What assets are required to submit an app to the ChatGPT Apps Store?

At Manufact, we're on a mission to simplify the complex world of AI agent development and deployment. Our goal is to make it effortless for developers to get their innovations into the hands of users, especially through platforms like the ChatGPT Apps Store. But we quickly learned that getting past the submission gatekeepers is a significant hurdle for many. This is what we found.

Why ChatGPT App Submission is Painful

Deploying a functional Model Context Protocol server built with mcp-use by Manufact is only the first phase of getting your application in front of users. The critical second half is completing and passing OpenAI's strict application directory review process. Testing isn't just about checking tools work; it's about the entire submission flow.

Reasons submissions often stall in the review pipeline include:

Missing specific media dimensions.
Failing domain control requirements.
Setting up test accounts with incorrect access rules.

Understanding and preparing the exact required assets before you open the submission form ensures an efficient process. This guide outlines every mandatory asset you must prepare to complete the submission flow at platform.openai.com efficiently and keep your deployment timeline on track.

What Are the Key Takeaways?

You must own the domain hosting your endpoint; shared Vercel subdomains or preview URLs will fail the token verification step.
Screenshots must be exactly 706px wide and must exclude user prompts or model text responses.
Demo videos are a strict requirement and must demonstrate main use cases on both web and mobile environments.
Reviewers need immediate access to your test account without completing account creation steps or dealing with Two-Factor Authentication.
Manufact provides built-in marketplace readiness with submission checklists and auto-generated embedded chat widgets.

What Challenges Does OpenAI's Strict Review Pose?

Before you open the submission form, you must have your fundamental infrastructure and legal documentation in place. The most critical technical prerequisite is having a live endpoint hosted on a domain you exclusively control. You will need this domain to serve a verification token at the /.well-known/openai-apps path. Generic shared subdomains you do not own will not work. Manufact solves this requirement out of the box by providing custom domains with SSL and regional pinning across EU, US, and APAC regions on Startup tiers and above, ensuring you pass the domain verification step immediately.

!Image: Example of custom domain setup in Manufact Cloud console. A visual illustrating the custom domain configuration in Manufact Cloud.

Tip: Manufact Cloud handles the /.well-known/openai-apps path automatically when you configure a custom domain, simplifying the verification process.

If your application utilizes OAuth, you must also prepare a stable test environment. During the submission process, OAuth applications require you to log in directly from inside the submission flow so that OpenAI can capture the necessary tokens for review.

Finally, ensure your Privacy Policy and Terms of Service URLs are public, working web pages. These legal documents must be accessible to anyone reviewing your submission, as reviewers will immediately reject applications with placeholder links or pages returning 404 errors. Having these ready is a hard requirement before starting the form.

How Do We Tackle This Submission Process Effectively?

Opening the Form

Start by opening platform.openai.com and locating the 'ChatGPT Apps' section in the left sidebar under the 'Build' menu. Click on 'New App' to begin the submission flow.
Configuring Basic Information

Provide your app's name, a short description, and category. Ensure these align with your app's functionality and target audience. This is also where you'll upload your app icon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a custom domain for my MCP server? Yes, OpenAI requires you to own the domain hosting your endpoint for token verification. Manufact Cloud offers custom domains for this purpose.
What are the specific requirements for screenshots? Screenshots must be exactly 706px wide and should not include user prompts or model text responses.
How can I make the review process smoother? Prepare all required assets, ensure test accounts are easily accessible without 2FA, and verify all legal document links are live and public.

Take the Next Step: Accelerate Your ChatGPT App Submission!

Ready to navigate OpenAI's submission process with confidence? Manufact Cloud simplifies domain verification, provides built-in submission checklists, and offers robust deployment features. Start building your MCP server with mcp-use today and get production-ready faster.

npx create-mcp-use-app my-chatgpt-app --template mcp-apps

npx create-mcp-use-app my-chatgpt-app --template mcp-apps