Technology
Published on November 2, 2026

OpenAI will merge ChatGPT’s chat and work tabs – here’s when, and what to expect

Selected by Miika Tikkanen · via ZDNET
OpenAI will merge ChatGPT’s chat and work tabs – here’s when, and what to expect


ZDNET’s key takeaways

  • OpenAI will merge Chat and Work tabs in December.
  • The change will be tested among select users before being rolled out.
  • OpenAI anticipates that most users will not be affected.

OpenAI will merge ChatGPT’s chat and work tabs starting in December, according to a post on OpenAI’s website.

Also: This new ChatGPT scam tricks you into installing malware

Currently, ChatGPT’s desktop app features a ChatGPT and Codex section, and within the ChatGPT section, you can find the Chat and Work tabs. It’s not especially easy to navigate, and OpenAI is looking to change that.

(Disclosure: Ziff Davis, ZDNET’s parent company, filed an April 2025 lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.)

“Starting in December, Plus, Pro, and Business plans’ usage allowance will be shared across ChatGPT and Codex as we bring the agentic capabilities of Work into the main ChatGPT experience,” OpenAI detailed in its note entitled “Understanding ChatGPT and Codex usage limits.”

An email was also sent to current users, sharing similar information, according to TechCrunch. The email confirmed the merger of the Chat and Work tabs, adding that the integrated experience will be available to select users for feedback before it is made more widely available.

Also: How ChatGPT helped me fix a corrupted gaming PC

“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,” the email said.

OpenAI said the transition will allow both ChatGPT and Codex to draw tokens from the same allowance pool. While most customers won’t be affected, depending on usage and model, some users may need to wait for resets more than usual.

“Your usage for ChatGPT and Codex will be measured in tokens, the units of information a model processes and generates. How much of your allowance you use will depend on the model you choose and the task you ask it to do. More advanced models and complex tasks generally use more of your allowance. Instant chat will not draw from your usage,” OpenAI said in the online note.

In September, rival Anthropic merged Claude‘s chat and Cowork functions into a single screen. OpenAI said that they don’t expect the upcoming change to disrupt users’ current experience.

Also: These Claude Enterprise features let you track AI ROI

“We’re preparing carefully for this transition to help prevent disruption to your workflows. We expect most users won’t need to wait for their usage to reset more often than they do now,” OpenAI said.


Kayla Solino is a ZDNET Editor based in New York City and New Jersey. She has a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Alabama. Some of her past bylines include Inc., Fortune, and The Crimson White. In her spare time, she enjoys keeping up with all things Crimson Tide, binge-watching British Bake Off, and baking.

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