OpenAI Plans to Merge ChatGPT Chat and Work Features, Introduces Shared Usage Limits from December

OpenAI is preparing to integrate ChatGPT’s Work capabilities into regular conversations, while introducing shared usage limits for ChatGPT and Codex subscribers on selected paid plans.

ChatGPT Could Soon Do More Than Answer Questions: OpenAI Plans Major Changes

OpenAI is preparing to make ChatGPT more useful for complex, multi-step tasks by bringing capabilities from its Work tab into the regular chat interface. The planned update will allow users to move from discussing an idea to asking the AI assistant to complete practical tasks without switching between separate sections.

The changes will also affect how usage is calculated for subscribers on certain paid plans. From December, ChatGPT and Codex will begin drawing from a shared token allowance, although everyday Instant conversations will remain outside this limit.

OpenAI Plans to Bring ChatGPT Work Features Into Regular Chat

OpenAI intends to combine features currently available through ChatGPT’s Work tab with its main chat experience. The updated interface will allow users to access files and plugins while working within a regular conversation.

According to a report by TechCrunch, OpenAI shared details of the planned changes through an email to users. The company aims to make it easier for people to complete tasks directly through ChatGPT rather than moving between different tools and interfaces.

With the integrated experience, users will be able to ask ChatGPT to perform activities such as:

• Building websites based on their requirements.

• Creating presentations and other work documents.

• Working with uploaded files.

• Using connected plugins to complete tasks.

• Carrying out activities on the web.

Users will also be able to monitor the assistant's progress, review its output and provide further instructions while a task is underway.

New ChatGPT Experience to Roll Out Gradually

The combined interface will initially be made available to selected users so OpenAI can collect feedback and evaluate the experience before expanding access.

The company has not announced a confirmed timeline for making the feature available to everyone.

However, Codex will continue to operate as a separate experience within the ChatGPT desktop application. This means the integration will bring more work-related capabilities into regular chat without completely removing the standalone Codex experience.

ChatGPT and Codex to Share Usage Limits From December

Alongside the interface changes, OpenAI is also preparing to revise how usage is counted for some paid subscribers.

According to the company's Help Centre, starting in December, ChatGPT and Codex usage will contribute towards a common allowance for users on the Plus, Pro and Business plans.

The allowance will be measured in tokens, with consumption depending on the model selected and the complexity of the task. More advanced models and demanding activities are generally expected to consume more tokens.

However, ordinary conversations using ChatGPT's Instant mode will not count towards this shared allowance.

How Users Can Track Their Remaining Usage

Subscribers will be able to monitor their combined usage and check when their allowance resets through the Usage section under ChatGPT Settings.

If users exhaust their available allowance, they will have several options to continue using eligible features:

• Wait until the usage allowance resets.

• Upgrade to a higher subscription plan.

• Purchase additional credits to access eligible features.

OpenAI expects that most subscribers will not need to wait for usage resets more frequently than they currently do. However, the actual experience will depend on individual usage patterns and the types of tasks performed.

OpenAI's Changes Follow Anthropic's Unified AI Experience

OpenAI's planned integration comes after competitor Anthropic introduced changes to bring Claude's chat and Cowork capabilities together in a single interface in September.

The move reflects a broader shift in the AI industry, where companies are expanding beyond conversational assistants towards platforms capable of handling complete workflows.

Instead of simply responding to questions, AI assistants are increasingly being developed to create documents, build websites, work with files and complete tasks across different digital services.

OpenAI's proposed changes could make ChatGPT more convenient for users who rely on it for both everyday conversations and professional work. The shared usage system will also introduce a common way of tracking consumption across ChatGPT and Codex for eligible paid subscribers.

Conclusion

OpenAI's planned ChatGPT update signals a move towards making AI assistants more capable of handling complete tasks within a single interface. By integrating Work features into regular conversations and introducing shared usage limits for selected paid plans, the company aims to create a more connected experience for users. The gradual rollout will help determine how effectively these changes improve everyday and professional workflows.