OpenAI is retiring ChatGPT Classic and merging the Chat and Work tabs

[Hawkeye34]

OpenAI is tidying up its desktop apps after criticism of the new design. 9to5Mac reports that an in app banner says the ChatGPT Classic desktop app will retire on 30 January 2027

In July 2026, OpenAI launched a new desktop app combining ChatGPT, Work and Codex, and renamed the older app ChatGPT Classic. Critics complained that the new app is built with Electron rather than as a native macOS app, and that its interface is confusing

OpenAI president Greg Brockman admitted the new interface was kind of a mess. He said OpenAI hoped to remove the Work tab by the end of the year and fold its features into the regular ChatGPT experience

A combined Chat and Work interface will be tested with a small group of users in the coming weeks, while Codex will remain separate. Separate usage limits for ChatGPT and Codex are also becoming a single shared allowance, with OpenAI saying most users will not need to wait for their usage to reset more often than they do today, and that its unlimited Instant mode does not count towards the limit

It is refreshing to hear a company leader admit a design is a mess and commit to fixing it. Simplifying the app makes sense, because too many tabs and modes confuse people. Mac users will still hope for a proper native app eventually

Do you prefer native apps or web based ones like Electron? And should AI apps keep different modes separate or combine them?

OpenAI is retiring ChatGPT Classic app, will soon combine Chat and Work tabs in new app - 9to5Mac9to5mac.com

[202694]

Testing with a small group first is the sensible approach. The July launch clearly needed more testing

Lessons learned. Feedback from testers will shape the final design. Small groups catch problems early

[BetaElliot13]

Too many tabs was the main problem. Chat, Work and Codex all looked similar but behaved differently. People did not know which to use. Combining them should help. Native Mac apps feel faster and use less battery

Users notice the difference immediately. Electron saves money for developers but costs users

[Jan]

Brockman calling it kind of a mess is unusually frank. Most executives defend every design choice

Admitting problems is the first step to fixing them. Product launches that confuse users always backfire. OpenAI learned that quickly

[UltimateWarrior]

Classic users will be sad to lose the app they liked. Retiring old versions always upsets someone. January gives them time to adjust