OpenAI to Merge ChatGPT’s Chat and Work Tabs Into a Single Interface
OpenAI says the unified ChatGPT workspace will let users move from brainstorming to execution, using files and plugins to build sites or presentations without switching tabs. It’s rolling out to select users; ChatGPT and Codex will share token allowances, while Codex remains separate.
OpenAI announced in November 2026 that it will merge the Chat and Work tabs within the ChatGPT desktop app into a unified experience, according to an email sent to users. The change is initially rolling out to select users for feedback before a wider release.
The ChatGPT desktop app currently features separate ChatGPT and Codex sections, with the ChatGPT section further divided into Chat and Work tabs. OpenAI indicated the consolidation is aimed at reducing confusion and letting users move between tasks without losing track of where they are working.
“This will enable you to move from exploring an idea to having ChatGPT carry it through, all in one place,” the company said in the email. “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.”
Codex will not be folded into the merged experience and will remain a separate section within the ChatGPT desktop app.
The update also carries a practical change to how usage is tracked. OpenAI said that following the transition, both ChatGPT and Codex will draw tokens from the same allowance pool. The company noted this change will not affect most users, but some may need to wait for usage resets more frequently depending on their activity and the models they use.
The move follows a similar step by rival Anthropic, which merged Claude’s chat and Cowork functions into a single screen in September 2026.