ChatGPT is preparing to give users one fewer tab to think about.
OpenAI plans to merge ChatGPT's Chat and Work tabs into a single experience, bringing everyday conversations and more complex tasks into the same place. The company outlined the change in an email to users, according to TechCrunch , with a limited test planned before a wider rollout.
Currently, OpenAI describes Chat as the place for everyday questions and conversational help, while Work handles longer tasks, including research, analyzing information, and creating documents, presentations, and websites. The desktop app also includes a separate Codex experience for coding, which will remain separate after the merger.
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"This will enable you to move from exploring an idea to having ChatGPT carry it through, all in one place," OpenAI reportedly said in the email. Users will be able to bring in files and plugins while reviewing and guiding its work.
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The interface change also comes with an update that paid subscribers may want to keep an eye on.
Starting in December, Plus, Pro, and Business plans will have a shared usage allowance across ChatGPT and Codex, according to OpenAI's updated support page . Usage will be measured in tokens, the units of information AI models process and generate. More demanding tasks and advanced models will generally consume more of that allowance.
There is an exception, though. OpenAI says Instant chat won't draw from the shared allowance . The company expects most users won’t have to wait for their limits to reset more often than they currently do. Subscribers will be able to check their combined remaining usage and reset times in Settings under Usage. Once they reach a limit, the listed options include waiting for a reset, upgrading, or buying credits for eligible features.
The rollout will test whether bringing those tools into the main chat increases their use. If asking a quick question turns into handing off an entire project, subscribers may find themselves paying closer attention to what their plan covers.
Disclosure: Mashable's parent company, Ziff Davis, sued OpenAI in April 2025, alleging copyright infringement related to the training and operation of its AI systems.
Topics ChatGPT
Thanks, and I hate it.
ReplyDeleteI am running the latest version of ChatGPT and it is still considerably more bloated than ChatGPT Classic. It is still an Electron app with all the quirks, such as the app taking an eternity to launch (even on the fastest Macs) and the Settings page replacing the active window.
I also hate this. I just want ChatGPT as a chatbot, not as an agent trying to invade my computer and privacy. And Electron apps are an insult to macOS.
ReplyDeleteSeparate apps is about easier workflow instead of popping in between tabs which feels slower
ReplyDeleteSo, copying Claude…
ReplyDeleteImitation is the highest form of flattery
DeleteThe lack imagination there is depressing. They just saw Anthropic can make the experience worse and thought yay $$$. Enshitification.
DeleteHonestly, combining Chat and Work makes a lot of sense. Having everything in one place would make things much easier.
ReplyDeleteI hope they don't make the interface too complicated. Sometimes simpler is better.
ReplyDeleteThe shared usage limit is the part I'm most concerned about. Plus subscribers should have enough room to use both tools.
ReplyDeleteInteresting move by OpenAI. I wonder if this will make Codex more popular among regular ChatGPT users
ReplyDeleteFinally! Switching between different tabs for different tasks can be annoying
ReplyDeleteI'm curious how this will affect people who use ChatGPT for work every single day
ReplyDeleteThe December usage change doesn't sound great, especially for people who rely heavily on Codex
ReplyDeleteI actually like keeping Codex separate. Not every feature needs to be merged into one interface.
ReplyDeleteThis could make ChatGPT feel more like an all-in-one productivity tool
ReplyDeleteI just hope existing features don't get harder to find after the update
ReplyDeleteThe Instant chat exception is good news. At least quick questions won't eat into the shared allowance.
ReplyDeleteOpenAI keeps changing things so quickly. It'll be interesting to see how users react once this rolls out.
ReplyDeleteI think the biggest question is whether the shared limits will be generous enough for Plus subscribers.
ReplyDeleteOne unified workspace sounds convenient, but I hope performance doesn't suffer.
ReplyDeleteNot sure how I feel about this yet. I'll wait until the new interface is available before judging it.
ReplyDeleteThis is probably a good move for people who use ChatGPT for both personal and professional tasks
ReplyDeleteThe usage allowance update is something OpenAI needs to explain more clearly. Nobody likes unexpected limits
ReplyDeleteMakes sense from a product perspective. ChatGPT is becoming much more than just a chatbot.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Business users will get a significantly higher shared allowance.
ReplyDeleteAnother big change! I hope they listen to user feedback during the testing phase.
ReplyDeleteI actually think this is a pretty good idea. Switching between tabs gets annoying sometimes.
ReplyDeleteWait, so ChatGPT and Codex will share the same usage limit? That's the part I'm not too happy about.
ReplyDeleteNot gonna lie, having everything in one place sounds much better
ReplyDeleteI just hope they don't mess up the interface. The current one is pretty easy to use
ReplyDeleteInteresting. I didn't even realize they were planning to change this
ReplyDeleteThe shared limits are a bit concerning, especially if you use Codex regularly.
ReplyDeleteLet's see how it works in practice. Sounds good on paper, but you never know.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I'd rather they focus on improving the existing features first.
ReplyDeleteThis might actually save a lot of time. I switch between Chat and Work quite often.
ReplyDeleteI'm more interested in how the usage limits will work than the interface change
ReplyDeleteHopefully Plus users won't feel like they're getting less for their money
ReplyDeleteI wonder if they'll let users switch back to the old layout if they don't like the new one.
ReplyDeleteMakes sense. ChatGPT is slowly turning into a proper workspace.
ReplyDeleteDecember isn't that far away. Curious to see how people react to this.
ReplyDeleteI use ChatGPT mostly for simple questions, so I probably won't notice much difference.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThe Instant chat exception is actually a nice touch.
ReplyDeleteI can see why they're doing this, but sharing usage with Codex might frustrate a lot of developers.
ReplyDeleteAnother interface change lol. Hopefully this one is actually useful.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea, just not sure about the shared allowance.
ReplyDeleteWill be interesting to see if this makes ChatGPT easier to use or just adds more clutter.
ReplyDeleteThis actually makes sense tbh.
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Hmm, not sure how I feel about this.
ReplyDeleteFinally! About time lol.
ReplyDeleteHope they don't mess it up.
ReplyDeleteThe shared limits are concerning tho.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good move imo.
ReplyDeleteLet's see how this goes.
ReplyDeleteI'm actually looking forward to this.
ReplyDeleteOne less tab, can't complain haha.
ReplyDeleteNot a fan of the usage limit change.
ReplyDeleteInteresting move by OpenAI.
ReplyDeleteHope Plus users get enough usage.
ReplyDeleteThis could be really useful tbh.
ReplyDeleteWait, starting in December?
ReplyDeleteMakes sense, but still...
ReplyDeleteI kinda like this idea.
ReplyDeleteAnother big change lol.
ReplyDeleteCurious to see how it works.
ReplyDeleteCodex sharing limits? That's a bit much.
ReplyDeleteHopefully the new layout is cleaner.
ReplyDeleteWell, let's see what happens.
ReplyDeleteAbout time they simplified things.
ReplyDeleteThis might actually be a game changer.
ReplyDeleteNot sure this was necessary tbh.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to trying it out!
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