OpenAI tweaks chat access in the ChatGPT app for Mac

OpenAI has implemented significant changes to the ChatGPT app for Mac, specifically tweaking chat access to integrate Codex and a new feature called "Work" mode. According to coverage from quasa.io, this merger of ChatGPT and Codex into a single application follows the launch of GPT-5.6. The update effectively brings the Codex coding tool to mobile environments via the ChatGPT interface. These modifications change how users interact with the desktop software, transitioning the application from a standard chat interface into a multi-functional tool that combines general conversational AI with specialized coding capabilities. Different media outlets are highlighting varying aspects of this rollout. 9to5Mac focuses on the specific tweaks to chat access within the Mac app, while quasa.io emphasizes the technical merge of the Codex and ChatGPT platforms. Some coverage expresses critical views; ZDNET reports on the perceived gutting of the original ChatGPT Desktop experience to accommodate the new Codex and Work features.

Meanwhile, entrepreneur.com highlights the operational potential of the new Work mode, claiming it can run 95% of a one-person business without the need for hiring or coding skills. These reports collectively illustrate a shift toward a more utility-driven application. Contextually, this update marks a transition for OpenAI as it leverages the GPT-5.6 model to expand the scope of its tools. The introduction of Work mode is designed to automate business processes, a claim explored in detail by entrepreneur.com. The integration of Codex suggests a move toward unified AI environments where coding and chatting are no longer separate experiences. Forbes has already begun testing the practical applications of these changes, specifically using the Work mode to attempt the process of finding a job, indicating that the tool is being positioned as a career and business management assistant rather than just a chatbot.

Looking ahead, the impact of these changes will be measured by how users adapt to the new interface. Coverage from spyglass.org describes the update as making "ChatGPT ChatGPT again," while ZDNET's critique suggests some users may find the removal of previous desktop features problematic. The industry will likely monitor how the 95% automation claim for one-person businesses holds up in real-world scenarios. Because the rollout is tied to the GPT-5.6 launch, further updates to the Mac app's chat access may occur as the new model is optimized for the combined Codex and Work environments.