ChatGPT Chat vs Work vs Codex: which should I use?

Use Chat when you want a reply, Work when you want a finished piece of work, and Codex when the job is code. One question sorts most tasks: is this a reply, a piece of work, or code?

What each one is for

OpenAI's help page describes Chat as fast, conversational help for everyday questions. Work is an agent for longer, multi-step tasks and finished deliverables. Codex is for software development and technical work.

Chat: ask a question, search, brainstorm, or get a quick explanation.
Work: research a topic, analyze information, or create a document, spreadsheet, presentation, report or Site.
Codex: write or debug code, run tests and commands, review changes, or work with a repository.

Some examples

"What does this clause in my lease mean?" is a reply. Use Chat.
"Turn these notes into a ten-slide deck" is a piece of work. Use Work.
"Fix the bug in this script and run the tests" is code. Use Codex.

A common pattern is to think an idea through in Chat, then move to Work once you know what you want at the end.

Where to find them

In the ChatGPT desktop app, choose ChatGPT or Codex from the top-left menu. In ChatGPT, use the toggle at the top of the page to pick Chat or Work. On mobile, choose Chat or Work from the dropdown at the top of the screen. Codex lives in the desktop app, and Codex Cloud lets you start and continue coding tasks from desktop, web or mobile.

What affects what you can see

Chat stays available whatever your plan or workspace settings. Work is available on eligible paid plans on the web and mobile, and in the desktop app when your plan and workspace include it. At a company, an admin can turn Work or Codex on or off for your role. If you don't see one of them, that is usually why.

Mind the usage

OpenAI's help page says Work follows the same usage structure as Codex, so longer Work tasks draw on that allowance. A quick question in Work uses more of it than it needs to. Keep quick questions in Chat.

What Codex isn't

Codex is the coding tool, not a smarter version of Chat. If your task doesn't involve code, you can leave it alone.

Sources

Checked against OpenAI's help pages on 17 October 2026: ChatGPT Work and Codex. ChatGPT changes often, so if your screen looks different, trust your screen.

Want the step-by-step version? Chat, Work or Codex? A Plain Guide to Choosing the Right ChatGPT Mode is a short PDF guide for $9.

ChatGPT is a trademark of OpenAI; not affiliated.