OpenAI introduced significant updates to its plugin ecosystem during the DevDay 2026 event held on September 30. Developers can now create dedicated sidebars for plugins, allowing users to interact with applications directly within the ChatGPT interface while maintaining active conversations.

The company redesigned the submission process for developers to provide clearer feedback and improved the plugin directory. These changes aim to enhance the discovery of relevant tools, while users retain full control over plugin permissions and access rights.

New features allow users to integrate ChatGPT plugins into their own websites. This functionality enables team members to log in with individual permissions and access shared data. These capabilities are currently available for Business, Enterprise, Education, and healthcare-focused plans.

OpenAI is also implementing support for the MCP event specification. This update allows plugins to trigger automated workflows based on events in connected applications. For instance, ChatGPT can monitor project boards for new tasks, read linked documents, and draft plans automatically.