OpenAI to Merge Chat and Work Tabs in ChatGPT Desktop App

Technology company OpenAI is planning a major change to make the desktop app easier and more streamlined to use. The company has decided to combine the ‘Chat’ and ‘Work’ tabs within the ChatGPT app.

OpenAI confirmed the plan in an email sent to its customers. Initially, selected users will be given access to the update so the company can collect feedback. It will then be rolled out to everyone in phases.

User-Centred Features and a New Workflow

In the existing desktop app, users have separate tabs for Chat and Work alongside the coding assistant ‘Codex’. Having these different sections often made it confusing for users to locate specific projects or files.

With the new change, users will be able to work from a single interface, moving seamlessly from drafting an initial idea to turning it into a fully developed project. They will be able to add their own files and plugins to create websites, prepare presentations, and manage complex web-based tasks—all from one place.

However, Codex, the specialised coding assistant, will remain available as a separate feature within the ChatGPT app.

Shared Token Pool and Market Competition

Following the integration, both ChatGPT and Codex will operate using a single user ‘token allocation’, or the usage limit included in their subscription. OpenAI said this is not expected to affect ordinary users. However, customers with particularly heavy usage may have to wait somewhat longer than before for their token limits to reset.

It is worth noting that OpenAI’s main competitor, Anthropic, had already brought the Chat and Co-Work features of its Claude app together on a single screen last September. Following this move by its rival, OpenAI has now introduced its own feature consolidation for users.

//DBTech/BMT/OR//