Real-world things ChatGPT can do
6 public accounts of people having ChatGPT do real-world jobs: 1 calls & messaging, 1 make things, 1 labs & biology, 1 earth. Each one links to the original post and says how to do it today.
The agent is named as the source wrote it. Some entries name more than one agent.
Calls & messaging (1)
- Let Claude or ChatGPT place calls from your own number
A maker launched a remote MCP server that lets Claude, Cursor or ChatGPT make outbound calls from the user's phone number, with examples like asking a restaurant about a 7 pm table.
Make things (1)
- Get a costume prop built after ChatGPT points you to a hackerspace
ChatGPT told someone building an Escape from L.A. wrist timer to visit the Denver hackerspace. A member ended up sourcing parts, ordering a custom PCB and printing the case for him.
Labs & biology (1)
- Program an Opentrons robot for a home drug-screening project
An independent researcher said all in-vitro screening for his basement Alzheimer's drug project ran on an Opentrons OT-2 liquid handler programmed by Claude Code, with ChatGPT Pro used across the discovery work.
Earth (1)
- Search, price and order satellite imagery from Claude or ChatGPT
SkyFi launched an MCP server so assistants like Claude and ChatGPT can search its archive, compare sources, task new captures and place orders in chat, paid at standard SkyFi prices.
Mail & print (1)
- Buy from Etsy sellers inside ChatGPT
OpenAI's Instant Checkout let US ChatGPT users buy from Etsy sellers without leaving the chat, with Shopify merchants announced as next.
Robots & drones (1)
- Fly an internet-connected drone from Claude, ChatGPT or Gemini
Researchers built an MCP server that exposes MAVLink so any MCP-capable model can command a drone, and showed it controlling a real internet-connected drone as well as simulated missions.
Add Real World MCP to ChatGPT
- In ChatGPT on the web, go to Plugins , click the + button, then Add custom MCP server.
- Enter the name Real World MCP and an optional description.
- Under Connection, paste the server URL below.
- Under authentication, choose No authentication.
- Read the risk warning and select I understand and want to continue.
- Select Create as a plugin, then install the plugin before you use it in a chat.
https://www.realworldmcp.com/api/mcp
Custom MCP servers are set up on ChatGPT on the web, and workspace policies apply. OpenAI's help center lists full support on Business, Enterprise and Edu, and read-only use on Pro; check your own Plugins page for your plan. ChatGPT asks you to confirm a tool call unless the tool is marked read-only. Real World MCP has no published ChatGPT app.
Sources: OpenAI: Add custom MCP server · OpenAI help center . Other clients: all setup steps.
Related directory categories
Task pages
- Give your AI agent a phone number
- Order PCBs from Claude
- Order a protein test with an AI agent
- Buy satellite imagery with an AI agent
- Send a letter or postcard from your AI agent
- Run a robot with ROS from Claude
Questions people ask
What real-world things has ChatGPT done?
6 public accounts of people having ChatGPT do real-world jobs: 1 calls & messaging, 1 make things, 1 labs & biology, 1 earth. Each one links to the original post and says how to do it today.
Can I add Real World MCP to ChatGPT?
Yes, as a custom MCP server on ChatGPT on the web. Open Plugins, click +, choose Add custom MCP server, paste https://www.realworldmcp.com/api/mcp under Connection, choose No authentication, accept the warning and select Create as a plugin. Plan and workspace limits apply.
Does every story use Real World MCP?
No. These stories used many different tools. Each page lists the tools named in the source and the ways to do the same job today.