Overview
Plugins help ChatGPT and Codex complete workflows by packaging reusable instructions, connected tools, and other capabilities.
A plugin can include:
Skills that provide instructions and workflow guidance.
Connected apps that link external accounts, information, and actions.
App templates that help administrators configure apps for a workspace.
Some plugins include multiple apps. Others include only skills and do not require an app connection.
Apps and plugins serve different purposes. The options you see depend on your account, workspace, and where you use them. Existing app connections remain subject to their own authorization and workspace controls.
Installing a plugin may start an app-connection or setup flow. You must still complete any required account authorization, and installation cannot bypass provider or workspace permissions.
Availability
The directory is available across ChatGPT plans, although the label and available features can vary by rollout, surface, and account. Installing or using an individual plugin depends on your plan, workspace, role, region, and its included capabilities.
Find and review plugins
Go to Plugins when it is available to review a plugin’s description, skills, included apps, and setup requirements. If your account provides Apps, you can review available app connections there.
A required app must be available and meet its setup requirements. Depending on the app, this may involve an individual account, a no-auth app, or an administrator-managed connection.
Some plugins work in ChatGPT and Codex. Others are limited to a particular surface or workspace.
OpenAI Verified plugins
Some plugins display an OpenAI Verified badge. OpenAI reviews these plugins for quality, reliability, and usefulness.
Workspace owners and administrators can review verification status in Workspace settings > Plugins.
A verification badge does not replace your organization's privacy, security, or vendor review.
Install a plugin and connect its apps
Go to Plugins in ChatGPT or Codex when it is available. If your ChatGPT account provides Apps instead, use the app options shown for your account.
Select the plugin and review its included apps.
Select Install plugin if shown; installation may start the app’s setup or authorization flow.
If prompted, select Connect for an app that requires account authorization.
Sign in to the intended provider account only when individual authorization is required.
If an app supports sync, ask an eligible workspace administrator to configure it.
An app-backed capability works only after its applicable access, authorization, and workspace requirements are satisfied.
For account selection, reconnecting, multiple accounts, and disconnection, see: Connecting and managing app accounts in ChatGPT.
Use a plugin in ChatGPT or Codex
In ChatGPT, use an @ mention or open + and select More when those controls are available for your surface and the specific plugin or app.
In a supported Codex task view:
Open Sources.
Select Use plugins.
Search for and select an installed plugin.
Available options depend on the product surface, plan, and workspace.
A local or Codex-specific plugin may need to be imported, uploaded, or made available by an administrator before other workspace members can use it.
Understand how plugins use apps
A plugin can use a connected app to search information, retrieve content, or complete supported actions.
Apps used by a plugin remain subject to their own controls, including:
Workspace availability and applicable role access.
Provider-account authorization.
Supported read and write actions.
Action approval requirements.
Approved account domains.
Sync and source restrictions, when supported.
A plugin cannot use an app to access content outside the permissions granted to the relevant individual provider account or administrator-managed source.
If an optional app is disabled, other plugin capabilities may continue to work. If a required app is unavailable, the related capability cannot run.
For app approval settings, see: Managing app permissions in ChatGPT.
For data handling and workspace visibility, see: Data sharing and privacy for apps in ChatGPT.
Plugins that include app templates
An app template is not a ready-to-use app. An administrator may need to configure the provider connection, publish a workspace-specific app, and assign access before members can use it.
Installing the plugin does not complete those steps.
For setup instructions, see: ChatGPT app templates.
Plugins that use administrator-managed sync
Some supported apps can index selected workspace content after an eligible administrator configures sync.
Installing a plugin does not create a sync connection. Individually authorized sync is unavailable; supported sync must be configured by a workspace administrator.
For eligibility, indexing, data residency, and controls, see: Administrator-managed apps with sync in ChatGPT.
Manage plugins in a workspace
Workspace administrators can manage plugins and their included apps in Admin > Plugins. The Apps administration page may also remain available. FedRAMP workspaces use Apps when Plugins is unavailable.
Plugin and app controls remain separate even when they appear on the same plugin detail page. Plugin settings govern availability and installation; app settings govern account access, actions, sync, and provider restrictions.
In Business workspaces, apps are enabled by default. New Enterprise and Edu workspaces start with a selected set of apps enabled; these defaults do not change existing workspace settings and do not apply to Healthcare workspaces. Availability depends on the plugin, its required apps, workspace policy, and applicable role settings.
Enterprise and Edu administrators may assign eligible plugin and app access to roles where those controls are available. Business administrators manage whether apps are enabled for the workspace.
Set an installation policy
Installation policies may include:
Available: Eligible members can install the plugin.
Installed: The plugin is installed automatically for eligible workspace members or, where role-based controls are available, the selected role.
Neither installation policy overrides provider permissions or grants access to data the relevant connection cannot access.
To configure a plugin:
Go to Workspace settings > Plugins.
Select the plugin.
Review its skills, required apps, optional apps, and app templates.
Select an available installation policy.
Confirm any required app is enabled and accessible.
On the plugin detail page, review the included app's access, allowed actions, and available sync settings.
Ask an eligible member to test the workflow. Connect an individual provider account only if the requested live app feature requires one.
