ChatGPT Now Has an App Store — and Apps Run Right in the Chat

OpenAI has taken a big step in transforming ChatGPT from a chatbot into a full-blown platform with its own app store. The ChatGPT app store, officially called the App Directory, is now live, allowing users to discover, install, and use a variety of apps right inside the ChatGPT interface. These apps work within ChatGPT’s chat window, streamlining your tasks.

ChatGPT gets its own app store

Rather than downloading separate programs from Google Play or the Apple App Store, you can now use ChatGPT’s App Directory to run apps natively in the chat window. You can find the directory through the tools menu in the ChatGPT app or by visiting chatgpt.com/apps. Once installed, apps can be summoned by name or even suggested automatically by the chatbot during a conversation.

These apps expand what ChatGPT can do. For example, integrations with services like Spotify, Zillow, Canva, and DoorDash let you do real tasks without leaving the chat. You might ask ChatGPT to create a music playlist, search for real estate listings, design graphics, or even order food, all within the same interface.

Alongside the app store launch, OpenAI has released a Software Development Kit (SDK) so developers can build and submit interactive applications that run inside ChatGPT. The firm wants apps that “extend ChatGPT conversations by bringing in new context and letting users take actions.” This opens up new possibilities for third-party tools and services tailored to users’ needs without switching between multiple apps.

Unlike traditional apps that run on your phone or computer, these ChatGPT apps interact directly with your conversation. When appropriate, ChatGPT can suggest relevant apps based on your intent. For example, offering a travel booking tool if you’re curating an itinerary.

With this rollout, the AI chatbot turns into a central hub for useful tools and services, all accessible through natural language. The platform is also testing direct messages, including group chats. It’s a big evolution in how people interact with AI, though it might just be the beginning.