OpenAI Commerce

What is OpenAI Commerce?

OpenAI’s commerce capabilities enable GPT-powered agents to participate in financial transactions and commerce through multiple mechanisms: Actions (formerly plugins), function calling for payment integrations, and Operator for autonomous web-based purchasing. Together, these form an emerging payment layer for the world’s most widely-deployed AI agents.

How It Works

OpenAI provides several pathways for commerce integration:

Actions (OpenAPI Spec)

• Define commerce APIs as OpenAPI specifications
• GPT agents discover and invoke payment endpoints
• Server-side validation and authorization

Function Calling

• Define payment functions in the GPT schema
• Model determines when to invoke payment tools
• Structured output ensures reliable transaction data

Operator

• Autonomous browser-based agent
• Can navigate checkout flows on any website
• Handles form filling, payment entry, and order confirmation

Key Technical Details

• Actions Format: OpenAPI 3.0 specification with authentication
• Function Calling: JSON Schema-based tool definitions
• Operator: Browser automation with computer use capabilities
• Authentication: OAuth 2.0, API keys, or user-delegated tokens
• Safety: Built-in confirmation steps and spending limits

Use Cases

• GPT-Powered Shopping Assistants — conversational agents that find and buy products
• Automated SaaS Provisioning — agents that sign up for and configure services
• Invoice Processing — GPT agents that review, approve, and pay invoices
• Expense Management — AI-driven expense categorization and payment
• Customer Service + Commerce — support agents that process refunds and orders

Why It Matters

OpenAI’s ecosystem has the largest deployed base of AI agents in the world. As these agents gain payment capabilities, they represent the single largest channel for AI-driven commerce. Building for OpenAI’s commerce stack means reaching the broadest possible audience of AI-augmented users and businesses.

Our OpenAI Commerce Services

• Actions Development — build payment-enabled Actions for your GPT integrations
• Function Schema Design — architect reliable payment function calling interfaces
• Operator Workflows — design autonomous purchasing workflows for Operator
• Safety & Compliance — implement spending controls, audit trails, and fraud prevention
• Multi-Model Strategy — ensure your payment infrastructure works across OpenAI, Anthropic, and other providers