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How to add Pilely to ChatGPT

Pilely works inside ChatGPT. Add it once as a custom MCP server, and ChatGPT can build your app, put it online at its own link and keep improving it, all from an ordinary chat. You add it on chatgpt.com in a web browser; after that, you can use it in the ChatGPT app on your phone too. You don’t need Codex, a folder on your computer or any coding.

Jump to: Add it on the web · Use it on your phone · Business and Enterprise workspaces · Your first app

What you need

  • A ChatGPT plan that lets you add a custom MCP server. OpenAI is still rolling this out, and which plans include it changes. If you don’t see Add custom MCP server in the steps below, your plan doesn’t offer it yet.
  • A web browser for the one-time setup. Custom MCP servers are added on chatgpt.com, not in the phone app; your phone’s browser works too.
  • An email address. Pilely signs you in with a code sent to it. There is no password, and your first sign-in creates your Pilely account.

The connector address

This is the one thing to copy exactly. ChatGPT asks for it when you add Pilely:

Add it on the web (chatgpt.com)

  1. Open chatgpt.com and sign in.
  2. Open Customize in the sidebar, then Plugins.
  3. Choose Add at the top right, then Add custom MCP server.
  4. Name it Pilely. Under Connection, keep Server URL and paste https://mcp.pilely.app/mcp.
  5. Keep OAuth under Authentication. You don’t need the advanced OAuth settings.
  6. Read the warning, tick I understand and want to continue, and choose Create as a plugin.
  7. Pilely’s sign-in page opens: sign in to Pilely. When you’re back, Pilely is listed under Installed in Customize.

Sign in to Pilely

  1. Enter your email address on the Pilely sign-in page at auth.pilely.app.
  2. Open the email from Pilely and enter the 6-digit code.
  3. Pilely asks Connect to Pilely? Choose Approve. You’re sent back to ChatGPT.

Only ever type the code into Pilely’s sign-in page, never into a chat.

Use it on your phone (iPhone and Android)

Your plugins follow your ChatGPT account, so once Pilely is added on the web, it’s in the ChatGPT app on your phone too.

  1. Add Pilely on chatgpt.com first.
  2. Open the ChatGPT app on your phone and start a new chat.
  3. Type @Pilely and describe your app. If Pilely doesn’t show up, close and reopen the app.

Business and Enterprise workspaces

In a company or school workspace, an admin decides who can add custom MCP servers.

  • Business: only admins and owners can add Pilely, and Create plugins with MCPs must be allowed in the workspace settings.
  • Enterprise and Edu: admins and owners can add Pilely, and can let other members do it through roles.
  • Members: ask an admin to add Pilely and publish it for the workspace. Then each person connects with their own Pilely account.

Build your first app

Start a new chat, type @Pilely to bring in Pilely, and send a message like this one, or describe your own app in your own words:

  1. ChatGPT may ask a question or two about what you want.
  2. ChatGPT builds the app with Pilely and publishes it, then gives you its link. Open it: your app is live, and you can send the link to anyone.
  3. Keep going in the same chat. Ask for changes whenever you like, and ChatGPT puts the new version online.

That link is how you know everything works.

If something doesn’t work

  • There is no Add custom MCP server option. Your plan doesn’t offer custom MCP servers yet, or a workspace admin has turned them off. See Business and Enterprise workspaces.
  • ChatGPT doesn’t use Pilely. Start a new chat and type @Pilely before your message.
  • The code doesn’t arrive. Check your spam folder, then ask for a new code on the sign-in page.
  • ChatGPT asks you to connect again. Sign in to Pilely again when ChatGPT asks. This happens from time to time.

Common questions

Do I need Codex? No. Pilely works in any ChatGPT chat once it’s added. If you do use Codex, there is also a guide for building with Codex.

What can ChatGPT do with Pilely? It can create your apps, read and change their files, publish them, and read or change their data, on your Pilely account only. You can remove Pilely any time under Customize and Plugins.

What does it cost? Building uses the ChatGPT plan you already have. Running your app is paid for with prepaid Pilely credits, and you pay only for what it uses. New accounts get up to $5 of free credit to start.

Can I use Claude instead? Yes. Your apps, data and users live on Pilely, not inside a chat, so you can switch any time. See how to add Pilely to Claude.

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