OpenAI's always-on Dots agents are free—but only for direct work, not for delegated tasks

OpenAI has launched Dots, always-on agent software that operates around the clock without draining a user's standard subscription allowance—at least for now. However, the pricing model comes with a catch: the moment a Dot delegates work to another OpenAI product, usage charges kick in.

How Dots fit into your plan#

A user's primary Dot runs free as part of their subscription during the launch period, accessible continuously without consuming plan credits when the agent handles tasks directly. This differs from traditional metered services: the agent can work all day without affecting your allowance. According to Thibault Sottiaux, OpenAI's head of core products and platform, this baseline access will "always just be included in your plan."

OpenAI's official documentation, however, suggests more caution. The company states that Dots usage won't count toward plan allowances for the first month after launch, with per-plan usage terms to be published later. Developers building systems around Dots therefore operate without clarity on what the permanent pricing structure will look like.

The delegation problem#

Things change the instant a Dot routes work elsewhere. If an agent creates a task in Codex or ChatGPT Work, that task consumes usage allowance like any other metered activity. Because Dots can autonomously decide where to send work—without explicit user approval for each routing decision—the agent's choices directly affect what users pay.

This matters more now because OpenAI simultaneously reduced the included usage quota on its $200 Pro tier and introduced a $500 plan tier. A Dot running continuously costs the company money even during its free period. Sottiaux indicated OpenAI expects "a few million dots online within days," which helps explain why the baseline functionality carries an expiration date.

What happens next#

Sottiaux previewed a future paid tier, saying users will eventually be able to "increase the speed and allow your dot to have more bandwidth" for an additional fee, while basic capacity remains in the plan. He did not clarify whether users will receive warnings before agents shift from included work into metered usage, which could mean subscription credits disappear without user visibility until the balance is checked.

The routing decision becomes even more complex because Dots have options. An agent can often complete identical work multiple ways—handling it internally, using an included tool, or delegating to a metered product like Codex. AWS has entered this space too, promoting an open source alternative it claims costs 45% less to run than Codex or Claude Code. Every routing choice potentially changes the billing outcome, making cost transparency crucial for developers building on Dots.