What Exactly Are ChatGPT Sites?
ChatGPT Sites is a new feature integrated directly into OpenAI's platform that allows users to create, host, and share interactive websites and lightweight applications. Launched in public beta on July 9, 2026, it functions as part of the ChatGPT Work
and Codex environments. Instead of requiring users to write code or use a traditional drag-and-drop builder, Sites operates conversationally. You simply describe the website you want, and ChatGPT generates a private preview for you to review and refine. This tool is positioned not just for static landing pages, but also for creating functional internal tools like dashboards, project trackers, and interactive reports.
How to Build a Website: From Prompt to Publish
The creation process is designed to be intuitive. It starts within ChatGPT Work (on the web) or the Codex/Work sections of the desktop app. A user begins by prompting ChatGPT to build a website, which can be triggered by simply asking or by using "@Sites" in the prompt. You can provide a detailed description of your desired site, including its purpose, audience, and even attach files or data to be included. ChatGPT then generates the site. From there, you can conversationally request changes to the layout, text, colors, or functionality. Once you are satisfied with the preview, you can publish it. The system provides a URL and allows you to control access, making the site private, available to your workspace, or open to the public.
Who Can Use It and What Does It Cost?
During the public beta, ChatGPT Sites is available to users on paid plans, including Pro, Pro Lite, Enterprise, and Edu tiers. OpenAI has stated that access for Plus and Business users will follow shortly after the initial rollout. The feature is not available on the Free or Go plans. Geographically, the launch does not currently include the European Economic Area, Switzerland, or the United Kingdom. In terms of cost, usage is included within the paid subscription, subject to certain beta limits on storage and traffic. The agent work involved in building and editing the site is metered against your plan's usage allowance, similar to how Codex usage is structured.
The Real-World Service Angle
The most compelling aspect of ChatGPT Sites is its utility for non-technical users. A freelancer can now generate a portfolio page in minutes. A small business can create a landing page for a new product without hiring a developer. Teams can spin up internal dashboards to track project progress from a simple instruction. The ability to connect to a custom domain (for some accounts) further bridges the gap between an AI-generated project and a professional online presence. This feature essentially democratizes basic web development, turning a complex technical task into a simple conversational one. It’s a powerful service for anyone who has an idea but lacks the coding skills or budget to build it from scratch.
Important Features and Current Limitations
Beyond basic pages, Sites can support more complex features. This includes attaching a database for storing user data or game scores and using object storage for files like images and documents. However, as a beta product, it has notable limitations. There are usage limits on storage and traffic, and ChatGPT will notify you as you approach them. Some advanced frameworks and hosting patterns are not supported. Critically, every URL you deploy is a live, production URL; there is no separate staging environment for testing. OpenAI recommends saving and reviewing versions internally before publishing to a wider audience to avoid sharing unfinished or confidential work.
