A timeline of Mac activity to power ChatGPT and Codex

Computer History turns recent Mac activity into memory that ChatGPT and Codex can use to find, resume, or automate work.

Computer History turns recent activity across apps and the web into a timeline that ChatGPT and Codex can use. The feature can, for example, help find a document viewed earlier, resume a task after a break, reconstruct what was done during the day, or identify a recurring workflow that could become a skill or automation.

The system replaces the earlier Chronicle research preview, but its underlying approach has been completely rebuilt. It no longer relies on screenshots. Computer History records interaction events exposed in part through macOS accessibility mechanisms, including clicks, typing, keyboard shortcuts, app switches, and certain contextual information. It does not capture screenshots, screen recordings, microphone input, or system audio.

These events are periodically turned into text summaries and local memory files. ChatGPT or Codex can then use them to identify the source that is actually relevant, such as a file, Slack conversation, or Google Doc, and directly access that resource when the corresponding integration is available. The timeline can also surface suggestions for skills or automations based on repetitive tasks.

Collection remains optional and can be controlled on an app-by-app or website-by-website basis. Users can pause Computer History from the menu bar, exclude specific sources, and delete individual activities or the entire history. Private browsing activity is never included. In Business and Enterprise workspaces, an administrator must first grant access before each member can individually choose to enable the feature.

Raw interaction events are temporarily stored on the Mac for up to 48 hours. OpenAI says they are then processed through ephemeral Codex sessions to generate memories and deleted from its servers after processing, unless retention is legally required. The generated memory files remain stored locally as Markdown files until the user deletes them. The documentation notes that these files are not encrypted by Computer History and may contain sensitive information.

The feature also introduces an additional prompt injection risk, since content encountered in an app or on a website may later become part of the context used by ChatGPT or Codex. OpenAI specifically recommends disabling collection during certain communications or excluding apps that contain sensitive personal, medical, or financial information.

Computer History is currently limited to the ChatGPT desktop app on macOS for Pro, Business, and Enterprise users. The feature requires Memories and is not available through an API key or Amazon Bedrock. It is currently unavailable in the European Economic Area, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.