OpenAI
OpenAIAug 28
Tech

Use Your Computer and Browser

2 min video3 key momentsWatch original
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TL;DR

OpenAI's ChatGPT Work can now control your desktop apps and browser using Computer Use and Chrome Use features, handling tasks like filling out forms or playing music without needing official integrations.

Key Insights

1

Desktop app only — Computer Use and Chrome Use only work in ChatGPT's desktop Work tab — not on web or mobile — and require explicit permission before accessing any app or website.

2

Background while working — ChatGPT can run background tasks on Mac while you keep working, and you can watch, take over, or stop it at any time with full visibility.

3

Stops before submitting — The system stops before making real changes like submitting forms or creating calendar events, forcing human review on actions that affect other systems or teams.

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Deep Dive

Computer Use and Chrome Use basics

ChatGPT Work introduces two new capabilities for tools lacking direct integrations. Computer Use lets ChatGPT control desktop apps — clicking, typing, and switching windows just like a human would. Chrome Use does the same thing in your browser for websites where you're already signed in. Both features are exclusive to the ChatGPT desktop Work tab and require permission before accessing any app or website. You can grant one-time access or let ChatGPT remember your choice for future sessions.

How it works in practice

The demo shows ChatGPT handling Spotify playback via voice dictation without needing a Spotify plugin — it just opens the desktop app and plays the daylist. For Workday PTO requests, Chrome Use fills out the form in your browser while the Google Calendar plugin simultaneously checks for conflicts and drafts an out-of-office event. The critical safeguard: ChatGPT stops before submitting the PTO or creating the calendar event, letting you review both drafts first. This hybrid approach — browser for Workday, plugin for Calendar — ensures tedious steps are automated while human judgment stays on irreversible actions.

The decision framework

OpenAI's rule is simple: use plugins when there's a direct integration available, Computer Use for desktop apps, and Chrome Use for browsers you're already logged into. The philosophy centers on letting ChatGPT handle repetitive work while keeping humans in the loop for decisions that affect calendars, teams, or external systems. Background execution on Mac means you can keep working while ChatGPT runs tasks invisibly, with the option to intervene at any moment.

Takeaways

  • ✓Enable Computer Use or Chrome Use only for tools that lack plugins but live on your desktop or in your browser.
  • ✓Always review ChatGPT's drafts before submitting forms or creating calendar events — the system intentionally stops short of making irreversible changes.

Key moments

0:46Spotify example without plugin

“Play my daylist on Spotify. This is a small task, but it makes the distinction clear. There isn't a special Spotify integration here. ChatGPT is using the desktop app I already use.”

1:23Appshot for visual context

“I can press Command Command to take an appshot. It works with apps or websites and is like a screenshot with context.”

2:23Workday PTO with review gates

“Show me both drafts and stop before submitting the PTO request or create an encounter event. The request is filled out, the calendar event is ready. But submitting PTO and creating an event are real changes, so I get to review them first.”

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