How to Connect MCP Servers to ChatGPT (Connectors & Developer Mode)
Last updated 2026-09-14
Quick answer
Yes — ChatGPT supports the Model Context Protocol through connectors. On capable plans you can turn on Developer mode and add a custom connector that points at a remote MCP server URL, after which ChatGPT can call that server's tools during a conversation. The key difference from desktop clients: ChatGPT connects to remote (HTTP/SSE) servers and cannot launch a local npx or uvx server for you.
How ChatGPT uses MCP
ChatGPT's connectors are built on MCP. Instead of a local config file, ChatGPT stores a remote server URL and connects over Streamable HTTP or SSE. When a connector is enabled in a chat, ChatGPT can call the tools that server exposes — search, fetch, database queries, and so on.
Custom connectors are gated behind Developer mode, which is rolled out on paid plans. Exact menus and availability vary by plan and region, so treat the steps below as the general flow.
What you need
Before you start, line up the following:
- ▸A ChatGPT plan with connectors and Developer mode (Plus, Pro, Business or Enterprise — check your plan)
- ▸A remote MCP server URL (Streamable HTTP or SSE) — not a local stdio server
- ▸Any API key or OAuth sign-in the server requires
Step by step
The flow is similar across plans:
- ▸Open ChatGPT settings and go to Connectors
- ▸Turn on Developer mode (sometimes under Advanced or Beta)
- ▸Choose add a custom connector and paste the server's MCP URL
- ▸Complete any sign-in or OAuth the server requests
- ▸In a new chat, enable the connector and ask ChatGPT to use its tools
Local vs remote servers
This is the most common stumbling block. A server you run locally with npx or uvx exposes a stdio process — ChatGPT cannot reach that over the internet. To use it you need a remote endpoint: either a hosted MCP server from the vendor (Cloudflare, Stripe, Notion, Supabase and others run their own) or your local server exposed through a tunnel. If you just want to use local servers, a desktop client like Claude Desktop or Cursor is simpler.
Best servers to connect to ChatGPT
Remote-friendly servers that pair well with ChatGPT:
- ▸Search — Exa, Tavily or Brave Search for grounded, citable results
- ▸Fetch / Firecrawl — turn any URL or site into clean text
- ▸GitHub — issues, pull requests and code search
- ▸Notion — read and update your workspace pages
- ▸Supabase / Postgres — ask questions of your own data
- ▸Cloudflare, Stripe, Sentry — manage infrastructure, payments and errors
Security
A connector sees whatever data you route through it, and ChatGPT will send the server's tool results back into the model. Only enable connectors you trust, prefer read-only tools where you can, and keep a human in the loop for actions that write, send or spend. See the MCP security guide for the full checklist.
Frequently asked questions
Does ChatGPT support MCP?＋
Yes. ChatGPT uses MCP through connectors, and Developer mode lets you add custom connectors that point at a remote MCP server URL. Availability depends on your plan and region.
Can ChatGPT use local MCP servers?＋
Not directly. ChatGPT connects to remote HTTP/SSE servers, so it cannot launch a local npx or uvx process. Use a hosted server or expose your local server through a tunnel, or use a desktop client for local servers.
Which ChatGPT plans support custom connectors?＋
Custom connectors via Developer mode are available on paid plans (Plus, Pro, Business and Enterprise), with the rollout varying by plan and region.
How is ChatGPT different from Claude Desktop for MCP?＋
Claude Desktop runs local stdio servers from a JSON config, which is ideal for filesystem and developer tools. ChatGPT is remote-first and works best with hosted MCP endpoints.