ChatGPT is merging its Chat and Work tabs, so you can stop guessing which door to knock on
By Brett Gavaghan, Founder of Adaptd ·
OpenAI is folding the Chat and Work tabs in the ChatGPT desktop app into one place, and ChatGPT and Codex will share a single usage allowance.
The short version
- OpenAI plans to merge the Chat and Work tabs in the ChatGPT desktop app into one place for questions and tasks.
- Select users get it first for feedback, and OpenAI hasn't given a date or a list of plans for the wider rollout.
- ChatGPT and Codex will draw on one usage allowance, so heavy users may hit their limits sooner.
At the moment the ChatGPT desktop app asks you to pick a tab before you start, a bit like choosing the right queue at the post office. OpenAI has decided that's one decision too many.
What is changing in ChatGPT?
OpenAI is merging the Chat and Work tabs in the ChatGPT desktop app into one experience, according to an email to users reported by TechCrunch on 2 November 2026. In the merged version you can bring in files and plugins, ask ChatGPT to build a website or a presentation, or have it do tasks on the web while you review and steer the work.
OpenAI's email says the aim is to go from exploring an idea to having ChatGPT carry it through in one place. Codex, its coding tool, stays separate.
Who gets it, and when?
Select ChatGPT users get the merged version first, so OpenAI can collect feedback before a wider rollout. OpenAI hasn't given a release date or said which plans are included, so there's nothing to switch on yet.
One change comes with it: ChatGPT and Codex will draw from the same usage allowance. OpenAI says most people won't be affected, but depending on how much you use and which model, you may wait for limits to reset more often.
What should your business do about it?
Most businesses don't need to do anything yet. If your team has how-to notes or training guides that say "open the Work tab", flag them for an update once the change reaches you.
My take: one front door is the right call. Plenty of people never opened the Work tab because they weren't sure what it was for, a bit like paying for a gym membership and only using the car park. Keep an eye on the shared allowance if someone on your team also leans on Codex.
If it means fewer "which tab did I do that in?" moments, I'll take it.
Sources
Wondering what this means for your business?
That's exactly what the discovery call is for.