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Last October, OpenAI quietly began rolling out a feature that hasn’t received nearly as much attention as the latest ChatGPT model updates. The feature—called Apps in ChatGPT—is still expanding today, with new integrations arriving regularly.
Some of the latest apps being added include:
TripAdvisor
Uber
Khan Academy
Peloton
The Apps in ChatGPT feature allows the AI assistant to connect directly with the tools you use most. These integrations include productivity platforms such as:
Google Workspace
Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Teams, and Microsoft Outlook Calendar
Slack
Project management platforms like Asana and Monday.com
Creative and design tools such as Canva and Adobe Photoshop
Financial platforms like Stripe
Previously, I reported on the integration between ChatGPT and Coursera, highlighting how it could help professionals upgrade their skills by tapping directly into Coursera’s course catalog.
But what I didn’t fully anticipate was just how much these integrations could improve productivity—and even income potential.
A Real Productivity Upgrade
For context, I’m a freelance journalist while also running a coaching business and preparing to launch a startup.
A few weeks ago, I told a business partner that what I really needed was an AI assistant capable of scanning the hundreds of emails I receive every week and telling me:
What messages I’ve missed
Which emails need urgent responses
What actions or meetings require priority attention
Like many entrepreneurs, I frequently find myself apologizing for delayed replies simply because my inbox is overflowing. On several occasions, I’ve even missed valuable opportunities buried in my emails.
After testing the Apps in ChatGPT feature, I discovered it could eliminate hours of routine administrative work.
Normally, I would spend 1.5 to 2 hours daily reviewing emails, responding to PR pitches, preparing for meetings, and coordinating with partners across multiple inboxes.
With the integration enabled, I reduced that process to 30–45 minutes.
That translates into eight to nine hours saved per week—a significant amount of reclaimed time.
With AI automation and smart integrations, the idea of a four-day workweek suddenly feels far more realistic.
How To Use Apps In ChatGPT
Here’s how I connected my apps and started using them more effectively.
1. Open Settings
From the ChatGPT homepage, click your name in the lower-left corner and open Settings.
2. Navigate To Apps
In the settings menu, select Apps and click Add More.
3. Explore The Productivity Tab
You’ll see several categories:
Featured
Lifestyle
Productivity
There are over 100 integrations available, ranging from development tools to financial platforms and design software.
Since my main bottleneck was email and scheduling, I focused on Microsoft Outlook and my calendar apps.
4. Integrate Your Apps
After selecting the Outlook apps, I granted permissions allowing ChatGPT to read and analyze my email and calendar information.
Before connecting accounts, make sure to:
Turn off the “Improve the model for everyone” option in data controls if privacy is a concern.
Check with your organization’s IT department if you’re using a corporate or enterprise account.
5. Start Using Your Apps Through ChatGPT
Once connected, you can either select the app when starting a new chat or simply mention it in your prompt.
Here are a few prompts that worked particularly well.
Useful Prompts For Email And Calendar
Prompt Example 1
What 1:1 meetings do I have this week?
ChatGPT responded with:
Dates and times of each meeting
A short summary of each meeting’s purpose
Directly clickable meeting links
Prompt Example 2
Provide a summary of my correspondence with [client name] so far, and summarize their most recent email so I can prepare for our meeting.
ChatGPT returned:
A timeline of our communication
Bullet-point summaries of previous emails and meetings
Context for the upcoming meeting
Talking points to sound well-prepared
Key questions to ask
Likely questions from the client
Prompt Example 3
Scan my inbox and identify PR conversations I started but haven’t replied to within the last two weeks. Also check whether I responded to [name] from [company].
Within seconds, ChatGPT highlighted:
Missed follow-ups
Emails requiring responses
A quick priority list for the day
The “Million-Dollar” Prompt
I also experimented with what I call the “million-dollar prompt.”
This prompt analyzes your inbox and identifies potential partnerships or business opportunities you may have overlooked.
The exact prompt:
What dormant business opportunities from credible organizations could be sitting in my inbox that might lead to revenue-generating partnerships?
For entrepreneurs and creators, this prompt can reveal hidden opportunities and untapped collaborations that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Using Apps In ChatGPT For Financial Insights
I also connected my Stripe account and asked ChatGPT to analyze my revenue.
Prompt example:
Create a spreadsheet dashboard summarizing my Q1 2026 sales data while removing payment IDs.
Using advanced reasoning mode, ChatGPT spent about 13 minutes processing the data and produced a fully structured Excel spreadsheet that included:
A revenue dashboard
A detailed sales tab
Notes and insights
The result looked like something an accountant would prepare—and saved me several hours of manual work.
Another Useful Prompt For Calendar Optimization
You can also use ChatGPT to maximize productivity in scheduled work blocks.
Example:
For my [time block] this week, suggest high-impact activities I can complete within that hour to generate more revenue.
This prompt is especially valuable for professionals who have limited time to work on side projects or entrepreneurial ventures.
The Result
After running these prompts on a Sunday morning, I started the week with:
Complete visibility over my upcoming meetings
A prioritized inbox
Newly discovered business opportunities
Better use of my professional network
And all of this took less than one hour.
For busy entrepreneurs, freelancers, and executives, the Apps in ChatGPT feature demonstrates how AI can go beyond answering questions—it can act as a true operational assistant, saving time while uncovering new opportunities for growth.