ChatGPT plugins now work more like apps on your phone

OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, is making it simpler to use add-ons called plugins. Think of plugins like apps you download on your phone — they add new features to ChatGPT without you having to leave the main chat window.

The company is adding several new features to make these plugins work more smoothly. Plugins now get their own dedicated spaces in a sidebar, similar to how apps appear on your phone's home screen. There are also interactive panels — basically small windows where you can see information or enter details — and built-in file viewers so you can look at documents without downloading them first. OpenAI has also made it easier to find and discover new plugins, so you're not lost searching through hundreds of options.

But here's what really matters: automation is coming. This means ChatGPT can now do repetitive tasks automatically without you clicking through steps each time. For example, if you regularly need to save information from ChatGPT to a spreadsheet, that could happen on its own now. No more copying and pasting by hand.

For everyday users, this is about saving time and frustration. Instead of jumping between ChatGPT and other tools or apps, you can stay in one place and get more done. The plugins start to feel less like add-ons and more like a complete assistant that can handle different kinds of jobs.