OpenAI has started describing ChatGPT as three separate experiences: Chat for regular conversation, Work for longer research and deliverables, and Codex for software development. The change matters because the product no longer behaves like one continuous chat surface across every device, according to OpenAI’s Help Center.
OpenAI says ChatGPT Work is gradually rolling out to eligible accounts over the coming days. Users who do not see it yet may not have access, and availability will expand as the rollout continues, the company says.
The division is fairly blunt. Chat is the familiar part: questions, search, brainstorming and quick help. Work is for tasks such as researching a topic, analyzing information, and producing a document, spreadsheet, presentation, report or site. Codex remains the software agent, meant for writing or debugging code, running tests and commands, reviewing changes, or working with a repository.
The catch is where each mode lives. OpenAI says Work is available on ChatGPT web and mobile for eligible paid plans, and in the desktop app when a user’s plan and workspace include it. Work on web and mobile runs in the cloud. Work in the desktop app can also use local files and desktop apps, but only with the user’s permission.
That split creates some early fragmentation. OpenAI says cloud Work conversations do not appear in desktop Work at launch. Desktop Work threads and local files stay on that computer. Chat conversations, by contrast, sync across ChatGPT web and the desktop app.
Codex is even more constrained. OpenAI says Codex is available as a mode in the ChatGPT desktop app, where it can work with local folders, repositories, terminals and developer tools. It is not selectable on web or mobile. Users can access supported desktop Codex tasks from the Remote tab in the ChatGPT mobile app, but those tasks do not become web or mobile chat history, according to the company.
How OpenAI says users should start
On desktop, OpenAI tells users to open the ChatGPT desktop app, sign in, start a standalone chat or open a project or local folder, then select Work or Codex from the mode switcher. Users are told to describe the desired outcome, add files, constraints and review criteria, then review the result and ask for changes in the same conversation.
On web or mobile, OpenAI says users can select Work, start a new conversation or open an existing project, then add files and context before describing the deliverable.
Projects are the glue OpenAI is offering for related conversations, files and instructions. The company says Work can run once, repeat on a schedule or trigger, or monitor for changes through Scheduled Tasks. Users can review progress, answer questions, change direction and approve important actions.
OpenAI also says Work follows the same usage structure as Codex. Its Codex pricing page explains included usage and additional credits, though OpenAI notes that the examples are based on coding tasks, so Work usage will vary by task.
Regular ChatGPT has not been removed, according to OpenAI. On desktop, users start it with a new “Quick chat” button in the left navigation bar. On mobile, users select “Chat” from the dropdown at the top of the screen.
This story draws on original reporting from OpenAI Help Center.
