OpenAI Merges ChatGPT and Codex into One App After GPT-5.6 Launch, Introduces New “Work” Mode

Following the release of GPT-5.6, OpenAI has rolled out a major update to its mobile and desktop applications, merging the classic ChatGPT experience with Codex into a single unified platform. The biggest addition is a new dedicated Work mode, designed specifically for productivity tasks such as creating presentations, building tables, analyzing data, and handling day-to-day professional workflows.

Early user feedback on Work mode has been mixed but largely positive among those who have tried it. Many report that it feels more structured and reliable for business-oriented tasks than the standard chat interface. Users highlight improved handling of structured outputs (tables, slides outlines, project plans) and better context retention across longer sessions. However, some note that it still requires careful prompting to achieve consistent, high-quality results, especially for complex presentations.

---

Rapid User Growth — With an Asterisk

The update appears to have driven significant engagement. Since spring, OpenAI has maintained a tradition of resetting weekly usage limits every time Codex hits another million active users.

The team has now cleared three major milestones in quick succession — 6 million, 7 million, and 8 million active users. Tibo, head of ChatGPT & Codex, stated that the combined active user count for Codex and ChatGPT Work could cross 9 million today.

While the numbers look impressive on paper, some observers are calling the growth partially “artificial.” A large 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.

---

App Criticisms and UX Friction

The new unified interface has also drawn criticism. Many users complain that the classic full-screen ChatGPT experience has been replaced by a smaller floating window, which feels less comfortable for long conversations or deep work. 

Chat history is another point of contention. While some users report seeing their previous conversations inside the new window, others say the history is missing or incomplete. Even when history is visible, there is currently no search functionality, making it harder to quickly retrieve older threads.

---

$100 in Work Credits Available

To gather more real-world feedback, OpenAI is running a limited promotion: users with an active subscription of at least $8/month can receive $100 in non-API credits for Codex and Work mode. 

To participate:

1. Share your honest impressions of GPT-5.6 and/or compare it with other models (Claude, Gemini, etc.).
2. Post a tweet with your thoughts.
3. Visit the official switch page: https://switch-to-codex.openai.chatgpt.site/

The promotion is positioned as a way for OpenAI to collect genuine user insights while giving power users extra runway to test the new Work capabilities.

---

Bottom line: The unification of ChatGPT and Codex plus the new Work mode represents OpenAI’s clearest push yet into the professional productivity space.

The raw user numbers are growing fast, but questions remain about how much of that growth reflects genuine new adoption versus forced app migration.

Whether the 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 the current UX complaints around window size and chat history.

Have you tried the new Work mode yet? How does it compare to using regular ChatGPT or Claude for work tasks?

---

Also read:

• Connecticut QuantumCT Secures $15M NSF Award for Quantum Innovation Hub
• Wolfspeed Files Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Navitas Over Five GaN and SiC Patents
• YouTube Inauthentic Content Buckets Explained in 2026 Interview
• South Korea’s Hyundai Workers Strike Over Humanoid Robots: Sci-Fi Scenarios Meet the Assembly Line
• Anthropic Launches “Claude for Teachers”: Free Premium AI Built Specifically for K-12 Educators

---

Thank you!