OpenAI to Merge ChatGPT Chat and Work Tabs in Desktop App

OpenAI is planning to merge the Chat and Work tabs in the desktop version of ChatGPT, aiming to make the AI chatbot easier to navigate and provide users with a more unified workspace. The change will allow users to move from discussing ideas to completing tasks without switching between separate sections.

According to a report by TechCrunch, OpenAI disclosed the upcoming change in emails sent to users. The company plans to initially make the updated experience available to a select group for feedback before expanding its availability more widely.

ChatGPT Chat and Work Features to Come Together

The planned update will bring ChatGPT’s Chat and Work functions into a single interface. Currently, the desktop application separates different experiences and provides multiple tabs and options, which can make it difficult for users to locate specific projects and keep track of ongoing tasks.

By combining the two sections, OpenAI aims to simplify navigation and allow users to handle different stages of a task in one place. Users will be able to start by exploring an idea through a conversation and then ask ChatGPT to carry out the work within the same environment.

OpenAI described the purpose of the update in an email to users:

“This will enable you to move from exploring an idea to having ChatGPT carry it through, all in one place. You can bring in your files and plugins and ask ChatGPT to build a website, create a presentation, or do things for you on the web, while reviewing and guiding its work. Codex will remain a separate experience in the ChatGPT desktop app,” OpenAI said in the email.

One Token Allowance Pool for Chat and Work

Another important change will involve how users consume tokens. OpenAI said the merged Chat and Work sections will draw from the same allowance pool rather than operating as separate experiences with different usage allocations.

This could make usage easier to manage, as users will be able to access both conversational assistance and task-oriented capabilities through a shared allowance.

However, the change may also affect how quickly some users reach their usage limits. OpenAI said that existing work will not be affected, but some users may need to wait for their allowances to reset more frequently, depending on their usage patterns and the models they choose.

Will the Update Affect Existing ChatGPT Projects?

OpenAI has said that the integration will not disrupt users’ ongoing work. The primary objective is to bring the two experiences together and reduce the need to switch between different sections of the desktop application.

The initial rollout will be limited to selected users, allowing OpenAI to collect feedback before making the updated interface available more broadly. The company has not specified a complete public rollout timeline in the information provided.

Codex will continue to operate as a separate experience within the ChatGPT desktop application. This means the planned merger will bring Chat and Work together without combining every feature of the desktop app into one interface.

OpenAI Follows a Similar Move by Anthropic

The planned change follows a similar decision by OpenAI rival Anthropic in September, when it merged Claude’s Chat and Cowork functions into a single screen.

Both companies are moving towards more unified AI interfaces that allow users to combine conversational assistance with task execution. Instead of using separate sections for asking questions and completing projects, users can increasingly manage both activities within a shared environment.

What the Change Means for ChatGPT Users

The merger is intended to make the ChatGPT desktop experience more straightforward by reducing navigation between Chat and Work. Users will be able to bring in files and plugins, discuss what they want to accomplish, and ask the AI assistant to complete tasks such as building websites, preparing presentations and performing actions on the web.

The shared token allowance will also change how usage is managed across the two sections. While the unified interface may make workflows more convenient, users with heavy workloads could encounter allowance resets more frequently, depending on their activity and model selection.

For now, the update remains in its initial feedback phase for selected users. Codex will remain separate, while OpenAI gathers feedback before a wider rollout of the combined Chat and Work experience.