OpenAI has launched closed testing of the updated ChatGPT desktop application interface. The key change is the merging of the Chat and Work tabs into a single workspace where, according to the developers, users can complete the entire journey from drafting a plan to the finished result in a single window. The test build is currently available only to a limited group of users as the company gathers feedback before a wider rollout.
A Unified Workspace Instead of Fragmented Tabs
In the updated ChatGPT interface, users can upload files, connect plugins, instruct the model to build websites and presentations, and monitor its work in real time. According to the developers, this transforms the desktop app from a simple chat window into a full-fledged task execution environment where context, files, and results stay in one place.
Shared Token Pool and New Limits
Alongside the new interface, OpenAI is introducing technical adjustments to its limits system. The standalone Codex tool will retain its own interface but will share a common token pool with ChatGPT. For most users, the workload will remain unchanged according to the developers, but under heavy usage, intervals between limit resets will become longer, meaning users will have to wait for quota recovery more often.
Strict Rules for Paid Subscriptions and Payment Cards
Concurrently, the company has updated security rules regarding the Go, Plus, Pro 100, Pro 200, and Pro 500 paid tiers. The system now automatically blocks new purchases or requires logging out of the account if too many paid profiles are linked to a single payment card or device. Free and enterprise tiers are exempt from this restriction—a measure aimed at protecting privacy and preventing abuse.
What to Do If Device Limits Are Exceeded
The developers emphasize: logging out of an account or simply canceling a subscription does not guarantee the automatic removal of restrictions. If the error occurs due to sharing a single PC or bank card among multiple family members, users are advised to contact OpenAI support for manual profile unblocking.
Context: ChatGPT as a Multimodal Working Environment
The interface update fits into the broader 2026 trend where ChatGPT ceases to be merely a service for dialogue and text generation, evolving into a multimodal working environment that combines text, images, voice, and real-time task execution. This is precisely how OpenAI positions the merging of Chat and Work: a single window where the user formulates a task in any convenient way and gets the finished result.
