OpenAI to Merge Chat and Work Tabs in ChatGPT Desktop App

OPA WIRE, Nov 2 (OPA) — OpenAI announced plans to merge the Chat and Work tabs within its ChatGPT desktop application, according to an email sent to users on November 2, 2026. The company stated that the update will initially roll out to a select group of users for feedback before a broader release. The change is designed to allow users to transition from brainstorming to project execution without switching between separate interface sections.

"This will enable you to move from exploring an idea to having ChatGPT carry it through, all in one place," the company stated in the notification. Users will be able to integrate files and plugins to build websites or create presentations while maintaining oversight of the AI's output. OpenAI confirmed that the Codex experience will remain a separate feature within the desktop application.

As part of this transition, OpenAI is unifying the token allowance pool for both ChatGPT and Codex. While the company noted that the change will not impact the majority of users, it cautioned that some individuals may experience more frequent reset intervals depending on their specific usage patterns and model selection. This adjustment aligns the platform's resource management with the new interface structure.

The move follows a similar design shift by competitor Anthropic, which integrated its Claude chat and Cowork functions into a single screen in September 2026. OpenAI has not provided a specific timeline for the full public rollout of the merged interface, emphasizing that the initial phase is strictly for gathering user feedback to refine the experience.