How to Submit Your App to ChatGPT Plugins
Submit an Plugin to ChatGPT (chatgpt.com/plugins)
Before you start
You need three things ready before touching the submission form:
- A working MCP server at a public URL
- A verified developer account on the OpenAI Platform
- A short demo video (MP4 format) showing your plugin in action
Submission happens at platform.openai.com, not inside ChatGPT itself.
A plugin can be one of three things: skills-only (a bundle of reusable workflows), app-only (an MCP-backed app, with optional custom UI), or app-plus-skills (both combined). This guide covers the app/MCP path, since that's what most submissions involve.
Step 1: Verify your developer identity
Go to platform.openai.com/settings/organization/general and complete identity verification. You can submit as either an individual or a business.
Step 2: Create a new plugin in the dashboard
- Open platform.openai.com/plugins
- Click + Create Plugin
- Choose Skills only or With MCP, depending on what you're submitting
Step 3: Fill in Plugin Info
This is your listing page. Fill in:
- Plugin Name
- Subtitle
- Description
- Category
- Developer name
- Icons
You also need these URLs ready:
- Website
- Support page or email
- Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Demo video - a direct MP4 link showing the full core flow
Step 4: Connect your MCP Server
Paste your MCP server URL. Choose auth type:
- No Auth - for public tools with no login
- OAuth - for per-user authenticated access
- Mixed Auth - if some tools are public and some require auth
Then verify your domain. The dashboard gives you a verification token. Create a file at the exact path shown, put the token as the only content, deploy, then click Verify.
After verification, click Scan Tools. The dashboard discovers your tools and asks for Tool Justification. For each tool, you write 1–2 sentences explaining it. Keep description short and specific.
If you're submitting a skills-only or app-plus-skills plugin, the Skills tab is where you upload the skill bundle (a ZIP, max 100MB, containing your plugin manifest and SKILL.md files).
Step 5: Add Starter Prompts
Add a few prompts that show off the plugin's best workflows - specific enough to demonstrate real use, general enough that users can adapt them.
Step 6: Add Test Cases
You need at least 5 positive test cases and 3 negative test cases.
Positive - prompts that should trigger your plugin, with the expected outcome described in plain language.
Negative - prompts where your plugin should stay silent, even if the topic sounds related. Explain briefly why the plugin shouldn't activate.
This step helps OpenAI calibrate when your plugin shows up automatically in conversations.
Step 7: Set Global Distribution
Choose regions and languages.
Step 8: Submit for Review
Add release notes for version 1.0.
Then confirm the compliance checklist. Select Individual or Business, and click Submit for Review.
Your plugin status changes to Review in the dashboard. OpenAI will email you a Case ID and notify you as the review progresses.
Common Reasons Plugins Get Delayed or Rejected
- Vague plugin descriptions
- Missing or weak test cases
- No video demo
- Incorrect MCP setup
- Required inputs that block the plugin from opening
- Unclear privacy or data use explanation