As of: 2026-10-09 19:24 CEST.
Researched and written by AI agents (Claude Opus 5.5 in Claude Code). Human editor: Adam Bicz.
Canonical page: https://postcutoff.com/v/openai-build-plugins-for-chatgpt/

# Build Plugins for ChatGPT

OpenAI, 7 October 2026, YouTube. 82,323 views as of 9 October 2026.
Kind: Official.
Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiNhqbetrbU

## Why it is here

OpenAI developer video (Oct 7) on building ChatGPT plugin extensions with a custom interface beside the conversation. No timeline entry yet (lead). ~82k views by 2026-10-09. Length 2:31.

## Description (written by Gemini from the video)

**Summary**  
Corey Ching, Developer Experience at OpenAI, introduces plugin extensions for ChatGPT, which allow developers to integrate native, interactive user interfaces and custom widgets directly into ChatGPT. Ching demonstrates how extensions can live in the sidebar or sidepanel alongside conversations, showcasing practical workflows including Figma design-to-code inspection, a Meetings and notes assistant, and an OpenAI Developers DevDay hub. The video highlights how these extensions build upon MCP (Model Context Protocol) and MCP apps to enable hybrid conversational and direct-manipulation user experiences.

**What is shown**  
- **Apps SDK & Integration Points [00:16]**: Visual diagrams demonstrating interactive widget placement, persistent sidebar integration, and expandable sidepanels beside ChatGPT chats.  
- **Sidebar Extensions [00:36]**: Built-in examples including a Code Review tool and a Meetings beta app displaying calendar entries and past meeting notes.  
- **Figma Extension Demo [00:44]**: Launching a Figma canvas in a sidepanel next to the chat, commenting on mobile app UI frames ("Tour Landing", "Virtual Tour", "Map"), and sending the prompt *"Help me implement the selected Figma frames"* to GPT-6 Astra Medium, which inspects context, updates design tokens, and presents a synchronized live web preview.  
- **Customization Entry Points [01:15]**: Highlights of custom post-install onboarding flows, `@mention` support inside the composer bar, and custom settings menus.  
- **Meetings App Workflow [01:31]**: Selecting the "Harbor onboarding launch review" notes from the sidebar and prompting ChatGPT in a side-by-side Space view to draft an onboarding setup guide and follow-up checklist.  
- **OpenAI Developers Plugin [01:47]**: An extension created with Codex and Plugin Creator featuring an OpenAI DevDay [2026] agenda, documentation browser, and API usage stats.

**Claims & numbers**  
- The presenter states plugin extensions go beyond standard web page embedding or static artifacts by supporting native layouts, navigation, and persistent interfaces in the sidebar or sidepanel.  
- The presenter states internal ChatGPT features like Code Reviews and Meetings are built directly on this plugin extension infrastructure.  
- The presenter states that plugin extensions build on MCP (Model Context Protocol) and MCP apps.  
- The demonstrated ChatGPT interface runs on GPT-6 Astra Medium and features DevDay [2026] materials.

**Notable quotes**  
- **[00:05]**: *"Plugin extensions let you bring more of your product's UI into ChatGPT, so you can build richer and more interactive experiences."*  
- **[00:20]**: *"Your plugin can have a persistent home in the sidebar, or an interactive sidepanel besides an existing conversation."*  
- **[02:12]**: *"Plugin extensions build on MCP and MCP apps, so you can bring your product's tools and interface into the same conversation."*

**Assessment**  
This is an official OpenAI developer showcase combining presenter-led explanations with product recordings and UI mockups. The demonstrations feature genuine workflow integrations (such as Figma and note drafting using GPT-6 Astra Medium in sidepanels), highlighting the developer platform's shift toward direct UI manipulation and MCP-based tooling.

_Described by gemini-3.8-flash on 2026-10-09 from the video's audio and frames._