Pick by job

Which one do I use?

Pick the job you have. You get the tool that fits, why, and where to start it.

What do you need done?

Keep a project moving and tell me when it needs me Run the same check at a set time every day or week Do something whenever a new email, Slack message or pull request arrives Produce one finished report, spreadsheet, deck or site Write, debug or review code in a repository Build a workflow my teammates can run too Let anyone in a Slack or Teams conversation ask for help

Use a dotThe job changes from day to day, and something has to notice and follow up. A dot holds the job, decides when to check back, and remembers what you've told it.

Use a scheduled taskSame job, same time, nothing to decide between runs. A saved prompt on a schedule covers it, and you don't need a dot. If you have a dot, you can ask it for the schedule.

Use a scheduled taskA scheduled task can start on new Gmail messages, new messages in Slack channels you choose, or GitHub pull request activity. A dot can watch for events too, and follow up on what it finds.

Use WorkOne job with an end. You steer it in one chat and get the finished thing back.

Use CodexCodex writes and debugs code, runs tests and commands, reviews changes and works in your repository.

Use a workspace agentIt's built once, then shared with teammates or published to the workspace directory. A dot belongs to one person and can't be shared.

Use @ChatGPTAnyone in an enabled conversation can mention it. A dot in Slack takes direction only from its owner.

A dot

An always-on agent of your own, inside ChatGPT.

Start hereClick your dot under New chat in the ChatGPT sidebar and type the job.

Who directs it: You. One dot per person, and only its owner can direct it.
Where it runs: Its own cloud computer. It can also use a computer you connect, and hand work to Work or Codex.
Works without a new prompt: Yes. It decides when to follow up, runs the schedules you ask for, and reads your connected apps for ways to help.
What it counts against: Talking to it doesn't count toward your ChatGPT usage limits. Tasks it starts in Work or Codex count toward those limits as usual.
Plans: Pro 100, Pro 200 and Pro 500 outside the EEA, Switzerland and the UK, a Business Premium seat, or an Enterprise workspace with dots turned on.

Give your dot a job

ChatGPT Work

An agent for one longer job that ends in a finished thing.

Start hereStart a new chat in ChatGPT and choose Work.

Who directs it: You, one task at a time.
Where it runs: The cloud on web and mobile. In the desktop app it can also use local files and desktop apps with your permission.
Works without a new prompt: No, unless you attach a scheduled task.
What it counts against: The Work and Codex usage on your plan, then credits where your plan offers them.
Plans: Web, mobile and desktop on Plus and Pro. Limited desktop access on Free and Go. Business and Enterprise as the workspace allows.

OpenAI's page on Work and Codex

Codex

OpenAI's tool for software work.

Start hereIn the desktop app, click the title at the top of the sidebar and choose Codex.

Who directs it: You, one task at a time.
Where it runs: Your computer, or OpenAI-managed computers with Codex Cloud.
Works without a new prompt: No, unless you attach a scheduled task.
What it counts against: The same Work and Codex usage, or API pricing if you sign in with your own API key.
Plans: All plans. Access is limited on Free and Go.

OpenAI's page on Work and Codex

A scheduled task

A saved prompt that runs at set times, or when something arrives.

Start hereClick the clock in ChatGPT's left rail to open Scheduled, then New task.

Who directs it: You, by saving a prompt with a schedule or an event.
Where it runs: The cloud for tasks made on the web. Your computer for tasks made in the desktop app for a local project.
Works without a new prompt: Yes, at the times or events you set, and only then.
Plans: Go, Plus and Pro, and Business and Enterprise where the workspace allows. Tasks that start on an event aren't on Free or Go.

OpenAI's page on scheduled tasks

A workspace agent

A shared agent a team builds once for a job many people run.

Start hereAsk your workspace admin whether workspace agents are turned on.

Who directs it: Whoever builds it, plus anyone it's shared with or who finds it in the workspace directory.
Where it runs: From ChatGPT, a Slack channel, a schedule or an API call.
Works without a new prompt: Only on a schedule or an API call you add, or when someone messages it.
Plans: Business and Enterprise. Off in Enterprise until an admin turns it on.

OpenAI's page on workspace agents

@ChatGPT in Slack and Teams

A shared assistant for a workspace's conversations.

Start hereMention @ChatGPT in a conversation where your admin has enabled it.

Who directs it: An admin sets it up. Anyone in an enabled conversation can mention it.
Where it runs: Slack or Teams, through a service account set up for the assistant.
Works without a new prompt: No. It answers when someone mentions it.
What it counts against: The assistant's service account, or the member when the work uses their own connections.
Plans: Business and Enterprise.

OpenAI's page on @ChatGPT in Slack and Teams