Guides

Connect ChatGPT to Google Workspace MCP with Developer Mode

ChatGPT can use Workspace MCP through ChatGPT Developer Mode. Developer Mode is required for full MCP server tools in ChatGPT, including custom read and write actions from a remote MCP server.

This lets ChatGPT work with Google Workspace through Workspace MCP: Gmail, Drive, Calendar, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, Tasks, Chat, Contacts, Apps Script, and Google Custom Search.

Start setup Server quick start

Requirements

You need ChatGPT on the web with an eligible account, ChatGPT Developer Mode enabled, and a hosted Workspace MCP endpoint. For Workspace MCP Cloud, use your MCP server URL:

https://yoursubdomain.workspacemcp.com/mcp

OpenAI's Developer Mode docs list Pro, Plus, Business, Enterprise, and Education accounts as eligible on the web. The same docs say Developer Mode supports remote MCP servers over SSE and streaming HTTP, with OAuth, no authentication, or mixed authentication.

How to Connect Workspace MCP to ChatGPT

  1. Open ChatGPT on the web. Sign in with a Pro, Plus, Business, Enterprise, or Education account.
  2. Enable Developer Mode. Go to Settings, open Apps, then use Advanced settings to turn on Developer mode.
  3. Create an app for Workspace MCP. In ChatGPT Apps settings, use Create app next to Advanced settings. Add your Workspace MCP remote MCP server URL, such as https://yoursubdomain.workspacemcp.com/mcp.
  4. Authenticate with Google. If your Workspace MCP server uses OAuth, complete the sign-in flow with the Google account you want ChatGPT to use.
  5. Use it in a conversation. Start a new ChatGPT conversation, choose Developer Mode from the Plus menu, and select your Workspace MCP app.
ChatGPT Apps advanced settings showing the Developer mode toggle enabled
Enable Developer Mode from ChatGPT Apps advanced settings before creating the Workspace MCP app.
ChatGPT create app form showing Workspace MCP configured as a remote MCP server
Create the Workspace MCP app in ChatGPT and enter your remote MCP server URL, such as https://yoursubdomain.workspacemcp.com/mcp.

Prompting Tips

Be explicit when asking ChatGPT to use Workspace MCP. Developer Mode can expose many tools, and direct prompts help ChatGPT choose the right Google Workspace tool instead of using built-in tools.

Use the Workspace MCP Calendar tool to list my next five meetings.
Do not use built-in browsing or other tools.

Use Workspace MCP Drive search to find files named quarterly planning.

Use Workspace MCP Gmail to search for unread messages from [email protected].

If multiple tools could apply, include the service and action you want, such as Calendar for meetings, Drive for file lookup, Gmail for email, or Docs for document edits.

Safety Notes

Developer Mode gives ChatGPT access to read and write MCP tools, so use it carefully. Review tool payloads before approving write actions, especially anything that can send email, share files, update documents, create calendar events, or change Google Workspace permissions.

Each person should authenticate with their own Google account. Workspace MCP can only access Google Workspace data that the signed in account already has permission to access.

Troubleshooting

The Create app button is missing

Confirm Developer Mode is enabled. OpenAI's docs say the button only appears when Developer Mode is active.

The Workspace MCP tools do not appear

Open the app details page in ChatGPT settings and refresh the app so ChatGPT pulls the latest tools, descriptions, and server instructions from Workspace MCP.

ChatGPT chooses the wrong tool

Name Workspace MCP and the exact Google Workspace service in your prompt. For example, ask ChatGPT to use the Workspace MCP Calendar tool and avoid other scheduling tools.

Sources

This guide is based on OpenAI's ChatGPT Developer Mode documentation and the OpenAI Developer Community announcement about MCP server tools in ChatGPT Developer Mode.