Techniques for controlling an application in an instant messaging environment are described. The instant messaging environment retrieves and executes an instant messaging application. An identifier is assigned to the instant messaging application, which is retrieved and executed in the instant messaging environment between two or more instant messaging clients. The instant messaging environment identifies a selected instant messaging application and generates a control message. The control message includes the identifier which is used to retrieve and execute the instant messaging application. The instant messaging environment also determines whether a supporting application is required, based on the instant messaging application identifier, to execute the instant messaging application.