How to Enable ChatGPT Developer Mode: Complete Guide

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Enable full MCP support for tools with read and write capabilities
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Developer Mode in ChatGPT is a new feature of ChatGPT paid accounts that is still in beta mode. It adds full Model Context Protocol support for all tools with read and write capabilities. This allows you to connect ChatGPT to external systems and platforms as well as various APIs and databases. ChatGPT can then use these tools to automate business tasks, query databases, modify data, and more using your own business tools. OpenAI describes this feature as “powerful, but dangerous.” It is intended for developers who understand how to safely test and deploy various connectors. This wikiHow article teaches you how to enable and use developer mode in ChatGPT.

Quickly Enable Developer Mode

  1. Log in to ChatGPT with a paid account.
  2. Click your name or profile icon in the lower-left corner.
  3. Click Settings > Apps & Connectors > Advanced settings.
  4. Click the toggle switch to enable developer mode.
Section 1 of 3:

Enabling Developer Mode

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  1. 1
    Make sure you have a paid account. Developer mode is only available to users that have a subscription to ChatGPT Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, or Education accounts. Developer mode is not available to free users.
  2. 2
    Log in to ChatGPT. Go to chatgpt.com in a web browser and log in to your account.
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  3. 3
    Open the Settings menu. To do so, click your profile picture or name in the bottom-left corner. Then click Settings. It’s next to an icon that resembles a gear.
  4. 4
    Click Apps & Connectors. It’s next to an icon that resembles 4 circles with two of them connected by a line. This displays a list of apps you can connect to ChatGPT.
  5. 5
    Click Advanced settings. It’s at the bottom of the Apps & Connectors settings menu.
  6. 6
    Toggle Developer mode on. You’ll see the toggle switch next to “Developer mode” at the top of the page. Click the toggle switch to enable developer mode.[1]
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Section 2 of 3:

Adding Custom Connectors

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  1. 1
    Understand the risks. OpenAI warns of the risks associated with using custom connectors. Make sure you are only connecting trusted apps from official sources. Watch out for prompt injection attacks where data can be manipulated or stolen. Also, be careful of any model mistakes on write actions that may destroy or corrupt your data. Be sure to test all connectors carefully and confirm that your write actions work before deploying them.
  2. 2
    Log in to ChatGPT. Go to chatgpt.com in a web browser and log in to your account.
  3. 3
    Open the Settings menu. To do so, click your profile picture or name in the bottom-left corner. Then click Settings. It’s next to an icon that resembles a gear.
  4. 4
    Click Apps & Connectors. It’s next to an icon that resembles 4 circles with two of them connected. This displays a list of apps you can connect to ChatGPT.
  5. 5
    Check if the app you want to add is already available. Look through all the apps that are available on the Apps & Connectors page. If the app you want to connect is already listed, it is recommended you click the app on the connectors page and follow the instructions to connect it through ChatGPT.
  6. 6
    Click Create. It’s at the top of the list of apps on the right side. This opens the page that allows you to connect a custom MCP server.
  7. 7
    Enter the name of the connector. This can be the name of the app you want to integrate or anything you want. Enter a name in the “Name” field.
  8. 8
    Enter a description. Next, you’ll want to enter a description of what the connector does.
  9. 9
    Enter the MCP server URL. You’ll need to get this from the official webpage or documentation for the app you want to connect. Make sure you enter the official MCP server URL.
    • Zapier provides MCP connections and actions with a variety of apps, including Slack, Salesforce, Shopify, Google products, QuickBooks, and a whole lot more. You can add more connectors through the Zapier connector.
  10. 10
    Select an authentication method. Use the drop-down menu below “Authentication” to select an authentication method. Currently, ChatGPT supports OAuth, or no authentication.
  11. 11
    Check the checkbox next to "I trust this application". This ensures that you understand that custom connectors are not verified by ChatGPT and you accept the risks associated with adding custom connectors.
  12. 12
    Click Create. This creates a new custom connection that you can access in ChatGPT.
  13. 13
    Log in to the app. You may need to log in to the app you are trying to connect. If so, you will be redirected to a log in page where you can log in.
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Section 3 of 3:

Using Developer Mode in Chats

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  1. 1
    Start a new chat. For some reason, developer mode currently doesn’t work in GPTs or projects. You’ll need to start a new chat.
  2. 2
    Ensure Developer Mode is enabled. Make sure the Developer Mode toggle switch is enabled in the Advanced Settings menu in the Apps & Connectors menu.
  3. 3
    Enable the apps and connectors you want to use. To do so, click the plus sign (+) next to the ChatGPT text input box. Click More at the bottom of the menu and click Developer Mode. This will display a drop-down menu for each connector below the text input box. Click the drop-down menu and click the toggle switch to enable the connector.
  4. 4
    Be specific in your prompts. Use the exact name of the connector and the exact tool you want to use in your prompts. Use the exact file name of the file you want to modify.
    • For example, you could use the prompt “Update Google Sheets document called 'Student Information.’ Take each student’s birthday from Column C (Birthday) and update Column D (Age) with the student’s age.”
  5. 5
    Tell ChatGPT not to use similar connectors and tools you don’t want it to use. To avoid ambiguity, state similar tools and actions you don’t want ChatGPT to use.[2]
    • For example, you could say “Use the “get_contact” to retrieve contact information from Company_Contacts in Google Contacts. Do not use the “get_other_contact” action.”
  6. 6
    State preferred tools and connectors. For example, you could say “Use “Main_Database” for main queries. Only use “Backup_Database” if “Main_Database” is offline.
  7. 7
    Specify the sequence for complex tasks. This is especially true for coding and other complex instructions. State the exact order you want the actions to take place.
    • For example, you could say “First call Repo.input_file with { path: "…" }. Then call Repo.output_file with the modified content.”
  8. 8
    Review tool calls before execution. All write actions require confirmation. Inspect the action carefully before confirming. ChatGPT displays a complete JSON payload for each tool call. Inspect and debug it carefully. Make sure it matches your intent. Wrong inputs can lead to data loss and permanent damage to your system..[3]
    • You can set it to remember a specific tool choice for the remainder of a conversation. It will apply the same choice for the rest of the conversation.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How can I change it back to normal?
    Rupert
    Rupert
    Top Answerer
    Developer mode only applies to the one chat you start it in. To go back to normal, just start a new chat by clicking on the option in the top left of the screen. Alternatively, you can simply ask the AI to stop emulating developer mode, and that should work too.
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References

  1. ↑ https://platform.openai.com/docs/guides/developer-mode
  2. ↑ https://mcpmarket.com/server/google-contacts
  3. ↑ https://devops.com/chatgpt-developer-mode-full-mcp-access-with-serious-responsibilities/

About This Article

Tyrone Showers
Co-authored by:
Tyrone Showers
Technologist
This article was co-authored by Tyrone Showers. Tyrone Showers is a Technologist and the Co-owner of Taliferro Group, an IT consulting company based in Seattle, Washington. With over 35 years of professional experience, he specializes in API Design, e-Commerce, Operational Efficiency, and website development. He has a B.S. in Computer Science from DeVry Institute of Technology. This article has been viewed 133,502 times.
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Co-authors: 7
Updated: October 30, 2025
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