On July 9, 2026, OpenAI launched GPT-5.6 and a product reshuffle in the same announcement: the standalone Codex app is discontinued, its capabilities merged into a new ChatGPT desktop app, alongside a new AI work agent — ChatGPT Work. This guide covers everything developers and knowledge workers need: the three-in-one desktop architecture (Chat / Work / Codex), 1400+ plugin integrations, Plan Mode and Computer Use, post-merge Codex upgrades, a Claude Cowork comparison matrix, a six-step getting-started guide, usage-based pricing, strategic significance, and a complete FAQ.
This was not a routine feature drop — it was a strategic step toward OpenAI's super-app vision. Three things landed at once:
The standalone Codex app merged into the new ChatGPT desktop app (Mac + Windows)
ChatGPT Work launched — an AI work agent for knowledge workers
GPT-5.6 rolled out broadly, powering all of the above
Starting July 9, 2026, the standalone Codex desktop app was discontinued. All capabilities migrated into the new ChatGPT desktop application. Existing users do not need a fresh install — update your Codex app and it upgrades in place to the new ChatGPT desktop client. Projects, settings, and workflows are preserved.
The previous ChatGPT desktop client was renamed ChatGPT Classic and remains available.
| Mode | Purpose | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Chat | Everyday Q&A and conversation | All users |
| Work | Cross-app autonomous tasks with finished deliverables | Professionals, knowledge workers |
| Codex | Programming agent — code review, PR management | Developers, engineering teams |
Good news: All plans, including the free tier, can access all three modes on desktop.
Pain point: Developers used to juggle ChatGPT, Codex, and Operator as separate apps; knowledge workers had no easy path to Codex's Computer Use. This consolidation puts conversation, long-running agents, and coding behind one entry — but long Agent runs demand more local Mac compute, memory, and stable uptime, which is why many teams are evaluating dedicated remote nodes.
ChatGPT Work is the headline product. It is an AI agent that can work autonomously across apps for hours and deliver finished files. You set a goal; it will:
Draft an execution plan and wait for your approval
Connect to Slack, Gmail, Google Drive, and other tools to gather context
Execute multi-step tasks independently
Deliver a document, spreadsheet, presentation, or web app
ChatGPT Work connects to mainstream work tools through a unified plugin directory. Launch partners include:
Usage is simple: type @app-name in your prompt to pull data from that source, or describe the task in plain language and let the agent decide where to fetch information.
For complex tasks, ChatGPT Work offers Plan Mode: the AI lists execution steps, you review and approve, then it runs. This keeps the agent on track and gives you control at key decision points.
On desktop, ChatGPT Work has Computer Use capabilities. It can:
Unlike chat AI that offers suggestions, ChatGPT Work delivers usable finished work:
Set tasks to run at specific times, on triggers, or on a recurring schedule. The agent keeps working even when you are not at your desk.
Knowledge workers do not want another tool that needs constant prompting — they want something that actually finishes the job.
Codex did not disappear — it gained new capabilities inside the unified app. Developers can set Codex as the default launch mode and even keep the Codex app icon on macOS. The mobile ChatGPT app can also access desktop Codex projects.
OpenAI reports 5 million weekly Codex users, with more than 1 million using it for non-coding work. This merge makes Codex capabilities accessible to everyday office workers.
