# Blog

News, explainers and roundups about ChatGPT plugins, apps and MCP.

- [ChatGPT plugin for Excel & Google Sheets (2026 guide)](https://chatgptplugins.directory/blog/chatgpt-for-excel-and-google-sheets-guide.md) (2026-10-22): How to install and use ChatGPT for Excel and Google Sheets: plans, setup steps, prompts, skills, apps, Codex, limits, privacy and the best alternatives.
- [Governing AI agents: the Blueprint Alliance whitepaper, summarized](https://chatgptplugins.directory/blog/blueprint-alliance-governing-agentic-execution.md) (2026-10-22): A summary of the Blueprint Alliance whitepaper on securing enterprise AI agents: six principles, four pillars, the MCP controls it calls for and where to start.
- [How to set up the Exa MCP server: a hands-on guide](https://chatgptplugins.directory/blog/how-to-set-up-exa-mcp-server.md) (2026-10-13): Connect Exa's hosted MCP server to Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code, Codex or ChatGPT, pick an auth mode, enable advanced tools, and debug it with curl.
- [The best ChatGPT plugins for everyday work and life (October 2026)](https://chatgptplugins.directory/blog/best-chatgpt-plugins-for-everyday-work.md) (2026-10-04): 12 ChatGPT plugins and apps for email, calendars, documents, PDFs, design, travel, dining, groceries, music, home search and learning, and what each one does.
- [ChatGPT plugin and MCP server security checklist](https://chatgptplugins.directory/blog/chatgpt-plugin-security-checklist.md) (2026-10-03): Check these before installing a ChatGPT plugin or MCP server: publisher, OAuth scopes, write actions, prompt injection, data retention and admin controls.
- [The best ChatGPT plugins for developers (October 2026)](https://chatgptplugins.directory/blog/best-chatgpt-plugins-for-developers.md) (2026-10-03): 12 ChatGPT and Codex plugins and MCP servers worth installing as a developer: GitHub, Linear, Sentry, Vercel, Supabase, Stripe, Figma, Context7 and more.
- [DevDay 2026: what it means for plugin builders](https://chatgptplugins.directory/blog/devday-2026-what-it-means-for-plugin-builders.md) (2026-09-30): Plugin Extensions, MCP Events, Sign in with ChatGPT, dots and new admin controls: the DevDay 2026 announcements that matter if you build or use plugins.
- [Plugins vs apps vs MCP servers vs skills: what's the difference?](https://chatgptplugins.directory/blog/plugins-vs-apps-vs-mcp-servers-vs-skills.md) (2026-09-22): How ChatGPT plugins, apps, MCP servers and skills relate, with a comparison table and a quick guide to which one you need as a user or a builder.
- [What happened to ChatGPT plugins?](https://chatgptplugins.directory/blog/what-happened-to-chatgpt-plugins.md) (2026-09-15): ChatGPT plugins shut down in 2024, gave way to GPTs, connectors and apps, and came back in 2026 as something new. The full 2023-2026 timeline.
- [The ChatGPT App Directory is now the Plugin Directory](https://chatgptplugins.directory/blog/app-directory-is-now-the-plugin-directory.md) (2026-07-10): On July 9, 2026 OpenAI replaced the ChatGPT App Directory with the Plugin Directory. What changed, what stayed the same, and what users and builders should do.
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Source: https://chatgptplugins.directory/blog · Index: https://chatgptplugins.directory/llms.txt · Independent and community-run. Not affiliated with or endorsed by OpenAI. ChatGPT is a trademark of OpenAI.