# ChatGPT App

OpenAI's ChatGPT desktop app is an easy way to use Producer Pal with an OpenAI
account.

::: warning Use Codex mode, not ChatGPT

Producer Pal only works in the app's **Codex** mode. MCP servers are configured
on the Codex side, and the tools aren't reachable from ChatGPT (Chat or Work).
Switch with the mode dropdown at the top of the sidebar:

<img src="/img/chatgpt-app-codex-mode.png" alt="Switching to Codex mode" width="300"/>

:::

::: info Formerly the Codex app

In July 2026, OpenAI merged the Codex app into the ChatGPT desktop app, which
now has ChatGPT (Chat and Work) and Codex together in one app. If you had the
Codex app installed, it updated into this app and kept your projects and
settings.

The older ChatGPT desktop app is now called "ChatGPT Classic". Setup there is
similar, but it's no longer officially supported — the new app is recommended.

:::

::: warning macOS and Windows Only

The ChatGPT desktop app runs on macOS (Apple Silicon) and Windows. On Linux, see
[Codex CLI](./codex-cli) or the [ChatGPT web app](./chatgpt-web).

:::

## Requirements

<div class="download-band download-band-compact">
  <div class="download-actions">
    <a class="download-btn download-btn-primary" href="https://github.com/adamjmurray/producer-pal/releases/latest/download/Producer_Pal.amxd">
      <span class="download-btn-label">Download Max for Live Device</span>
      <span class="download-btn-sub">Producer_Pal.amxd — add it to a MIDI track in Ableton Live</span>
    </a>
  </div>
</div>

- [Ableton Live 12.3+](https://www.ableton.com/live/) with
  [Max for Live](https://www.ableton.com/live/max-for-live/). Live 12.4 or later
  is recommended — some features don't work on older versions of Live. Use the
  version of Max bundled with Live, or make sure your standalone Max is up to
  date.

- [Node.js 22+](https://nodejs.org/en/download) (required by Codex; Producer Pal
  itself only needs 20+)
- [ChatGPT desktop app](https://chatgpt.com/download) (requires an OpenAI
  account) — use the main download button. The same page also offers **ChatGPT
  Classic**, which is the older app, not this one.
- A paid ChatGPT plan (MCP servers aren't available on the free plan)

## Installation Steps

### 1. Install the Max for Live Device

Download
[Producer_Pal.amxd](https://github.com/adamjmurray/producer-pal/releases/latest/download/Producer_Pal.amxd),
the Producer Pal Max for Live device, and add it to a MIDI track in Ableton
Live:

<img src="/img/device-main-tab.png" alt="Producer Pal device running in Ableton Live" width="375"/>

_It should display "Producer Pal Running" or something isn't working._

### 2. Add Producer Pal to ChatGPT

In the ChatGPT app, go to Settings &rarr; Plugins &rarr; MCPs and click "+ Add
server":

<img src="/img/chatgpt-app-mcp-server-settings.png" alt="ChatGPT app MCP Servers settings page" width="650"/><br>

**Option A: With npx (recommended)** — Allows flexible startup order and
auto-reconnection:

Set **Type** to **STDIO** and fill in:

- **Name:** `Producer Pal`
- **Command to launch:** `npx`
- **Arguments:** `-y` and `producer-pal` as separate entries (click "+ Add
  argument" for each one)

<img src="/img/chatgpt-app-add-mcp-stdio.png" alt="STDIO MCP configuration for Producer Pal" width="650"/><br>

**Option B: Direct HTTP** — Requires Ableton running first, no
auto-reconnection:

Set **Type** to **Streamable HTTP** and fill in:

- **Name:** `Producer Pal`
- **URL:** `http://localhost:3350/mcp`

<img src="/img/chatgpt-app-add-mcp-http.png" alt="Streamable HTTP MCP configuration for Producer Pal" width="650"/>

Save the server, then select **Restart** so ChatGPT picks it up.

::: tip Shared with Codex CLI

The desktop app, [Codex CLI](./codex-cli), and the Codex IDE extension share the
same MCP configuration (`~/.codex/config.toml`), so adding Producer Pal in one
place makes it available in the others.

:::

### 3. Start a Conversation

Check that the mode dropdown at the top of the sidebar says **Codex**.

Codex works in a project, chosen with **Choose project** above the composer. An
empty folder is recommended for Producer Pal sessions (shown as **Producer Pal**
in the screenshot). Feel free to put reference documents in it, such as common
workflow instructions or details of your preferred musical style and production
techniques.

Start a conversation with "connect to ableton":

<img src="/img/chatgpt-app-conversation-start.png" alt="Starting a conversation in the ChatGPT app" width="600"/>

### 4. Verify Connection

You should see a successful connection to Ableton Live:

<img src="/img/chatgpt-app-connected.png" alt="ChatGPT app successfully connected to Producer Pal" width="600"/>

You can also type `/mcp` in the composer to see the connected MCP servers.

## Troubleshooting

If it doesn't work, see the [Troubleshooting Guide](/support/troubleshooting).