OpenAI to Merge ChatGPT Chat and Work Tabs in December

OpenAI merges ChatGPT chat and work tabs in December

OpenAI will combine ChatGPT’s chat and work tabs starting in December, bringing agentic capabilities directly into the main interface, according to an online post and user emails reported by ZDNET. The platform update, which follows a September move by rival Anthropic to merge its chat and Cowork functions into a single screen, aims to make the desktop application easier to use.

The Tech TL;DR:

• Plus, Pro, and Business tier usage allowances will be shared between ChatGPT and Codex as the work features merge into the primary chat experience.
• Select users will gain access to the integrated interface for testing and feedback prior to a broader rollout.
• Instant chat interactions will not consume user token allowances during tasks.

OpenAI rolls out unified usage allowance across plans

The updated layout will first appear for select users in a testing phase before expanding to a wider audience, TechCrunch reported. OpenAI noted in an email to current subscribers that the transition is designed to prevent disruptions to existing user workflows. Most customers will not experience changes in how frequently their usage limits reset, though token consumption will depend on the models and tasks selected.

Under the updated system, Plus, Pro, and Business plans will share a unified usage allowance across both ChatGPT and Codex. Tokens will serve as the core metric for tracking information processed and generated by the models. More complex tasks and advanced models will draw down allowances more rapidly, while instant chat requests remain exempt from token limits.

December consolidation merges planning and execution in one window

The current desktop application houses a Codex and ChatGPT section, with the chat interface further subdivided into chat and work tabs. OpenAI stated that the separation proved difficult to use. The upcoming December consolidation allows users to move from initial planning to execution within a single window, enabling the AI to handle tasks such as website building, presentation generation, and web actions using uploaded files and plugins.

Despite the integration of work features into the main chat screen, Codex will remain maintained as a distinct experience within the desktop application. OpenAI confirmed that both environments will draw from the same shared token allowance pool following the December deployment.

OpenAI follows Anthropic in merging chat and work features

Anthropic combined Claude’s chat and Cowork features into a single screen in September, reducing the friction of switching between distinct functional modes. OpenAI stated that it does not anticipate the interface merger to disrupt current user interactions as teams prepare for the December production push.