--- title: "AI Quick Tips 289: ChatGPT apps" description: Discover how to connect and use external applications within ChatGPT's new app directory, enhancing your AI interaction with ease. 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[Human + AI Playbook Template](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/human-ai-playbook) - [NotebookLM Masterclass](https://maven.com/thoughts-brewing-llc/learn-notebooklm-in-a-weekend-2-cohort) - [Fractional COO/CTO Services](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/fractional-coo/cto-services) - [Contact](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/en-us/contact) What are you looking for? # AI Quick Tips 289: ChatGPT apps February 17, 2026 ![Picture of Damien Griffin](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/20cb51297a34e5d5d7c3362ec1fae755) [Damien Griffin](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog/author/damien) ![A graphic title card on a dark blue background. On the left is an orange robot head with a speech bubble containing the text 'AI'. To the right is a light blue circle containing the words 'Quick Tips'.](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/hubfs/AI%20Quick%20Tips-1.jpg) For such a simple looking interface, they really hide a lot of features in ChatGPT… This one is fairly new *(well, I guess that depends on when you are reading this)* and I’m not sure what to call it.  I’ve heard others call it an app store.  “*Store*” to me implies that you can buy things which you can’t here, yet.  I think that Open AI calls it an app directory so let’s go with that.  What you are now able to do is connect to a library of external applications and have conversations with them and/or get them to make things for you.   If you expand the sidebar in ChatGPT and click on Apps, you can go through the list![Screenshot of the ChatGPT sidebar with an orange arrow highlighting the "Apps" icon in the navigation menu.](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Jan-16-2026-06-49-51-4850-PM.png?width=1416&height=876&name=undefined-Jan-16-2026-06-49-51-4850-PM.png) There are actually 3 tabs of apps to go through![The ChatGPT Apps directory interface showing a featured banner for "Clay" and category tabs for "Featured," "Productivity," and "Lifestyle" highlighted by orange arrows.](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Jan-16-2026-06-49-51-8244-PM.png?width=1005&height=1086&name=undefined-Jan-16-2026-06-49-51-8244-PM.png) If you want to use an app, you have to connect to it first.  Click on the app that you want and then you’ll have an option to connect to it![Information page for the Target app integration within ChatGPT, with an orange arrow pointing to the "Connect" button.](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Jan-16-2026-06-49-51-0497-PM.png?width=928&height=1013&name=undefined-Jan-16-2026-06-49-51-0497-PM.png) Each app has their own connection rules, privacy policies, data that’s shared, etc. so make sure that you read through what information the apps are sharing with each other.  This feature is fairly new and security is often an afterthought… One of the other ways that you can connect to an app is through the main chat interface.  Put in an “@” and then a menu will appear *([see below for a video on the "@" options)](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog/ai-quick-tips-289-chatgpt-apps#video)* and you can either type in the name of the app that you want of select it from the list![ChatGPT message bar showing a dropdown menu of integrated apps that appears after typing the "@" symbol.](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/undefined-Jan-16-2026-06-49-50-7731-PM.png?width=851&height=478&name=undefined-Jan-16-2026-06-49-50-7731-PM.png) It’s an interesting feature with a lot of options and possibilities.  You can even make your own apps if you want.   Here’s the OpenAI help page for apps in case you want more information → [ https://help.openai.com/en/articles/11487775-apps-in-chatgpt]( https://help.openai.com/en/articles/11487775-apps-in-chatgpt)[https://help.openai.com/en/articles/11487775-apps-in-chatgpt]( https://help.openai.com/en/articles/11487775-apps-in-chatgpt) Going through all of that information here would be way outside of a “quick” tip. --- #### How to use the "@" to call customGPTs Video →     ![A cartoon illustration shows an orange monster character holding a tablet with a ](https://thoughtsbrewing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Gemini_Generated_Image_b4xgxhb4xgxhb4xg.png?width=600&height=496&name=Gemini_Generated_Image_b4xgxhb4xgxhb4xg.png) ## Ready to Use AI for Real Work (Not Just Shopping)? 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Learn more about this feature today.", "text": "For such a simple looking interface, they really hide a lot of features in ChatGPT… This one is fairly new (well, I guess that depends on when you are reading this) and I’m not sure what to call it. I’ve heard others call it an app store. “Store” to me implies that you can buy things which you can’t here, yet. I think that Open AI calls it an app directory so let’s go with that. What you are now able to do is connect to a library of external applications and have conversations with them and/or get them to make things for you. If you expand the sidebar in ChatGPT and click on Apps, you can go through the list There are actually 3 tabs of apps to go through If you want to use an app, you have to connect to it first. Click on the app that you want and then you’ll have an option to connect to it Each app has their own connection rules, privacy policies, data that’s shared, etc. so make sure that you read through what information the apps are sharing with each other. This feature is fairly new and security is often an afterthought… One of the other ways that you can connect to an app is through the main chat interface. Put in an “@” and then a menu will appear (see below for a video on the "@" options) and you can either type in the name of the app that you want of select it from the list It’s an interesting feature with a lot of options and possibilities. You can even make your own apps if you want. Here’s the OpenAI help page for apps in case you want more information → https://help.openai.com/en/articles/11487775-apps-in-chatgpt Going through all of that information here would be way outside of a “quick” tip. How to use the "@" to call customGPTs Video → Ready to Use AI for Real Work (Not Just Shopping)? Next-Level AI Workshops help you build systems, workflows, and habits that actually stick. Apply Now →", "url": "https://thoughtsbrewing.com/blog/ai-quick-tips-289-chatgpt-apps", "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Thoughts Brewing, LLC", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://24461783.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/24461783/Thoughts%20Brewing%20Logo_Round_Final_Light%20Blue_Transparent%20Background-1.png" } }, "inLanguage": "en", "keywords": "[AI Quick Tips, AI, ChatGPT, ChatGPT5]" } ```