ChatGPT apps

OpenAI's connector layer — browser-based integrations with Canva, Figma, Spotify and friends.

Pick this when

You're already in ChatGPT and the task is a single-tool job in a web service — otherwise Claude's desktop connectors go further.

What makes it different

Zero install — it's all in the browser under Settings → Apps

Design integrations that produce finished, editable artifacts in-chat (the Canva invitation demo)

Connects web services to ChatGPT and runs them from the conversation

Returns editable results — a Canva design opens in Canva for refinement

Common wrong expectations

Doesn't run more than one tool per chat — selecting image generation dropped the Canva connection live

Doesn't reach your machine — no filesystem, no local CPU

Doesn't offer Google apps, and was markedly less reliable than Claude's (~4/10 vs ~7/10) at session time

Single-step creative tasks inside web tools. Multi-step workflows belong on the desktop side or in n8n.

Shelf

MCP & connectors

Our status · not-using

No ChatGPT subscription in the stack.

For your projects

Useful comparison point when explaining why the pipeline is desktop-based: the work needs local files, which rules the browser route out entirely.

Freshness

current

claude-desktop-mcp: the two routes to the same idea; opposite architectural bets

canva: the flagship app in the BC5 demo

Session	Coverage	Moment	What happened
Basecamp 5: MCP	demonstrated	2:23:07	Settings → Apps → add more; Canva connected and invitation designed in-chat; one-tool-per-chat limitation shown