OpenAI turns ChatGPT into an app platform at DevDay

OpenAI used its DevDay event on Tuesday to unveil a suite of updates that push ChatGPT further toward becoming a platform for third-party software, announcing new plugin extensions that give outside apps a permanent home inside the chatbot and a single sign-on feature that lets subscribers carry their credentials into partner tools.

Plugin Extensions Turn ChatGPT Into an App Hub

At the San Francisco gathering, which drew 2,500 developers, OpenAI said it is now allowing developers to build app-like experiences directly within ChatGPT through plugin extensions. ChatGPT already connects to tools like Slack Salesforce, Inc. ↘ 0.16%, SharePoint, Airtable, and Google Drive Alphabet Inc. ↘ 0.45%, but the new extensions give apps a dedicated slot in the ChatGPT sidebar along with interactive panels where users can work with third-party tools alongside a conversation. File viewers supporting custom formats are also part of the package.techcrunch+2

OpenAI said it has improved how plugins are ranked and recommended, and developers are getting a new Plugin Creator tool along with a redesigned submission flow that offers clearer feedback and lets them update their tools without resubmitting a full application. The company also announced support for the proposed MCP Events specification, which would let plugins trigger automations based on events in connected apps.tech.yahoo+2

Sign In With ChatGPT Extends Subscriptions to Partner Tools

The company introduced Sign in with ChatGPT, a feature that allows Plus and Pro subscribers to authenticate with third-party developer tools using their existing ChatGPT credentials. Users on eligible plans can direct the AI usage already included in their subscription toward partner products instead of connecting a separate API key or paying twice.businesswire+1

Sixteen partners joined at launch, including Cognition's Devin, Notion, Vercel, T3, OpenClaw, Dactyl, and Anaconda's Kilo. Anaconda said the integration lets builders access any OpenAI model included in ChatGPT through Kilo's model gateway across VS Code, JetBrains, the CLI, and its mobile app.itbrief+2

A Broader Platform Play

OpenAI also announced a marketplace for enterprise apps, launching with more than 30 partners including Adobe ↘ 2.69%, Figma, HubSpot ↗ 2.18%, Salesforce, ServiceNow ↗ 0.93%, CrowdStrike ↘ 3.84%, and Palo Alto Networks ↘ 2.94%. The company has not introduced a payment or revenue-sharing system akin to traditional app stores, focusing instead on discovery and distribution.ua+1

"Anaconda and OpenAI share a long-held commitment to developer empowerment at the frontier of AI," said Emilie Schario, VP of Agentic Engineering at Anaconda. "Our deepened partnership makes it easier than ever for builders and enterprises to leverage best-in-class OpenAI models within Kilo's secure platform."businesswire