Article Summary
- Apps in ChatGPT enables direct operation of external apps within conversations
- Apps are automatically suggested based on conversation context for seamless integration
- Complete shopping experience from groceries to payment within chat interface
What is Apps in ChatGPT?
Apps in ChatGPT is a feature that allows users to directly invoke and operate third-party apps within the ChatGPT conversation interface. Announced by OpenAI in October 2025, users can launch apps by typing the app name or accepting suggestions from ChatGPT. With support from services like Spotify, Canva, and Instacart, users can complete tasks from playlist creation to grocery ordering and payment without leaving the chat.
Apps in ChatGPT enables slide creation with Canva and property searches with Zillow within conversations
From Chat to Booking and Purchase
"I want to plan a trip," "Turn this outline into slides," "Buy ingredients for tonight's dinner." ChatGPT can now invoke appropriate apps and operate them within conversations to fulfill these requests.
Traditionally, we launched different apps for each task, switching between screens to complete our work. Apps in ChatGPT overturns this convention, providing a new experience where everything is completed within the chat interface. This article explores the mechanisms, use cases, and future prospects of this feature.
How Apps in ChatGPT Works
Apps in ChatGPT offers two methods for invoking apps. First, users can type the app name at the beginning of a message—for example, "Spotify, create a playlist for this weekend's party" launches the app. Second, ChatGPT automatically suggests relevant apps based on conversation context.
Invoke apps by typing the app name or selecting from the tools menu
The foundation of this feature is the "Model Context Protocol," abbreviated as MCP. MCP functions as a common language for connecting AI with external tools, and OpenAI has extended it with the "Apps SDK" to enable the construction of interactive UIs that operate within chat.
While traditional chatbots were limited to text-based responses, Apps in ChatGPT can display rich UI components like maps, playlists, forms, and presentations within the conversation interface. Users can complete tasks through intuitive operations without switching screens.
Key Partners and Use Cases
At the October 2025 launch, major companies including Booking.com, Canva, Coursera, Expedia, Figma, Spotify, and Zillow joined as partners. In December 2025, additional partners including Adobe, Airtable, Apple Music, OpenTable, Replit, and Salesforce were announced.
The Zillow app displays properties matching your budget and preferred area on an interactive map
Here are some specific use cases. With the Zillow app, simply communicate your budget and preferred area in natural language, and matching properties appear on an interactive map. Property details can be viewed within the chat, and additional questions like "Are there properties closer to the station?" receive immediate responses.
Canva integration allows you to convert outlines created in conversation directly into slide decks. Discussion points like "Project Overview," "Schedule," and "Budget" instantly transform into presentation materials.
With Coursera, watch videos while asking ChatGPT questions
The Coursera app lets you watch learning videos within the chat interface while asking ChatGPT about unclear points. You can receive supplementary explanations related to video content and suggestions for additional materials for deeper understanding.
Accelerating "Conversational Shopping" in Commerce
Apps in ChatGPT is attracting particular attention in the commerce sector. In December 2025, Instacart and DoorDash successively released ChatGPT apps, realizing an experience where everything from grocery ordering to payment and delivery can be completed through conversation.
Instacart enables grocery selection, cart creation, and payment completion within ChatGPT
Source: Instacart Official Press Release
On December 8, 2025, Instacart became the first ChatGPT app to implement the "Instant Checkout" feature. When users type "Instacart, I want to buy ingredients for apple pie," the app suggests optimal products from over 1,800 nearby retailers and automatically creates a cart. Remarkably, payment can be completed within ChatGPT without switching tabs. With planned support for Apple Pay and Google Pay, this truly transforms conversation into shopping.
DoorDash completes everything from recipe consultation to grocery list creation and delivery arrangement within chat
Source: DoorDash Official Press Release
DoorDash released similar functionality on December 17, 2025. Everything from recipe consultation to grocery list creation and delivery arrangement from local supermarkets can be completed within chat. Partnering with major U.S. supermarkets including Kroger, Safeway, and Wegmans, delivery is possible in as little as one hour. DoorDash co-founder Andy Fang states that "AI unlocks a new dynamic, personalized search and discovery experience."
The Agentic Commerce Protocol enables secure payment processing within ChatGPT
Supporting these experiences is the "Agentic Commerce Protocol." This open standard, jointly developed by OpenAI and Stripe, enables secure payment processing within ChatGPT. The Stripe-integrated payment infrastructure securely processes credit card information, realizing smooth purchase experiences.
Future support is planned for Uber Eats and AllTrails, with Apps in ChatGPT expected to be utilized in all aspects of daily life, from food delivery to outdoor experience bookings.
Business Impact and Future Prospects
Apps in ChatGPT holds potential as a new customer touchpoint for businesses. It enables service suggestions to ChatGPT's over 800 million users at contextually appropriate moments in conversations. Unlike traditional app stores, a mechanism that suggests grocery delivery apps the moment users say "What should I make tonight?" promises high conversion rates.
DoorDash explains that "local grocery stores can reach people searching for pumpkin pie ingredients in real-time." This represents a new marketing channel that enables direct approach at decision-making moments, impossible with traditional search advertising or app stores.
OpenAI states that the Instacart partnership is "a step toward our vision of AI making helpful suggestions that connect directly to real-world services, saving people time and effort in their daily lives." As conversational AI merges with actual commerce including e-commerce, bookings, and payments, consumer behavior itself may transform.
However, services are currently unavailable in the European Economic Area, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, with regional restrictions in place. Additionally, ChatGPT Business, Enterprise, and Edu plans allow administrators to control app usage, requiring security policy considerations for enterprise adoption.
Conclusion
Apps in ChatGPT is a new feature enabling direct operation of third-party apps within conversations. Built on MCP, it displays rich UI components like maps, playlists, and shopping carts within the chat interface, providing seamless user experiences.
Particularly in commerce, Instacart and DoorDash have realized experiences completing everything from conversation to payment and delivery, demonstrating a new form of consumer behavior called "Agentic Commerce." Access to a user base exceeding 800 million represents a significant business opportunity for retail and food service industries.
Start by checking available apps in ChatGPT's tools menu and try saying "Instacart, find ingredients for tonight's dinner." We recommend experiencing firsthand how conversation becomes shopping.
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