For detailed workspace controls, see: Admin controls, security, and compliance for plugins and apps.
Import and sync a marketplace from GitHub
Workspace admins can import a plugin marketplace from a public or private GitHub repository and keep its plugins up to date with daily sync. A marketplace is a JSON catalog that lists the plugins to import. For setup, access requirements, and troubleshooting, see: Importing and syncing plugin marketplaces from GitHub.
Use the update control that matches what you want to refresh:
Synced GitHub marketplace: Go to Workspace settings > Plugins, open Marketplaces, and select the marketplace. Select Sync now to request an update from GitHub.
Individually imported plugin: If its admin view shows Refresh, use that action to refresh the plugin.
Displayed list: Refresh plugin list reloads the list. It does not sync from GitHub.
Share and publish workspace plugins
Workspace administrators control whether members can share plugins or publish them to a workspace directory.
To manage the available role permissions:
Go to Workspace settings > Permissions & roles.
Select the role.
Review Use plugins, Share plugins, or Publish plugins to workspace where available.
Enabling a permission does not publish a plugin automatically.
Share a plugin you own
Go to Plugins and select a plugin you own.
Open the more options menu (•••).
Select Share plugin.
Under Who has access, select an available option.
Select Save.
Access options may include:
Only those invited: Only specified people or groups can access the plugin.
Anyone in this workspace with the link: Workspace members with the link can access the plugin.
Visible in workspace directory: Eligible members can find and install the plugin.
The exact workspace name appears in the applicable option.
Publishing to a workspace directory does not publish the plugin to the public directory. Sharing does not change the underlying apps' permissions.
Disable a plugin
Plugin installation, app access, and sync are separate controls.
Go to Workspace settings > Plugins.
Select the plugin and open its more options menu (•••).
Select Disable or Disable plugin, depending on the label shown.
Review affected apps and any warning before confirming. If prompted, select Disable plugin and app only after checking the impact on shared apps and sync.
A shared app may be used by more than one plugin. Disabling it can affect other workflows and workspace members.
Disabling an administrator-managed synced source or deleting its connection can permanently remove indexed data. Review the warning before confirming because the change may affect other authorized users or plugins.
Disabling an app does not necessarily uninstall a plugin. The plugin may remain visible in Codex, and skills that do not depend on the app may continue to work.
For workspace controls, see: Admin controls, security, and compliance for plugins and apps.
FAQ
What is the difference between an app and a plugin?
An app connects ChatGPT to an external service, such as Google Drive or Slack, so it can access information or perform supported actions. A plugin packages capabilities into a workflow and can include one or more apps, skills, or both. Some plugins include only skills and do not connect to an external service. Installing a plugin does not bypass an app’s authorization requirements or workspace permissions. For details, see: Connected apps in ChatGPT.
How can I export the public plugin catalog?
Eligible workspace owners and administrators can go to Admin > Plugins and select Export CSV.
The export can include plugin, app, and skill details, developers, versions, dates added, and verification status. It does not include plugins created in your workspace.
The export uses a daily snapshot, may be up to 48 hours old, and is not available in FedRAMP workspaces.
Why can't I find a plugin?
Availability depends on your plan, region, workspace, role, supported surface, and the plugin's included capabilities.
In a managed workspace, ask an administrator to review the installation policy and required apps. If you use a personal account without an administrator, check the plan and account requirements or contact OpenAI Support.
In Codex, directory changes can take up to 6 hours to refresh.
For app-specific problems, see: Troubleshooting apps in ChatGPT.
Why does a plugin say an app needs setup?
The app may need administrator configuration, provider authorization, or setup from an app template.
For account connection steps, see: Connecting and managing app accounts in ChatGPT.
Why can't a plugin access information or complete an action?
Check that:
The underlying app is available.
The relevant individual account or administrator-managed source can access the information.
The app supports the action.
Applicable workspace settings permit the action.
For approval settings, see: Managing app permissions in ChatGPT.
For additional diagnosis, see: Troubleshooting apps in ChatGPT.
Why is a plugin still visible after its app was disabled?
Disabling an app blocks capabilities that require that app. It does not necessarily uninstall the plugin or remove skills that remain available independently.
Why can I use a plugin only in Codex?
Some plugins are local to Codex or designed for Codex-specific workflows. An administrator may need to make the plugin available before it can be used elsewhere.
Why is a plugin marked Desktop only?
A plugin marked Desktop only cannot run in ChatGPT on the web. Imported plugins can receive this label when they declare MCP servers, such as in mcp.json or .mcp.json, even if a server uses a remote HTTPS URL. The plugin author can reference an existing app in .app.json, but adding that reference does not by itself remove the desktop restriction. The app must be available to your role, and its normal access and authentication requirements still apply.
Why don't I have access to skills?
Personal Skills are generally available to ChatGPT Business, Enterprise, Healthcare, and Edu users. Availability also depends on workspace settings, role, and product surface. Skills in ChatGPT and Codex may need to be managed separately.
How does a plugin become OpenAI Verified?
OpenAI works with selected developers to review plugins for quality, reliability, and usefulness. The OpenAI Verified badge identifies plugins included in that program.