OpenAI to merge ChatGPT's Chat and Work tabs on desktop; ChatGPT and Codex will share one token allowance
OpenAI is merging the Chat and Work tabs in the ChatGPT desktop app, according to an email sent to users. The rollout starts with select users for feedback before a wider release. Codex remains a separate experience, but ChatGPT and Codex will draw tokens from the same allowance pool.
OpenAI is merging the Chat and Work tabs in the ChatGPT desktop app, according to an email the company sent to users, as reported by TechCrunch (Ivan Mehta) on November 2, 2026. The new combined experience will first reach select users for feedback before a wider rollout.
What is changing
The ChatGPT desktop app currently has separate ChatGPT and Codex sections. Within the ChatGPT section, there are separate Chat and Work tabs. OpenAI's change folds those two tabs into a single experience.
The email describes the goal this way: "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."
The email states that Codex will remain a separate experience in the ChatGPT desktop app.
Shared token allowance
OpenAI also said that with this transition, both ChatGPT and Codex will draw tokens from the same allowance pool. According to the company, the change will not affect most users. Depending on usage and model, though, some users may need to wait for resets more frequently.
The email gives no specific allowance figures, and no pricing changes are stated.
Rollout
The merged experience will be available initially to select users who will provide feedback. OpenAI plans a wide release afterward.
Competitive context
TechCrunch notes that Anthropic merged Claude's chat and Cowork functions into one screen in September.
What this means
The desktop app currently asks users to choose between several surfaces before starting work: ChatGPT versus Codex, then Chat versus Work. TechCrunch describes the merge as an apparent effort to address the confusion that creates about where a project lives. Combining Chat and Work lets a single conversation move from exploring an idea to producing files, presentations or websites, and to taking actions on the web, with the user reviewing the output.
The shared allowance pool is the change with the most practical consequence. Work in ChatGPT and work in Codex will now count against one pool of tokens. OpenAI says most users will not notice, but heavier users, or those on more token-intensive models, could hit limits and wait for resets more often. Users who split their time between ChatGPT and Codex should watch their consumption once the change reaches their account.
Because the rollout begins with select users for feedback, the final design could change before the wider release.
Related Articles
ChatGPT to share one token budget across Chat and Codex on Plus, Pro and Business from December
Starting in December, ChatGPT Plus, Pro and Business plans will share a single token budget across ChatGPT and Codex, according to an updated OpenAI support page. Chats with Instant models won't count toward the budget. OpenAI is folding Work's agentic features into the main ChatGPT interface.
OpenAI doubles Work and Codex quotas on Pro 100 and Pro 500 plans
OpenAI has doubled Work and Codex usage quotas on its Pro 100 and Pro 500 plans. On Pro 200 it doubled the lower quota and reversed a planned cut after user pushback. The Plus plan is unchanged.
OpenAI tightens ChatGPT limits on weapons-related information for teens, even for harmless-looking questions
OpenAI said on Friday it is tightening limits on the weapons-related information ChatGPT provides to teens, even when a question appears harmless. Reuters reported the change as part of new safeguards.
Altman: AI models will expose many more serious software vulnerabilities than expected, after OpenAI's 'PHP week'
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman told John Collison on the Cheeky Pint podcast that models are getting good at finding vulnerabilities and that people have not yet pointed them at most of the code on the internet. He expects a world with many more serious vulnerabilities than anticipated, and says the durable fix is changing software architectures.
Comments
Loading...