ChatGPT Plugin

Connect ChatGPT to COLA Cloud through the published ChatGPT Plugin Directory listing.

Current Support

COLA Cloud is published as an app-only ChatGPT plugin:

Open COLA Cloud in ChatGPT

Connect the COLA Cloud plugin from the ChatGPT Plugin Directory.

ChatGPT connects through COLA Cloud OAuth. You do not paste a COLA Cloud API key into ChatGPT.

The public ChatGPT app is a read-only connector for searching COLA records, retrieving COLA details, searching permittees, retrieving permittee details, checking TTB processing times, and viewing plan/usage context.

OpenAI automatically converted existing published apps into plugins in July 2026. Existing authentication remains valid. The link above is the current COLA Cloud Plugin Directory listing; its /apps/ URL remains the published direct link.

Prerequisites

• A ChatGPT account with access to apps
• A COLA Cloud account at app.colacloud.us
• Permission from your ChatGPT workspace owner/admin if your workspace restricts apps

Business, Enterprise, and Edu workspaces may apply workspace-level app controls. If the app is disabled by your admin, ask your workspace owner/admin to enable COLA Cloud from ChatGPT workspace settings.

Connect in ChatGPT

1. Open the app listing

   Open the COLA Cloud ChatGPT plugin.

   You can also open ChatGPT, go to Settings > Apps, and search for COLA Cloud.

2. Connect COLA Cloud

   Select Connect from the app listing.

3. Sign in to COLA Cloud

   Complete the COLA Cloud OAuth sign-in and approve the requested read-only access.

4. Use the app in a chat

   Start a chat and select COLA Cloud from ChatGPT’s app picker, or mention @COLA Cloud in your prompt when apps are available in the composer.

Available Actions

The public ChatGPT app exposes these read-only actions:

Action	What it does
search_colas	Search COLA approvals by text, brand, applicant, permit number, category, origin, approval date, and related filters.
get_cola	Retrieve details for a specific COLA record.
search_permittees	Search TTB permittees by company name, state, permit number, and active status.
get_permittee	Retrieve details and recent COLA activity for a specific permittee.
get_processing_times	Check current TTB label approval processing-time metadata.
get_plan	Check your COLA Cloud plan and usage status.

The ChatGPT app does not create saved searches, manage billing, or modify TTB records. Use the COLA Cloud web app for saved-search alerts and account management.

What to Select in Chats

Be explicit when you want ChatGPT to use COLA Cloud instead of built-in web search or another app.

Useful prompts:

• “Use COLA Cloud, not web search, to find bourbon approvals from Kentucky in 2025.”
• “Search COLA Cloud for recent California wine approvals and fetch two record details.”
• “Use COLA Cloud to find active New York permittees matching import.”
• “Check my COLA Cloud plan and usage before running a broad search.”

Direct MCP Clients

Claude Code, Cursor, and other MCP clients that support custom HTTP headers can connect directly to the same hosted MCP endpoint with a COLA Cloud API key:

https://mcp.colacloud.us/mcp

See MCP / AI Assistants for direct-client setup.

Troubleshooting

Symptom	What to check
The direct link does not open the app	Sign in to ChatGPT, then search for COLA Cloud under Settings > Apps.
The Connect button is disabled	Your plan, region, or workspace app policy may block the app. Ask your workspace admin if you use Business, Enterprise, or Edu.
OAuth succeeds but tool calls fail with oauth_connection_required	The OAuth connection is not linked to an active COLA Cloud account. Contact [e-mail].
ChatGPT does not call COLA Cloud	Select the app in the chat composer or explicitly mention @COLA Cloud in your prompt.
ChatGPT asks for developer-mode MCP or OAuth client settings	Use the published COLA Cloud app listing instead. Developer-mode setup is for building or testing your own ChatGPT app, not for connecting the published COLA Cloud app.
A direct MCP client asks for OAuth	Confirm you are not using ChatGPT setup instructions. Direct clients should send Authorization: Bearer ${COLA_API_KEY} as shown in MCP / AI Assistants.
A request needs a saved search or billing change	Use the COLA Cloud web app. The public ChatGPT app is read-only.