI is also improving how connected applications are discovered and recommended. The update therefore expands the existing ecosystem rather than introducing plugins as an entirely new concept.

New Tools for Developers

OpenAI is providing developers with additional tools for building and managing these integrations.

The company introduced a Plugin Creator and a redesigned submission process intended to provide clearer feedback during development. Developers can also update their integrations without submitting an entirely new version each time.

Another addition is support for the proposed MCP Events specification. This can allow connected applications to react to events in external services and trigger supported workflows or automations.

These tools could help developers build integrations that go beyond simple information requests.

Sign in With ChatGPT

OpenAI has also introduced Sign in with ChatGPT, an authentication option for supported third-party applications.

The feature allows users to use their ChatGPT identity when signing into participating services. OpenAI says identity sign-in itself does not give an external application access to a user’s ChatGPT conversations, memory, files or billing information.

If an application requires additional information or permissions, users must authorize those separately.

This makes Sign in with ChatGPT primarily an authentication feature rather than unrestricted access to a user’s ChatGPT account.

Using Eligible ChatGPT Plans With Partner Apps

OpenAI is also allowing some participating applications to use the ChatGPT plans of eligible users for AI requests.

Eligible Plus and Pro users may be able to use their existing ChatGPT plan when an approved partner application supports the capability.

However, this does not apply automatically to every third-party application. The partner must support the relevant integration, and users need to provide the required authorization.

Signing into an application with ChatGPT therefore does not automatically mean that the application can use a user’s subscription or access private ChatGPT data.

What the Changes Mean for Users

The expanded ChatGPT plugins ecosystem could make ChatGPT a more convenient interface for working with third-party software.

Users may be able to discover a supported application, connect their account and interact with that service from within ChatGPT.

The exact experience will depend on the individual application. Some integrations may provide interactive tools, while others may offer access to specific services or workflows.

Availability can also vary according to the application, account, plan, region and workspace settings.

What the Changes Mean for Developers

The new capabilities give developers more options for building software that works alongside ChatGPT.

Sidebar placements, interactive panels and file viewers can give applications a more visible presence inside ChatGPT. MCP Events can also allow supported integrations to react to events and initiate workflows.

The updated development and submission tools are intended to make creating and maintaining these integrations easier.

FAQs

What are ChatGPT plugins?

ChatGPT plugins are integrations that allow supported external applications and services to work with ChatGPT. OpenAI’s latest updates give developers additional ways to create interactive experiences within the ChatGPT interface.

What did OpenAI announce at DevDay 2026?

OpenAI announced expanded plugin capabilities, a Plugin Creator, improvements to the plugin submission process, support for MCP Events and Sign in with ChatGPT, among other developer-focused updates.

Does Sign in with ChatGPT give an app access to my conversations?

No. OpenAI says identity sign-in does not by itself provide an external application with access to ChatGPT conversations, memory, files or billing information. Additional access requires separate authorization.

Can Plus and Pro users use their ChatGPT plan in other applications?

Eligible Plus and Pro users can use their ChatGPT plan for certain AI requests in participating applications that support the feature. It is not automatically available across all third-party applications.

Does every ChatGPT user have access to every plugin?

No. Availability can depend on the specific application, account, plan, region and workspace settings.

Conclusion

OpenAI’s latest DevDay announcements expand the role of ChatGPT plugins and connected applications within the ChatGPT experience.

Developers can build more interactive integrations using features such as sidebar experiences, panels, file viewers and event-based workflows. Sign in with ChatGPT provides a separate authentication option, while eligible users can authorize participating applications to use their ChatGPT plan for certain AI requests.

The features are not universally available across every application or user account, and permissions remain dependent on individual integrations. The announcements nevertheless show OpenAI continuing to develop ChatGPT as an interface for discovering and working with third-party software.