OpenAI merges ChatGPT Chat and Work tabs into a single view

Simplifying the user workflow

OpenAI is updating the ChatGPT desktop app to combine the Chat and Work tabs into a single interface. This move was announced in an email sent directly to users to address a recurring source of confusion within the current layout. The company noted that the previous split between these two sections often caused people to lose track of their specific projects.

By merging these tabs, OpenAI intends to collapse the different steps of a project into one unified view. The goal is to allow users to transition from the initial exploration phase to the final execution phase without having to switch contexts. This design change is meant to make the transition from a simple prompt to a finished product feel more seamless for the average person.

The update is part of a broader trend in the industry toward consolidated workspaces. As Yahoo Tech reported, this move mirrors a similar change made by Anthropic in September, which combined its own chat and coworker functions onto a single screen. OpenAI is following a design philosophy that prioritizes a continuous flow of work over distinct, separated tools.

From brainstorming to execution

The new unified view is designed to let users take an idea from its earliest stages all the way to a finished output. Instead of moving between different tabs to perform different types of tasks, users can now stay in one place to guide the AI through various steps. This includes the ability to bring in specific files and plugins while interacting with the model.

With this combined interface, users can ask the AI to perform complex actions such as building a website or creating a presentation. They can also have the AI perform tasks on the web while they review and guide the progress in real time. The company wants to ensure that the transition from a creative spark to a tangible result happens in a single, cohesive environment.

OpenAI explained that this change will allow users to move from exploring an idea to having the AI carry it through in one place. The focus is on providing a workspace where the user remains in control of the output while the AI handles the heavy lifting of construction. This reflects a shift toward making the AI feel more like a collaborative partner in a production pipeline.

What stays separate

While the Chat and Work tabs are merging, not every part of the ChatGPT desktop app is being consolidated. Specifically, the Codex section will remain a distinct and separate experience within the app. This means that users who rely heavily on Codex for specific coding or technical tasks will still find it in its own dedicated area rather than being folded into the new unified view.

The merger applies strictly to the views within the ChatGPT section of the software. By keeping Codex separate, OpenAI ensures that users who need a specialized environment for certain types of work do not lose the specific functionality they are used to. It creates a distinction between the general-purpose ChatGPT experience and the more specialized Codex tools.

This distinction is important for users who have established workflows that depend on the separation of tasks. Even though the primary ChatGPT experience is becoming more unified, the architecture of the desktop app still maintains a dedicated space for Codex. This allows for a more streamlined experience for most users while preserving the original structure for others.

Changes to usage limits

The merger of the tabs also brings a significant change to how users are billed for their interactions. OpenAI announced that once the switch takes effect, both ChatGPT and Codex will pull from a shared allowance pool. This means that the tokens—the units of data used to process requests—will be shared across both services rather than being managed independently.

The company stated that this shift will not affect the majority of users who use the tools in a standard way. However, the impact may vary depending on how heavily a person works and which specific models they choose to use. Some users who perform high-volume tasks might notice that they hit their reset waits more frequently because of the shared pool.

This change represents a move toward a more integrated resource management system for OpenAI's products. By pooling the tokens, the company can manage the underlying computing power more efficiently across different features. Users should keep an eye on their usage if they are power users who frequently switch between ChatGPT and Codex tasks.

The rollout plan

OpenAI is not releasing this new layout to every user at the same time. The company stated that the combined experience will initially reach a select group of users for the purpose of gathering feedback. This staged approach allows the company to identify any bugs or issues before the update is pushed out to the broader community.

Because of this phased rollout, the single-view layout will not appear for everyone immediately. Users who do not see the change yet are still on the original version of the app while the company tests the new interface. This ensures that the final version is polished and functional for the widest possible audience.

The company will likely use the feedback from this initial group to make final adjustments to the layout and the shared token system. Once the testing phase is complete, the unified Chat and Work tabs will become the standard experience for the general user base. This transition marks a clear step toward a more streamlined and less confusing desktop application.

Technical details

The primary technical change involves the consolidation of the user interface (UI) elements that previously separated exploration from execution. In software design,

How the merger works

The merge focuses on the

Impact on power users

For those who use the desktop app daily, the most immediate change will be the reduction in menu navigation. Instead of clicking between tabs to move from a brainstorming session to a file-upload task, the tools will be available in the same window. This reduces the cognitive load of remembering which tab holds which specific functionality.

The shared token pool is the most significant backend change for heavy users. Since tokens are the basic units of measurement for AI processing, a shared pool means that using ChatGPT more will leave fewer tokens for Codex, and vice versa. This requires users to be more mindful of their total consumption across the entire suite of tools provided in the desktop app.

OpenAI's goal is to create a more fluid experience where the AI can

Next steps for the app

The company will continue to monitor the feedback from the initial test group to refine the unified view. They aim to ensure that the transition from

Future of the desktop app

The merger is a clear signal that OpenAI wants to move toward a more integrated product experience. By combining these tabs, they are attempting to make the AI feel less like a collection of separate tools and more like a single, cohesive workspace. This reflects a broader trend of simplifying complex software to make it more accessible to non-technical users.

Users should watch for updates on how the shared token pool affects their specific limits over time. As more people move to the unified view, OpenAI may adjust the size of the shared allowance to accommodate different types of workloads. This will be a key factor in determining how the tool scales for professional and creative use cases.

The final rollout will likely be accompanied by further instructions on how to manage files and plugins within the new unified view. For now, the primary takeaway is a move toward a