How to add an MCP server to ChatGPT

Yes, ChatGPT can use MCP servers. Add a hosted server as a custom plugin on the web, or run local servers in the ChatGPT desktop app.

Local servers: No; no stdio
Hosted servers: Yes; connects by URL
Config: In the app; how servers are added
Picks: 10; ranked

Yes. On chatgpt.com you add a server by its web address from the Plugins page, and ChatGPT turns it into a plugin you install and call with @. ChatGPT on the web can only reach servers on the public internet or through OpenAI's Secure MCP Tunnel, so a server running on your laptop needs the desktop app or a tunnel. ChatGPT asks before any tool that changes data, unless the server marks the tool as read-only.

Good for

ChatGPT users who want it to work with a tool that has a hosted MCP server
Developers testing their own MCP server inside ChatGPT before they publish it
Teams whose server sits on a private network and needs a tunnel
Desktop app users who want local servers that start on their own computer

Install ChatGPT (developer mode)

ChatGPT

1
Download and install it.
Download

The web version adds hosted servers only. The desktop app can also start local servers and shares its list with Codex.

From the vendor's docs. Source.

At a glance

Where to add a server: chatgpt.com/plugins, plus button, Add custom MCP server
Connection: Public HTTPS server URL or Secure MCP Tunnel
Transports: SSE and streaming HTTP
Sign-in options: OAuth, no authentication, or OAuth or no authentication
Changes to data: Need your confirmation by default
How to call it: Type @ in the prompt box and pick the plugin
Local servers: Desktop app: Settings, MCP servers, Add server (STDIO or Streamable HTTP)
Desktop config file: ~/.codex/config.toml, shared with Codex CLI and IDE
Plans: Not listed by OpenAI; workspace rules apply

Run a local MCP server in the ChatGPT desktop app

ChatGPT

1
Install the desktop app
Download ChatGPT for macOS, Windows or Linux and sign in. The web version cannot start programs on your computer, the desktop app can.
2
Open MCP servers in Settings
Open Settings, select MCP servers, then Add server.
3
Enter the command or address
Type a name and choose STDIO for a program on your computer or Streamable HTTP for a web address. For a local server, enter the command, for example npx -y @upstash/context7-mcp.
Uses Context7
4
Save and restart
Save the server, then select Restart. If the list shows the server needs sign-in, select Authenticate.
5
Check it loaded
Type /mcp in the composer to see connected servers. The desktop app, the Codex CLI and the Codex IDE extension share the same server list in ~/.codex/config.toml, so a server added in one shows up in the others.

Add an MCP server to ChatGPT on the web

ChatGPT

1
Get the server address
You need the server's public HTTPS address, usually ending in /mcp, for example https://mcp.notion.com/mcp. ChatGPT on the web connects over SSE or streaming HTTP. If the server only runs on your computer or a private network, use a Secure MCP Tunnel or the desktop app steps below.
2
Open Plugins and add a custom server
Go to chatgpt.com/plugins, select the plus button, then Add custom MCP server. Your account and workspace rules decide whether this option appears.
3
Enter the name and connection
Type a name and, if you like, a description. Under Connection, paste the Server URL including the /mcp path, or select Tunnel and pick your tunnel.
4
Choose how it signs in
Pick OAuth if the service asks you to sign in with your account, No authentication for open servers, or OAuth or no authentication when only some tools need an account. Read the risk warning and select I understand and want to continue, then Create as a plugin.
5
Install the plugin you just made
Open your personal plugins, open the new plugin and select the plus button to install it. Creating it does not install it.
6
Use it in a chat
Start a new chat, type @ in the prompt box and pick the plugin. Name the plugin and the job in your request so ChatGPT picks the right tool instead of browsing.
Prompt
```
Use the Notion plugin to find my meeting notes from last week and list the action items. Do not use web browsing.
```
Uses Notion MCP
7
Approve changes and refresh when tools change
ChatGPT shows a confirmation before any tool that can change data. You can expand each call to see the exact input and output. If the server adds or renames tools, open the plugin on the Plugins page and select Refresh, then start a new chat.

