ChatGPT Integration¶
⚠️ Important Notice¶
ChatGPT Desktop and ChatGPT Web do not currently support Model Context Protocol (MCP).
While OpenAI does support MCP through their Python API and SDK, the ChatGPT Desktop and Web applications don't have this capability built-in.
🤔 Understanding OpenAI's MCP Support¶
OpenAI has different products with different MCP capabilities:
| Product | MCP Support | napari-mcp Compatible | How to Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT Web | ❌ No | ❌ No | N/A |
| ChatGPT Desktop | ❌ No | ❌ No | N/A |
| ChatGPT Plus/Team/Enterprise | ❌ No | ❌ No | N/A |
| OpenAI Python API | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Custom Python script |
| OpenAI SDK | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Custom Python script |
✅ Recommended Alternatives¶
If you want to use OpenAI models or ChatGPT-like experiences with napari MCP, here are your options:
1. Codex CLI (OpenAI)¶
OpenAI's Codex CLI does support MCP and works with napari-mcp:
→ See Other LLMs Guide for setup instructions
2. Cursor IDE (Uses OpenAI Models)¶
Cursor IDE supports MCP and uses OpenAI models under the hood:
→ See Cursor Integration Guide for complete setup
3. Claude Desktop (Anthropic)¶
While not OpenAI, Claude Desktop has excellent MCP support and is the most popular choice:
→ See Claude Desktop Integration Guide for setup
4. OpenAI Python API with MCP (Advanced)¶
For advanced users, you can use OpenAI models with napari-mcp through the Python API:
# Example: Using OpenAI API with napari MCP server
# See the full guide for details
from openai import OpenAI
client = OpenAI()
# Connect to napari MCP server and use OpenAI models
→ See Python Integration Guide for complete examples
This approach gives you: - ✅ Full MCP support with OpenAI models (GPT-4, etc.) - ✅ Complete control over the integration - ⚠️ Requires Python programming - ⚠️ Not as convenient as desktop apps
🔮 Future Possibilities¶
ChatGPT May Add MCP Support¶
OpenAI may add MCP support to ChatGPT in the future. When that happens, this page will be updated with setup instructions.
How to stay updated: - Watch the napari-mcp GitHub repository - Follow MCP specification updates - Check OpenAI's product announcements
OpenAI GPT Store¶
The OpenAI GPT Store allows custom GPTs but doesn't currently support MCP servers. If this changes, we'll update the documentation.
💡 Why Use MCP-Compatible Tools?¶
MCP (Model Context Protocol) provides: - Direct tool access - AI can directly control napari - Real-time interaction - Immediate visual feedback - State management - Maintains viewer state across requests - Rich capabilities - Full access to napari's features
Without MCP support, you're limited to: - Manual copy-paste of code - No direct napari control - No automatic screenshot capture - No interactive workflows
📊 Comparison of Alternatives¶
| Platform | MCP Support | OpenAI Models | Setup Complexity | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Codex CLI | ✅ Full | ✅ Yes | 🟢 Easy | Command-line users |
| Cursor | ✅ Full | ✅ Yes (optional) | 🟢 Easy | IDE users |
| Claude Desktop | ✅ Full | ❌ No (uses Claude) | 🟢 Easy | General use |
| ChatGPT Desktop | ❌ None | ✅ Yes | 🔴 N/A | Not compatible |
🚀 Get Started with Alternatives¶
Choose one of the supported options:
Quick Start with Codex CLI¶
# 1. Install napari-mcp
pip install napari-mcp
# 2. Configure Codex CLI
napari-mcp-install codex
# 3. Use with Codex
# (Codex will now have access to napari MCP tools)
Quick Start with Cursor¶
# 1. Install napari-mcp
pip install napari-mcp
# 2. Configure Cursor
napari-mcp-install cursor --global
# 3. Open Cursor IDE
# (Cursor AI will now have napari MCP access)
Quick Start with Claude Desktop¶
# 1. Install napari-mcp
pip install napari-mcp
# 2. Configure Claude Desktop
napari-mcp-install claude-desktop
# 3. Restart Claude Desktop
# (Claude will now have napari MCP access)
❓ Frequently Asked Questions¶
Can I use OpenAI API with napari-mcp?¶
Yes! OpenAI supports MCP through their Python API. You can write a Python script that uses OpenAI models (GPT-4, etc.) with napari-mcp as an MCP server.
→ See Python Integration Guide for examples
What about ChatGPT Plus or Team?¶
ChatGPT Plus, Team, and Enterprise plans don't change MCP support - they still don't support it.
Will OpenAI add MCP support?¶
We don't know. OpenAI hasn't announced plans for MCP support in ChatGPT. Use one of the alternatives above instead.
Can I use GPT-4 with napari?¶
Yes! Use Cursor or Codex CLI, both of which support OpenAI models including GPT-4 and have MCP support.
📚 Next Steps¶
Since ChatGPT Desktop doesn't support MCP, we recommend:
- Try Codex CLI - If you want OpenAI models with MCP support
-
Try Cursor - If you want an IDE with OpenAI model options
-
Try Claude Desktop - If you want the best MCP experience (even if it's not OpenAI)
-
See all options - Compare all supported platforms
- Integration Overview
📢 Summary¶
- ❌ ChatGPT Desktop does not support MCP and cannot use napari-mcp
- ✅ Use Codex CLI instead for OpenAI models with MCP support
- ✅ Use Cursor for IDE integration with OpenAI model options
- ✅ Use Claude Desktop for the most mature MCP implementation
- 📖 See Integrations Overview for all supported platforms