Anthropic shipped Claude Cowork back in April. Both target "AI work agent" use cases, but the design philosophy differs:
| Dimension | ChatGPT Work | Claude Cowork |
|---|---|---|
| Runtime | Cloud + desktop hybrid | Local desktop first |
| File access | Local files on desktop; upload mode on web | Direct control of designated local folders (sandboxed) |
| Integration ecosystem | 1400+ plugins, broader coverage | 20+ official MCP connectors, native M365 integration |
| Best fit | Tasks spanning web apps and cloud tools | File-heavy, repetitive document production workflows |
| Non-technical friendliness | High (approachable UI) | Very high (technical concepts hidden) |
| Pricing model | Usage-based (consumption scales with task complexity) | Per-seat ($20/month and up) |
| Free tier | Yes — desktop access | No free tier |
| Native M365 plugins | Web-only (no native add-in) | Yes — native Word/Excel/PPT add-ins |
In short:
Download the new app: Get the ChatGPT desktop app at chatgpt.com/download (Mac / Windows)
Upgrade in place: If you already have the Codex app, update it — it becomes the new ChatGPT desktop client automatically
Switch to Work mode: Open the app and select Work in the top navigation
Connect tools: Link Gmail, Slack, Google Drive, and other integrations from the plugin directory
Describe your task: State your goal in plain language, or use @app-name to specify a data source
Review the plan and run: Wait for Plan Mode to list steps, confirm, then let the agent run autonomously; set Scheduled Tasks for recurring work
| Plan | Web / Mobile ChatGPT Work |
|---|---|
| Pro, Enterprise, Edu | Available since July 9, 2026 |
| Plus, Business | Rolling out over the following days |
| Free | Web/mobile restricted — use desktop for full access |
ChatGPT Work is not a standalone paid feature — it is included in existing subscription plans. However, it uses the same usage-based billing as Codex: more complex, longer tasks consume more quota. OpenAI has not published per-unit pricing; run a small test task first to gauge real consumption.
| Plan | Monthly Price (US) | ChatGPT Work Access |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Limited desktop access |
| Go | $8 | Expanded desktop access |
| Plus | $20 | Desktop + web/mobile |
| Pro | $100–$200 | Full access, highest usage limits |
| Business / Enterprise | Team pricing | Full access + admin console |
Enterprise admins can set workspace default limits, group caps, per-user overrides, and credit request workflows in the Admin Console.
From "best model" to "deepest workflow integration": Competition is shifting to who embeds most deeply in daily work — ChatGPT Work's answer is "on your desktop, in your Slack, in your Google Drive"
Codex audience expands beyond developers: Of 5 million weekly Codex users, over 1 million use it for non-coding work
The AI super-app takes shape: One app for Chat + Agent + Coding + file control + scheduled tasks + plugin ecosystem
Running ChatGPT Work Computer Use or multi-repo Codex tasks on a local Mac for extended periods often hits bottlenecks: memory pressure causing agent interruptions, Scheduled Tasks pausing when the laptop lid closes, and CPU/disk contention when multiple agents run in parallel. For teams that need 7x24 stable long-running agents, isolated high-risk automation scripts, or simultaneous iOS CI/CD and AI workflows, NodeMini Mac Mini cloud rental — dedicated hardware, SSH access, and auditable outbound networking — is often the more reliable production path.
Sources: OpenAI Blog, The Verge, ChatGPT Learn Changelog, MacRumors. Features and pricing subject to OpenAI official announcements.
No. As of July 9, 2026, the Codex desktop app has been merged into the new ChatGPT desktop application. Update your existing install — projects and data are preserved. Codex remains available as a dedicated coding mode.
Yes on desktop, with usage limits. Web and mobile are not available to free users yet. For the full experience, download the desktop app.
ChatGPT Work is built for long-running, cross-app tasks that deliver finished files. It supports multi-hour autonomous runs, 1400+ plugin integrations, and Plan Mode. Standard Agent mode is better for short, single-step tasks.
Usage scales with task complexity — no per-unit price has been published, and billing follows the same structure as Codex. Run a known task in Plan Mode first to gauge consumption. For stable long-running agent environments, see NodeMini rental plans.
No. After updating, all projects and settings are retained. You can also access desktop Codex projects from the mobile ChatGPT app. Developers can keep the Codex icon and set it as the default launch mode.
Operator is a browser automation agent. ChatGPT Work is broader: plugin integrations with external apps, local file access on desktop, and deliverable documents — designed for multi-hour, multi-step projects rather than one-off browser tasks.
It depends on your workflow. ChatGPT Work wins on cloud multi-app integration and a free tier; Claude Cowork wins on local file workflows and native M365 plugins. Many teams will use both. For more on agent environments, see the Help Center.