Custom GPT with AI Actions Chatbot Tutorial: Supercharge Your AI Assistant with Zapier

Custom GPTs have revolutionized how we interact with AI, allowing you to tailor the model's instructions, knowledge, and capabilities to a specific task. By integrating AI Actions through Zapier, you can give your Custom GPT a powerful ability to connect and perform tasks across over 6,000 different apps, like sending emails, updating spreadsheets, or managing calendar events.

Here is a step-by-step tutorial on how to build a Custom GPT and connect it to the real world using Zapier AI Actions.

Step 1: Create Your Custom GPT

First, you need a basic framework for your new AI assistant.

  1. Access the GPT Builder: Log in to your ChatGPT Plus account and navigate to Explore > My GPTs and click Create a GPT (you must have a paid plan).

  2. Define Your Purpose (The 'Create' Tab): Use the conversational interface in the GPT Builder to describe what you want your chatbot to do. The builder will help you name your GPT, create a profile picture, and establish the initial instructions. For example, you might say, "Make a GPT that acts as a lead management assistant for my small business."

  3. Refine Instructions (The 'Configure' Tab): Switch to the Configure tab to fine-tune the GPT's behavior. This is where you set the tone, rules, and specific limitations (e.g., "Always cite sources" or "Keep responses concise").

Step 2: Add Zapier AI Actions as a Custom Action

This is the key step that gives your GPT the ability to interact with external apps.

  1. Navigate to Actions: In the Configure tab, scroll down to the Actions section and click Create new action.

  2. Import the Zapier API Schema: You need to import Zapier's schema to tell your GPT how to use the AI Actions API. In the pop-up window, click Import from URL and paste the following specific URL:

    https://actions.zapier.com/gpt/api/v1/dynamic/openapi.json?tools=meta

  3. Import and Save: Click Import. This will populate the schema field with text that should be left as is. Click the back arrow to return to the Configure screen.

Step 3: Create and Configure Your Action in Zapier

Now you need to tell Zapier what real-world task you want your GPT to perform.

  1. Access Zapier Actions: Open a new tab and go to the Zapier AI Actions page (you may need to sign in):

    https://actions.zapier.com/gpt/actions/

  2. Create a New Action: Click + Add a new action.

  3. Define the Action: Select the application and the specific action you want the GPT to execute. For example, you could select "Gmail: Send Email".

  4. Configure the Action:

    • Connect your account (e.g., your Gmail account).

    • Configure the fields. For maximum flexibility, you can leave most fields set to "Have AI guess a value for this field" so the GPT can determine the necessary data (like the recipient email or subject line) from the user's conversation.

    • Give your action a Custom Action Name (e.g., Send Client Email). Enable the action once configured.

  5. Get the Action Link (Optional but Recommended): Copy the specific Configuration Link (often displayed near the action name) for this new action, as you'll use it in the next step.

Step 4: Write Specific Instructions for the Action

Your GPT needs explicit instructions to know when and how to use the new Zapier action.

  1. Return to GPT Configure: Go back to the Configure tab of your Custom GPT.

  2. Add Action Instructions: In the Instructions box, add a clear section detailing the new capability, using the action name you created:

    Zapier AI Actions:

    • Action: Send Client Email

    • When to Use: Use this action when the user explicitly asks to send an email to a client. Ask for the recipient, subject, and body of the email before executing the action.

    • Configuration Link: [Paste the Configuration Link from Step 3 here]

  3. Test and Publish:

    • Test your GPT in the Preview panel by asking it to perform the action (e.g., "Send an email to my client about the new project proposal"). The GPT should recognize the intent and ask for the required details.

    • Once satisfied, click Update in the top-right corner and choose your sharing preference (Only me, Anyone with a link, or Public).

Your Custom GPT now has superpowers! It can process natural language requests and use the Zapier AI Actions API to interact with thousands of apps, automating your workflow directly from a simple chat interface.

Francesca Tabor