ChatGPT gains an agent that completes an entire task rather than just a response

OpenAI is adding ChatGPT Work, an integrated agent within ChatGPT that executes end-to-end tasks across applications and files, rather than being limited to just responding. It gathers context, plans, acts, and can spend hours on a complex project by breaking it down into autonomously conducted steps. It relies on Codex technology and the GPT-5.6 model, which went online the same day.

The principle is to delegate a known objective (analyzing a month-end budget variance, transforming sources into a campaign brief, preparing a sales meeting) and to track progress, answer questions, change course, or validate sensitive actions. The agent produces documents, presentations, spreadsheets, and analyses by aligning with templates and reference files. A scheduled tasks feature lets it work in the background, for example, converting new Teams or Slack messages into updated documents.

The release is accompanied by a redesign of the desktop experience. The Codex application merges with the new ChatGPT desktop application, where Chat, Work, and Codex coexist; the old version is renamed ChatGPT Classic. On the computer, ChatGPT accesses local files and applications, integrates a browser for online work, and a Computer Use feature allows it to act on the computer (clicking, typing, moving files). The Chrome extension is updated for access from the sidebar, and OpenAI is beginning to phase out its standalone Atlas browser, inviting users to migrate. A Sites brick, in preview, transforms a piece of work into a shareable website or web application.

Regarding governance, the tool is backed by the ChatGPT Enterprise foundation (centralized management of access, connected tools, and permitted actions, compliance APIs), with an automatic review of sensitive actions before execution. ChatGPT Work is deploying starting today on web and mobile for Pro, Enterprise, and Edu plans, followed by Plus and Business; the desktop application is available on Mac and Windows, with Chat, Work, and Codex being accessible on all plans, including free.