OpenAI has consolidated its ChatGPT and Codex platforms into one unified application, introducing a dedicated Work mode that aims to streamline professional productivity tasks like creating presentations, building tables, and analyzing data. The merger follows the launch of GPT-5.6, the company's latest frontier model, and represents a significant shift in how OpenAI is positioning its AI tools for enterprise and professional users.

What Is the New Work Mode and How Does It Perform?

Work mode is designed as a specialized interface within the merged ChatGPT-Codex app, tailored specifically for business-oriented tasks rather than general conversation. Early user feedback has been largely positive among those who have tested it, with many reporting that the mode feels more structured and reliable for professional work than the standard chat interface.

Users have highlighted several strengths of the new mode, including improved handling of structured outputs such as tables, slide outlines, and project plans, as well as better context retention across longer work sessions. However, some users note that achieving consistent, high-quality results still requires careful prompting, particularly when working on complex presentations.

How to Get Started With ChatGPT Work Mode and Codex

• Subscription Requirement: Users with an active ChatGPT subscription of at least $8 per month are eligible to access the new Work mode and Codex features within the unified app.
• Credit Promotion: OpenAI is offering $100 in non-API credits for Codex and Work mode to subscribers who share honest feedback about GPT-5.6 and compare it with competing models like Claude and Gemini.
• Feedback Submission: Participants can post their impressions on social media and visit the official switch page at switch-to-codex.openai.chatgpt.site to claim credits and provide detailed insights.
• App Update Required: Users must update their mobile and desktop ChatGPT applications to access the merged platform and Work mode features.

What Are the Current Usability Challenges?

Despite the positive reception, the unified interface has drawn criticism from some users. A major complaint centers on the replacement of the classic full-screen ChatGPT experience with a smaller floating window, which many users find less comfortable for extended conversations or deep work sessions.

Chat history management has also emerged as a pain point. While some users report seeing their previous conversations within the new window, others say their history is missing or incomplete. Even when history is visible, there is currently no search functionality, making it difficult to quickly retrieve older threads.

How Is User Growth Tracking the Merger?

The update appears to have driven significant engagement, though growth metrics come with important caveats. OpenAI has maintained a tradition of resetting weekly usage limits each time Codex reaches another million active users. The company has now cleared three major milestones in quick succession: 6 million, 7 million, and 8 million active users, with the combined active user count for Codex and ChatGPT Work potentially crossing 9 million.

"The combined active user count for Codex and ChatGPT Work could cross 9 million today," stated Tibo, head of ChatGPT and Codex.

Tibo, Head of ChatGPT and Codex at OpenAI

However, observers have noted that a significant portion of the new users are simply existing ChatGPT users who were prompted or required to update to the new unified app. This makes it difficult to determine how many of the additional users are genuinely new Codex adopters, particularly programmers, compared with competitors like Claude Code.

What Does This Mean for OpenAI's Competitive Position?

The unification of ChatGPT and Codex, combined with the new Work mode, represents OpenAI's clearest push yet into the professional productivity space. The move comes as the AI market intensifies, with multiple frontier models launching in July 2026 and API pricing for established models declining significantly. By consolidating its tools and introducing a dedicated productivity mode, OpenAI is attempting to capture more of the enterprise and professional user segment that increasingly relies on AI for daily workflows.

Whether Work mode becomes a daily driver for presentations, spreadsheets, and team workflows, or remains a secondary feature, will likely depend on how quickly OpenAI addresses current user experience complaints around window size and chat history functionality. The $100 credit promotion suggests the company is actively gathering real-world feedback to refine the experience before broader rollout.