Best MCP servers for ChatGPT (developer mode)

Official servers with an approved PlugWiki page whose setup for this client is documented by the vendor or client; ordered by GitHub stars, then weekly downloads, then name.

MCP servers that work in ChatGPT (developer mode)

40 · official first, then servers with a page, then by stars

Show all 40

Common errors and fixes

ChatGPT cannot connect to the server
Cause: The address is not public HTTPS, is missing the /mcp path, or the server fails setup or sign-in.
Fix: Run npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector@latest against the URL, fix the errors it shows, then add the server again.
chatgpt Source
The server runs on localhost and ChatGPT cannot reach it
Cause: ChatGPT on the web connects from OpenAI, not from your computer.
Fix: Use Secure MCP Tunnel, or add the server in the ChatGPT desktop app under Settings, MCP servers.
chatgpt Source
New or renamed tools do not show up
Cause: ChatGPT keeps the tool list it read when you created the plugin.
Fix: Open the plugin at chatgpt.com/plugins, select Refresh, then start a new chat.
chatgpt Source
ChatGPT browses the web instead of calling your tool
Cause: Other tools can answer the same request.
Fix: Type @ and pick the plugin, name the tool you want, and add "do not use browsing or other tools".
chatgpt Source
The plugin is not in the @ list
Cause: Creating a custom server makes a plugin but does not install it.
Fix: Open your personal plugins, open the plugin and select the plus button to install it.
chatgpt Source

Verdict

ChatGPT handles hosted MCP servers well: add one from the Plugins page and it asks before any tool changes data. The main limit is that the web version only reaches public or tunneled servers, so local servers need the desktop app.

Best for

People who use ChatGPT on the web and want a hosted service in their chats
Developers testing their own remote MCP server

Skip it if

Your server runs only on your computer and you will not use the desktop app or a tunnel
You need to know your plan allows custom servers before you start

Questions

Can ChatGPT use MCP servers?

Yes. On the web you add a hosted MCP server as a custom plugin from the Plugins page. The ChatGPT desktop app can also run local servers from Settings, then MCP servers.

Do I still need to turn on developer mode?

Not in OpenAI's current steps. You go to chatgpt.com/plugins, select the plus button and choose Add custom MCP server. If that option is missing, your account or workspace rules do not allow custom servers.

Which ChatGPT plans can add a custom MCP server?

OpenAI's setup guide does not list plans. It says account and workspace rules apply, and workspace admins can limit which plugins and tools members use. Check whether Add custom MCP server shows on your Plugins page.

Can ChatGPT connect to a local MCP server?

Not from the web directly. ChatGPT on the web reaches only public HTTPS servers or servers behind OpenAI's Secure MCP Tunnel. The desktop app can start a local server itself.

Does ChatGPT ask before an MCP tool changes my data?

Yes. Tools that can change data need your confirmation by default, and ChatGPT treats any tool not marked read-only as one that can. You can let it remember your choice for one conversation; new chats ask again.

Why does ChatGPT not use my MCP server?

Make sure you installed the plugin after creating it, then type @ and pick it in a new chat. Name the plugin and say not to use browsing or other tools. If you changed the server, select Refresh on its plugin page first.

Why can ChatGPT not connect to my server?

The address must be public HTTPS and usually ends in /mcp. Test it with MCP Inspector and fix sign-in or setup errors it shows, then add it again.

Can I use MCP plugins in the ChatGPT mobile app?

Yes, plugins available to your account work in Chat or Work on mobile. Add the custom server on the web first.

Is it safe to add a custom MCP server to ChatGPT?

Only if you trust the server. OpenAI warns that an untrusted server can read what you share with it or trick ChatGPT into changing or deleting data. Check each change before you approve it.

Information

updated Nov 1, 2026

Transports: SSE, Streamable HTTP
MCP docs: platform.openai.com

Website Docs

Sources

Docs, issue trackers and discussions this page is built from.

Show all 7

Add custom MCP server · developers.openai.com
ChatGPT desktop app · learn.chatgpt.com
Model Context Protocol · learn.chatgpt.com
Connect and test your plugin · developers.openai.com
Secure MCP Tunnel · developers.openai.com
Plugins quickstart · developers.openai.com
Plugins · learn.chatgpt.com