---
title: "Connect Clam to ChatGPT"
description: "Add Clam to ChatGPT from its Plugins page, so ChatGPT reads and writes your Gmail only within your Shell's rules."
route: /docs/agents/chatgpt
---

# Connect Clam to ChatGPT

Clam is listed as a public ChatGPT plugin. Find it under Plugins, click +, click Allow, and ChatGPT can use your Gmail within your Shell's rules.

## Before you start

**You need a Clam account with a Shell.** Haven't made one yet? [The Quickstart](https://useclam.ai/docs/get-started/quickstart) takes about 10 minutes. Everything below starts on your Shell's **Install** tab in the [console](https://console.useclam.ai), under ChatGPT.

## Connect ChatGPT

Two ways in. Start with the first; the other is for when it doesn't fit.

### ChatGPT plugin (Recommended)

The quickest way. Clam is listed as a public ChatGPT plugin.

1. Find Clam in Plugins

   Open ChatGPT and go to **Plugins** in the left sidebar. Search for Clam, then click **+** next to it.

   - [Open ChatGPT](https://chatgpt.com/)

2. Sign in to Clam and Allow

   Clam opens in a new window, titled "Let ChatGPT use a Shell". Sign in if you need to, pick a Shell if you have more than one, and click **Allow**.

Back on the Install tab, click **Check connection** after ChatGPT's first request.

### Custom MCP server

For a second Shell (the plugin covers one at a time), or when Clam isn't in Plugins.

1. Open Plugins

   It's in ChatGPT's left sidebar.

   - [Open ChatGPT](https://chatgpt.com/)

2. Add a custom MCP server

   Click **Add** at the top right, then choose **Add custom MCP server**.

3. Paste the name and the link

   Fill in both fields with the values on your Shell's **Install** tab, under ChatGPT. If ChatGPT asks how to sign in, choose **OAuth**. Each Shell has its own name and link.

4. Sign in to Clam and Allow

   Click **Save**, and Clam opens in a new window asking to connect your Shell to ChatGPT. Click **Allow**.

## Try it

With the starter policy from the Quickstart, ask ChatGPT:

Ask "Summarize the work email I got this week." ChatGPT answers from your work email. Ask "Find my latest bank statement." Clam blocks it, and ChatGPT tells you so. That refusal is Clam working as intended.

**On a managed workspace?** An administrator may need to enable Clam, or approve third-party plugins, before members can connect it.

## Remove access

In ChatGPT, open Plugins, select Clam, and disconnect it.

In Clam, click **Remove access** next to ChatGPT on the Shell's Install tab. ChatGPT stops at its next request and has to sign in again to come back. Clam's removal is the one that counts: [Remove access](https://useclam.ai/docs/trust/remove-access).

## If it doesn't work

Something else? See [Common issues & solutions](https://useclam.ai/docs/troubleshooting).

### Clam isn't in ChatGPT's Plugins

Add it by address instead, with **Custom MCP server** above. On a managed workspace, ask your administrator whether third-party plugins are allowed.

### Clam's sign-in won't let me in

We're in early access, so only invited accounts can sign in. Use the Google account your invite went to, or [request an invite](https://console.useclam.ai/get-early-access).

### ChatGPT says the Shell is paused

A paused Shell blocks every request. Open it in the Clam console and click **Resume**.

### The Install tab says ChatGPT is set to another Shell

A plugin covers one Shell at a time. Remove its access there and connect again here, or add this Shell as a custom MCP server.