Work vs Chat vs Codex
Three modes, one app, and a genuinely confusing rollout. The rule that settles almost every case: pick by what the finish line looks like.
VERIFIED 2026-08-23 · OPENAI HELP CENTERThe verdict in one line each
Chat — ask questions, search, brainstorm, get quick conversational help.
Work — research a topic, analyze information, or create a document, spreadsheet, presentation, report or Site.
Codex — write or debug code, run tests and commands, review changes, or work with a repository.
If your finish line is a file a colleague opens, use Work. If it is a repository that passes tests, use Codex. If it is an answer in your head, stay in Chat.
Side by side
| Chat | Work | Codex | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built for | Fast conversational help | Longer multi-step work with a deliverable | Software development |
| Output | Messages | Spreadsheet, deck, doc, report, Site | Code changes, tests, reviews |
| Available on web | Yes | Eligible paid plans | Not selectable |
| Available on mobile | Yes | Eligible paid plans | Remote tab only |
| Available on desktop app | Yes | When included for your plan and workspace | Yes, as a separate view |
| Local files | No | Desktop app only, with permission | Folders, repos, terminals |
| Chat history | Shared — Chat and Work appear together in Recents | Separate from ChatGPT history | |
| Voice | Standard ChatGPT Voice | Desktop, macOS & Windows | Desktop, macOS & Windows |
| Usage metering | Plan message limits | Shared agentic usage and credit pool | |
Source: OpenAI Help Center, ChatGPT Work and Codex. Availability is still rolling out and can differ by workspace.
How to switch between them
On desktop
- Select ChatGPT or Codex from the top-left menu.
- Inside ChatGPT, select Chat or Work from the toggle at the top of the page.
- Chat and Work chats appear together in Recents — use the filter to show all, or only Chat, or only Work, and sort or pin as needed.
- Codex stays a separate view with its own history. Inside Codex, New chat opens Quick Chat.
On mobile
- Select Chat or Work from the dropdown at the top of the screen.
- Codex is not selectable. Supported desktop Codex chats are reachable from the Remote tab, and they do not join your mobile chat history.
Where people get it wrong
Using Work for a quick question. Work plans, gathers context and produces an artifact. For "what's the capital of…" it is slower and burns shared credit. Stay in Chat.
Using Work to change a codebase. Work is built around research and finished materials; Codex is built around software changes and the tooling to verify them. A repo is a Codex job.
Assuming web Work can see your desktop. It cannot. Work on web and mobile runs in the cloud with no access to your local files. That is a desktop-only capability, and a separate admin permission.