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Work through websites
Work can open pages, click, move through a site and collect information across multiple pages.
Work
When should you use Work instead of Chat?
Chat can already research, analyse files and create content. Use Work when ChatGPT needs a fuller working environment to complete the task.
Website interactionReusable working filesSitesComputer accessModel choice
The simplest rule
Start with Chat. Move to Work when ChatGPT needs to do more than normal chat tools can handle.
Five reasons to switch to Work
These are the practical differences that matter to most users.
📁
Reuse working files later
Files created in Work can stay available for later Work sessions instead of starting from a fresh working area.
🧩
Build and publish a Site
Work can create, test and publish a working ChatGPT Site.
💻
Work on your computer
Local Work can use approved files, folders and programs on your computer.
⚙️
Choose Work models
Work offers a different model picker, including Sol, Terra and Luna with more reasoning levels.
See what this looks like
Use the tabs to compare the Work screen, the model picker and one example of when Chat tells you to move to Work.
Work screen
Work is set up like a task workspace
The screen is built around a larger piece of work, not only a single back-and-forth chat.
Prompt box “What should we work on?” makes the handoff feel more task-based.
Useful shortcuts Project, Files and Plugins are visible right below the composer.
Practical takeaway If the task needs more setup and more tools, Work is the better place to start.
Work models
Work shows a broader model picker
Depending on your plan, Work can expose Sol, Terra and Luna, along with more effort choices.
What changes The list is more task-oriented and gives you more control.
Why it matters You may choose a stronger model or higher effort for heavier work.
Practical takeaway This is useful, but it is not the main reason to use Work.
Chat screen
Chat keeps the interface simpler
Normal Chat is still powerful, but it presents fewer controls up front and is designed to feel lighter.
Good starting point Use Chat first for most writing, analysis and normal file work.
Simpler model menu Chat usually shows a smaller set of model options.
Practical takeaway Don’t leave Chat unless the task really needs Work-specific abilities.
When Chat falls short
Sometimes Chat will tell you to switch to Work
Here, the task needs website interaction. Chat cannot log into LinkedIn from a normal chat, so it points you to Work and its browser.
Good example Logging in, navigating a site and continuing across pages is a Work job.
What stays with you You still handle sensitive credentials when prompted.
Practical takeaway This is one of the clearest real-world signs that it is time to use Work.
Chat or Work?
| What needs to happen? | Chat | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Research, analyse files, write or create a deliverable | Start here | Usually unnecessary |
| Move through websites, click or collect information across pages | Limited | Use Work |
| Reuse files created during earlier Work sessions | Fresh working area | Use Work |
| Build and publish a working ChatGPT Site | Can help create it | Use Work |
| Work directly with files or programs on your computer | No direct local access | Use Local Work |
See the difference
Competitor research
Chat
“Compare these five competitors and summarise their positioning.”
Work
“Go through these 40 competitor websites, collect their pricing and product information, organise it and create a report.”
Data analysis
Chat
“Analyse this Excel file and explain why sales dropped.”
Work
“Collect additional data from these websites, combine it with my files and create the final analysis.”
Website
Chat
“Help me plan and write a website.”
Work
“Build the website, test it and publish it as a Site.”
Give Work a clear finish line
Tell Work what you want finished, what it should use, what it must keep unchanged and what you want back.
Review these customer interviews, identify the five recurring issues and create a 10-slide leadership presentation. Use the existing presentation as the design reference and keep the slide order unchanged.
Work
Choose the right working environment
Cloud Work is ideal for uploaded files, connected apps and web sources. Local Work is for tasks that need files or applications on your computer.
CloudLocalPermissions
Two places Work can run
☁️Cloud WorkRuns while your computer is off
💻Local WorkUses approved files and desktop apps
🔌Connected appsDirect access where supported
🌐Public browserUseful when no app route exists
Cloud and local at a glance
Question
Cloud Work
Local Work
Where it runs
OpenAI cloud
Your computer
Local files
Upload what it needs
Direct access with permission
Computer can be off
Yes
No
Frame agentic work safely
Expect pauses
Work may ask for clarification, permission or confirmation before an important action.
Prefer direct app access
Use a connected app when it can complete the action; browser interaction is a fallback for public web pages.
Review before impact
Check irreversible, financial, legal or business actions before approving them.
Delegation still needs direction
Give Work the outcome, material, boundaries and review criteria. Then check the result rather than assuming every intermediate decision was right.
What Work can do with files and connected services
The best route depends on whether the material is uploaded, connected through an App or stored locally on your computer.
References and templates are different
A reference file guides one task. A reusable template combines an example with standing instructions so the same type of output can be produced repeatedly.
Connected Apps are direct routes
Where supported, Work can search or act through connected services and may create native Google Docs, Sheets or Slides. The App and workspace permissions still define what is available.
Browser access has limits
Public browser interaction is useful when no App can complete the task directly, but websites may block automated access. Cloud browser also cannot complete every sign-in or payment flow.