cd /news/agent-protocols/openai-mcp-extensions · home › topics › agent-protocols › article
[ARTICLE · art-142674] src=github.com ↗ pub= topic=agent-protocols verified=true sentiment=↑ positive

OpenAI MCP Extensions

OpenAI released MCP Extensions, an open-source project that adds ChatGPT-specific capabilities to the Model Context Protocol so developers can build plugins that behave like native features. The extensions let plugins appear in the ChatGPT sidebar, render custom file viewers for supported file types, let users search a plugin's resources from the composer and add references to a message, and support thumbnail-based selection such as picking a CAD part. The project ships TypeScript and Python SDKs — `@openai/mcp-extensions` for MCP servers and Apps, and `openai-mcp-extensions` for MCP servers — under the Apache License 2.0.

read1 min views1 publishedSep 30, 2026
OpenAI MCP Extensions
Image: Michielbdejong (auto-discovered)

OpenAI MCP Extensions adds ChatGPT-specific capabilities to MCP so developers can build plugins that feel like native, first-class features.

All examples below use the Bits & Bolts plugin, which you can try by installing the plugin. Allow users to access your app from the sidebar.

Render custom file viewers when users open a supported file type.

Let users search your plugin’s resources from the composer and add references to a message.

Let users select a CAD part using thumbnail choices.

Install the Bits & Bolts Remote plugin:

Install Bits & Bolts Remote from the plugin directory . 2.

Select Bits & Bolts Remote in the sidebar to open theParts Library . Read the plugin documentation about how to create a plugin. Once you have a plugin…

Follow the SDK installation instructions for the current source:

- [TypeScript](https://github.com/openai/mcp-extensions/blob/main/typescript/README.md#installation) :`@openai/mcp-extensions` for MCP servers and Apps.
- [Python](https://github.com/openai/mcp-extensions/blob/main/python/README.md#installation) :`openai-mcp-extensions` for MCP servers.

Read the spec to learn more about supported extensions.

This project is licensed under the Apache License 2.0.

source & further reading
github.com — original article An MCP server that gates/verifies/screens before agents act Show HN: WattzGOAT – an intentionally vulnerable web app for security training Paldron – policy gate and sandbox around whatever your coding agent runs
── more in #agent-protocols 4 stories · sorted by recency
── more on @openai 3 stories trending now
sponsored brought to you by zahid.host 4,200+ EU-deployed projects
reading about agents? ship yours in a single git push.

Run your AI side-project on zahid.host

EU-based hosting, git-push deploys, automatic HTTPS, no cold starts. Free tier with a custom domain — perfect for shipping the agent you just read about.

$git push zahid main
→ Live at https://your-agent.zahid.host ✓
Get free account → Pricing
from €0/mo · no card required
LIVE [news/openai-mcp-extension…] indexed:0 read:1min 2026-09-30 · —