ChatGPT Sites: Creating Internal Pages and Lightweight Apps via Codex

OpenAI has introduced ChatGPT Sites, a feature that enables users to create and deploy internal websites and lightweight interactive apps directly from the Codex desktop app. This tool allows teams to move from a conceptual description of a tool to a live, hosted page accessible to workspace members without requiring manual coding.

Core Capabilities of ChatGPT Sites

ChatGPT Sites allows users to transform a prompt into a functional internal tool. The system provides integrated hosting, access controls, storage, and database support to ensure that deployed sites are manageable within an organization's workspace.

Internal Sites vs. Lightweight Apps

While both are created through the same process, they serve different organizational purposes:

• Internal Sites: These are static or informational webpages designed to centralize resources. Examples include launch trackers with milestones and links, or onboarding pages for new project members.
• Lightweight Apps: These are interactive tools that allow users to manipulate information. Examples include calculators for comparing project options or dashboards that present data in a consistent format.

Comparison of Tooling Scope

Format	Primary Use Case	Example
Document	Reading or sharing information	Written launch plan
Internal Site	Centralizing a group's reference page	Launch tracker with milestones
Lightweight App	Interactive data work	Option-comparison calculator
Software Project	Complex, long-term product needs	Custom system with advanced infrastructure

Technical Workflow for Building and Deploying

Building a site in Codex follows a four-step iterative process:

1. Description: The user describes the site's purpose and target audience (e.g., requesting a launch tracker with specific sections for risks and owners).
2. Review: The user tests the initial version's structure, labels, and interactive elements within the Codex environment.
3. Iteration: The user provides feedback to Codex to adjust the layout or functionality, such as moving sections or adding filters.
4. Deployment: The user asks Codex to deploy the site, which generates a URL. The final site is then shared via a "Share" button, with access controlled by workspace settings.

Note: The in-app browser is not currently supported; users must open the deployed link in Chrome to verify the site before sharing.

Data Integration and Automation

ChatGPT Sites cannot connect directly to live data sources. To keep information current, users must implement a separate automation to gather updates on a schedule. This automation can summarize changes from a source (such as a project tracker) and prepare a refreshed version, which the user then reviews and applies to the site.

Administrative and Access Controls

For Enterprise workspaces, administrators maintain control over the availability of the feature. Admin responsibilities include:

• Enabling or disabling ChatGPT Sites.
• Managing who has permission to create and share sites.
• Monitoring existing sites within the workspace.
• Controlling user access and determining when a site should be removed.

Summary of Use Cases

Team Need	Suggested Site Type	Key Elements to Include
Track a launch	Launch tracker	Milestones, owners, links, and risks
Weekly reviews	Dashboard	Information used in review meetings
Compare options	Calculator	Inputs, assumptions, and clear results
Project onboarding	Onboarding page	Background, resources, and next-week checklist