MCP client - OpenAI - verified
How to add an MCP server to ChatGPT (apps / connectors)
Where to add MCP servers in ChatGPT (apps / connectors): ChatGPT web: chatgpt.com/plugins, plus button, Add custom MCP server; ChatGPT desktop app: Settings > MCP servers > Add server. Its docs list support for stdio, Streamable HTTP and SSE. It handles OAuth sign-in for remote servers.
ChatGPT (apps / connectors) homepage - ChatGPT in our tools directory - Compare all MCP clients
- Kind
- Chat app
- stdio
- Yes
- Streamable HTTP
- Yes
- SSE
- Yes
Add a server
- Where the config lives
- ChatGPT web: chatgpt.com/plugins, plus button, Add custom MCP server; ChatGPT desktop app: Settings > MCP servers > Add server
The ChatGPT (apps / connectors) docs publish no copyable config example; servers are added through the steps above. The full walkthrough is in the official docs (developers.openai.com).
Which server?
Pick a server from the verified directory of official MCP servers. Each one lists its transport, auth and the setup snippets its vendor publishes, so you can match it to what ChatGPT (apps / connectors) supports.
MCP support
What the ChatGPT (apps / connectors) docs say it supports. Not stated means the docs do not say either way.
| Feature | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ToolsCalls the functions a server exposes. | Yes | developers.openai.com/plugins/build/mcp-server |
| ResourcesReads data and files a server exposes as resources. | Not stated | Docs do not say |
| PromptsOffers a server's prompt templates to the user. | Not stated | Docs do not say |
| SamplingLets a server ask the client's model for a completion. | Not stated | Docs do not say |
| RootsTells a server which directories it may work in. | Not stated | Docs do not say |
| ElicitationLets a server ask the user for input mid-task. | Yes | developers.openai.com/plugins/build/mcp-server |
| DiscoveryPicks up tools, prompts or resources a server adds or removes while connected. | Not stated | Docs do not say |
| InstructionsUses the instructions a server sends when it connects. | Yes | developers.openai.com/plugins/build/mcp-server |
| stdioStarts a local server as a subprocess. | Yes | learn.chatgpt.com/docs/extend/mcp |
| Streamable HTTPConnects to a remote server over the current HTTP transport. | Yes | developers.openai.com/plugins/build/mcp-server |
| SSEConnects over the older HTTP+SSE transport. | Yes | developers.openai.com/api/docs/mcp |
| OAuthSigns in to remote servers with OAuth. | Yes | developers.openai.com/api/docs/mcp |
Worth knowing
ChatGPT web reaches remote MCP servers through plugins, while stdio servers are available only in the ChatGPT desktop app, which shares Codex host configuration.
FAQ
Where is the ChatGPT (apps / connectors) MCP config?
ChatGPT web: chatgpt.com/plugins, plus button, Add custom MCP server; ChatGPT desktop app: Settings > MCP servers > Add server. Its docs publish no copyable config example; setup steps are at https://developers.openai.com/plugins/build/mcp-server
Does ChatGPT (apps / connectors) support remote MCP servers over Streamable HTTP?
Yes, per https://developers.openai.com/plugins/build/mcp-server. Its docs list support for stdio, Streamable HTTP and SSE.
Does ChatGPT (apps / connectors) support OAuth for MCP servers?
Yes. It handles OAuth sign-in for remote servers. Source: https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/mcp
Which MCP features does ChatGPT (apps / connectors) support?
Its docs list Tools, Elicitation and Instructions. They do not state Resources, Prompts, Sampling, Roots and Discovery.
Sources
Last verified from the pages below.
- OpenAI Plugins docs: Build an MCP server - developers.openai.com
- OpenAI Plugins docs: Connect and test your plugin - developers.openai.com
- OpenAI API docs: Building MCP servers for plugins and API integrations - developers.openai.com
- OpenAI Plugins docs: Add UI to your MCP server - developers.openai.com
- ChatGPT Learn: Model Context Protocol - learn.chatgpt.com
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