ChatGPT Agents
A ChatGPT agent is a system that can autonomously plan and execute multi-step tasks — chaining tool calls, app integrations, and reasoning to complete a goal. Agents often use multiple apps as building blocks but they are not themselves apps. The terminology is fluid; OpenAI uses it both for product features and for the broader category.
What makes something an agent
The defining feature is autonomy across multiple steps. A regular chat exchange is one step — you ask, the model responds. An agent takes a goal — 'plan and book my trip to Lisbon next month' — and executes a sequence of sub-tasks, calling tools as needed, making sub-decisions, and following through to completion. It might use the Kayak app to find flights, the Booking app for hotels, your calendar for date constraints, and your email to send confirmations. The user gives the goal; the agent figures out the steps.
Agents vs apps
Apps are building blocks. An agent is the orchestrator. A single app (Canva, Spotify, Wolfram) does one job inside chat. An agent uses multiple apps in sequence to accomplish a complex goal. From a ranking perspective, we score apps; how an agent orchestrates them is a separate question — and one that benefits from each underlying app being well-scored.
Agents vs GPTs
A GPT is a configured assistant with a fixed persona and instructions. An agent is a more general capability — it can plan, decide, and execute without a pre-defined script. In practice the line is fuzzy: some GPTs are essentially mini-agents with tightly scoped goals, and some agents are built on top of GPT-like configurations. OpenAI uses both terms.
Why this matters for users
If you've heard about ChatGPT agents and want to know whether you can run them today — the answer depends on your plan and the specific product. Some agent features are available; others are in preview or limited access. For the apps side, what matters is that any app you connect can potentially be used by an agent automation later. Connecting good apps is foundational regardless of whether you use agents today.