OpenAI rolls Codex into ChatGPT, launches Work mode to take on Claude

OpenAI has reorganized its product lineup, merging Codex into the ChatGPT desktop application and simultaneously unveiling ChatGPT Work, a cross-platform tool that brings agentic capabilities to non-coding tasks. The moves represent a strategic effort to consolidate the company's offerings and directly challenge Anthropic's rising Claude Cowork platform.

Building the AI superapp#

The desktop consolidation signals OpenAI's shift in branding strategy. Rather than making Codex the umbrella for all services, ChatGPT has become the flagship application, with Codex functionality now nested within it. According to an OpenAI spokesperson, the approach preserves Codex's core function while expanding the broader platform's reach: "Codex is now part of a broader ChatGPT desktop app. Within the ChatGPT desktop app, ChatGPT Work is for those looking to tackle a broader range of complex projects, bringing Codex's agentic capabilities across web, mobile, and desktop, while Codex itself remains focused on software development."

Interestingly, traditional chat—once ChatGPT's primary draw—has been demoted to a sidebar feature, with Work and Codex now positioned as the two main operational modes.

ChatGPT Work: From Codex spillover to feature#

The new Work tier emerged from a practical observation: many Codex users were already applying it to tasks beyond code. Anthropic made the same discovery with Claude Code, leading to Claude Cowork. OpenAI is now formalizing this use case.

ChatGPT Work enables users to:

• Orchestrate complex workflows across documents, spreadsheets, and external assets
• Integrate third-party services including Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Drive, SharePoint, and CRM tools
• Schedule autonomous tasks that run in the cloud without requiring a machine to remain powered on
• Access the tool seamlessly across desktop, web, and mobile—an advantage over Claude Cowork's initial desktop-only launch

A key differentiator is availability: while Claude Cowork only recently expanded to mobile, ChatGPT Work launches with cross-platform support from day one, allowing users to start work on a phone and resume on desktop.

Codex gets a new home, Atlas gets sunset#

Existing Codex users will see minimal disruption. The next update automatically transitions them to the new ChatGPT app while preserving familiar features like inline diff editing, pull request review, and multi-repository support. The transition is largely rebranding with added feature integration rather than a ground-up rebuild.