What to know

  • OpenAI rolled out the App Directory on December 17, 2025, for Business, Enterprise, and Edu users to browse tools like file search and third-party services.​
  • The Apps SDK preview lets developers build interactive apps that run directly in ChatGPT conversations, with partners including Spotify, Zillow, and Booking.com.​
  • Users interact via natural language, sharing data selectively for tasks like bookings or playlists without leaving ChatGPT.​
  • Apps must meet strict privacy, safety, and reliability standards to join the directory.​

OpenAI launched a new App Directory on December 17, 2025, giving Business, Enterprise, and Education users a centralized place to discover built-in tools and third-party services such as file search and research utilities.

Alongside this, OpenAI introduced a preview version of the Apps SDK, allowing developers to create interactive apps that run directly inside ChatGPT conversations. Early partners include Spotify, Zillow, Booking.com, Canva, Coursera, and Expedia, enabling actions like music curation, property searches, and travel planning without leaving ChatGPT.

The App Directory is accessible directly within ChatGPT and replaces the earlier “connectors” system. These new apps can display interactive elements—such as maps, lists, and recommendations—inline within chats. Users can invoke apps naturally by mentioning a service, after which ChatGPT prompts them to connect and manage data-sharing permissions, ensuring privacy and control.

Built-in tools like deep research and file search now sit alongside third-party integrations, creating a unified experience that keeps workflows inside a single interface. This approach shifts away from traditional app stores by embedding functionality directly into AI-driven conversations.

Alongside the user experience enhancements, OpenAI opened the App Directory for submissions, enabling developers worldwide to submit their apps for review and publication. Developers now have access to:

  • A preview of the Apps SDK to build interactive, chat-native experiences that integrate backend services, user authentication, and rich UI elements.
  • Documentation, example apps, a UI component library, and quickstart guides to help design high-quality apps.
  • A submission and review process through the OpenAI Developer Platform, where apps are evaluated on quality, safety, and usability before being published in the directory.

OpenAI applies strict requirements around privacy, safety, reliability, and data minimization, including protections for younger users. Details around monetization are expected as submissions open more broadly. Overall, the App Directory marks a significant step toward turning ChatGPT into a secure, all-in-one hub for everyday tasks and services.