UI guidelines (Apps SDK, apps in ChatGPT)

Source: OpenAI Apps SDK design guidelines · undated

Optional plugin UI can extend what users can do without breaking the flow of conversation. Use cards, carousels, fullscreen views, and other display modes only when visual interaction improves the workflow.

Display modes are the surfaces developers use to create experiences for apps in ChatGPT. They allow partners to show content and actions that feel native to conversation. Each mode is designed for a specific type of interaction, from quick confirmations to immersive workflows.

The inline display mode appears directly in the flow of the conversation. Inline surfaces currently always appear before the generated model response. Every app initially appears inline.

Follow-up: A short, model-generated response shown after the widget to suggest edits, next steps, or related actions. Avoid content that is redundant with the card.

Lightweight, single-purpose widgets embedded directly in conversation. They provide quick confirmations, basic actions, or visual aids.

Primary actions: Limit to two actions, placed at bottom of card. Actions should perform either a conversation turn or a tool call.

Cards support basic direct interaction.

States: Edits made are persisted.

Immersive experiences that expand beyond the inline card, giving users space for multi-step workflows or deeper exploration. The ChatGPT composer remains overlaid, allowing users to continue “talking to the app” through natural conversation in the context of the fullscreen view.

Design your UX to work with the system composer. The composer is always present in fullscreen, so make sure your experience supports conversational prompts that can trigger tool calls and feel natural for users.

A persistent floating window inside ChatGPT optimized for ongoing or live sessions like games or videos. PiP remains visible while the conversation continues, and it can update dynamically in response to user prompts.

Activities that run in parallel with conversation, such as a game, live collaboration, quiz, or learning session.

Ensure the PiP state can update or respond when users interact through the system composer.

Every partner experience should be usable by the widest possible audience. Accessibility should be a core consideration when you are building apps for ChatGPT.

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