OpenAI prepares to combine ChatGPT’s Chat and Work tabs

OpenAI says the combined experience will let users move from exploring an idea to having ChatGPT carry it through in one place.[1] Users will be able to bring files and plugins into that experience, ask ChatGPT to build a website or create a presentation, and request web tasks while reviewing and guiding the work.[1] OpenAI communicated the planned change to users by email.[1] It says selected users will get access first to provide feedback, followed by a wider rollout.[1]

OpenAI’s help page describes the ChatGPT desktop app as having Chat and Work under ChatGPT, alongside Codex, on macOS and Windows.[3] Chat and Work conversations appear together in the app’s Recents list.[3] Codex will remain a separate experience in the desktop app.[1] TechCrunch described the previous layout as having ChatGPT and Codex sections, with Chat and Work tabs inside ChatGPT; it said the multiple sections and tabs could make it easy to lose track of where a user is working or where a project is.[1]

OpenAI says ChatGPT and Codex will draw tokens from the same usage allowance pool, and that this change will not affect most users.[1] Some users may need to wait for usage resets more frequently, depending on their usage and model.[1] Shared allowances for Plus, Pro and Business plans begin in December, according to OpenAI’s help page.[2] Instant chat will not draw from users’ usage, and allowance consumption depends on the selected model and requested task; more advanced models and complex tasks generally use more.[2]

Users will be able to check combined remaining usage and reset times in Settings → Usage.[2] If they reach a limit, OpenAI says they can wait for a reset, upgrade their plan or buy credits for eligible features.[2] The help page says the desktop navigation update does not change existing workspace access permissions, security settings, governance controls or the spend model.[3] The change follows a similar interface consolidation at Anthropic: TechCrunch reported that Claude’s chat and Cowork functions were merged into one screen in September.[1]