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GeneralTier 2 source5 min readSun, 30 Aug 2026

ChatGPT Work adds code execution and web automation Chat doesn't have

Simon Willison

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Originally published as “Understanding ChatGPT Work

Highlights

  • Code execution now has unrestricted internet access, unlike Chat
  • Headless Chrome browser enables web automation and form-filling
  • Persistent filesystem shared across Work sessions, unlike Chat's ephemeral storage
  • Deploy full websites via Cloudflare Workers directly from Work
  • Sub-agents and scheduled automations available only in Work tier

OpenAI's ChatGPT Work, launched in July 2026, is a paid-tier product ($20/month+) that splits into two variants: Work Cloud (web/mobile) and Work Local (desktop). Work Cloud distinguishes itself from regular Chat through several exclusive capabilities: code execution with unrestricted internet access, a headless Chrome browser for web automation, persistent cross-session filesystems, ChatGPT Sites deployment via Cloudflare Workers, sub-agent orchestration, and scheduled prompt automations. Model selection differs too—Work offers Sol, Luna, and Terra at various reasoning levels, while Chat uses different naming conventions. The code execution environment is particularly powerful, allowing repository cloning, dependency installation, and API interactions that Chat blocks. Work also enables browser automation including form-filling, screenshot capture, and JavaScript execution against page DOMs. However, the feature set remains poorly documented by OpenAI, and the combination of private data access, untrusted content exposure, and agent communication capabilities raises security questions around prompt injection attacks. Understanding these distinctions matters for power users deciding between Chat and Work for complex, multi-step tasks.

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