chatgpt-apps

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---
name: chatgpt-apps
description: Build, scaffold, refactor, and troubleshoot ChatGPT Apps SDK applications that combine an MCP server and widget UI. Use when Codex needs to design tools, register UI resources, wire the MCP Apps bridge or ChatGPT compatibility APIs, apply Apps SDK metadata or CSP or domain settings, or produce a docs-aligned project scaffold. Prefer a docs-first workflow by invoking the openai-docs skill or OpenAI developer docs MCP tools before generating code.
---

# ChatGPT Apps

## Overview

Scaffold ChatGPT Apps SDK implementations with a docs-first, example-first workflow, then generate code that follows current Apps SDK and MCP Apps bridge patterns.

Use this skill to produce:

- A primary app-archetype classification and repo-shape decision
- A tool plan (names, schemas, annotations, outputs)
- An upstream starting-point recommendation (official example, ext-apps example, or local fallback scaffold)
- An MCP server scaffold (resource registration, tool handlers, metadata)
- A widget scaffold (MCP Apps bridge first, `window.openai` compatibility/extensions second)
- A reusable Node + `@modelcontextprotocol/ext-apps` starter scaffold for low-dependency fallbacks
- A validation report against the minimum working repo contract
- Local dev and connector setup steps
- A short stakeholder summary of what the app does (when requested)

## Mandatory Docs-First Workflow

Use `$openai-docs` first whenever building or changing a ChatGPT Apps SDK app.

1. Invoke `$openai-docs` (preferred) or call the OpenAI docs MCP server directly.
2. Fetch current Apps SDK docs before writing code, especially (baseline pages):
   - `apps-sdk/build/mcp-server`
   - `apps-sdk/build/chatgpt-ui`
   - `apps-sdk/build/examples`
   - `apps-sdk/plan/tools`
   - `apps-sdk/reference`
3. Fetch `apps-sdk/quickstart` when scaffolding a new app or generating a first-pass implementation, and check the official examples repo/page before inventing a scaffold from scratch.
4. Fetch deployment/submission docs when the task includes local ChatGPT testing, hosting, or public launch:
   - `apps-sdk/deploy`
   - `apps-sdk/deploy/submission`
   - `apps-sdk/app-submission-guidelines`
5. Cite the docs URLs you used when explaining design choices or generated scaffolds.
6. Prefer current docs guidance over older repo patterns when they differ, and call out compatibility aliases explicitly.
7. If doc search times out or returns poor matches, fetch the canonical Apps SDK pages directly by URL and continue; do not let search failure block scaffolding.

If `$openai-docs` is unavailable, use:

- `mcp__openaiDeveloperDocs__search_openai_docs`
- `mcp__openaiDeveloperDocs__fetch_openai_doc`

Read `references/apps-sdk-docs-workflow.md` for suggested doc queries and a compact checklist.
Read `references/app-archetypes.md` to classify the request into a small number of supported app shapes before choosing examples or scaffolds.
Read `references/repo-contract-and-validation.md` when generating or reviewing a repo so the output stays inside a stable “working app” contract.
Read `references/search-fetch-standard.md` when the app is connector-like, data-only, sync-oriented, or meant to work well with company knowledge or deep research.
Read `references/upstream-example-workflow.md` when starting a greenfield app or when deciding whether to adapt an upstream example or use the local fallback scaffold.
Read `references/window-openai-patterns.md` when the task needs ChatGPT-specific widget behavior or when translating repo examples that use wrapper-specific `app.*` helpers.

## Prompt Guidance

Use prompts that explicitly pair this skill with `$openai-docs` so the resulting scaffold is grounded in current docs.

Preferred prompt patterns:

- `Use $chatgpt-apps with $openai-docs to scaffold a ChatGPT app for <use case> with a <TS/Python> MCP server and <React/vanilla> widget.`
- `Use $chatgpt-apps with $openai-docs to adapt the closest official Apps SDK example into a Chat