OpenAI launches Computer History, an opt-in feature that turns day-to-day computer activity on macOS into memories and a timeline that ChatGPT and Codex can use
The New StackFrederic Lardinois
Context & Ripple Effects
OpenAI has been extending ChatGPT’s memory from remembered conversations to work context: its 2024 memory test for ChatGPT and custom GPTs was followed by Chronicle’s screen-capture-based context for Codex on macOS. Computer History broadens that arc into an opt-in record of everyday activity shared by ChatGPT and Codex.
The move also follows ChatGPT Work’s cross-app and file context gathering on macOS and Windows. It matters because OpenAI is tying persistent context to both its general assistant and coding product, rather than treating memory as a chat-only feature.
First-order effects
macOS users who opt in can give ChatGPT and Codex a shared timeline of computer activity, reducing the need to restate recent work as separate prompts.
OpenAI makes Computer History a consent-gated layer of context for its assistant and coding workflows, rather than relying only on chat history or manual file selection.
Second-order effects
ChatGPT Work’s app-and-file context model now sits alongside an activity-history model on macOS, pushing OpenAI to make the boundaries among saved memory, chat history, files, and screen-derived context legible to users.
Codex gains access to the same broader activity record as ChatGPT, increasing the value of continuity between coding tasks and the work that precedes them elsewhere on a user’s computer.
Third-order effects
If OpenAI continues joining conversation memory, screen-derived context, and app activity, AI assistants will increasingly compete on an opt-in personal work corpus rather than on one-off prompt responses.
User controls become a core product boundary: the more assistants rely on persistent activity records, the more differentiation depends on what context can be collected, retained, and shared across tools.
The trend: AI assistants are evolving into workflow-native systems that build persistent, user-controlled context across conversations, files, screens, and everyday computer activity.
ChatGPT can now remember your activity across the apps and websites on your computer. With Computer History in the desktop app, future interactions feel more personalized and require less explanation. [video]
Frontier labs argue distillation threatens R&D and US national security. Open-weights proponents counter that diffusion is essential to competition and innovation. Both believe theirs is the only safe path. Luckily, the economics is loyal to neither. https://x.com/...
Computer History builds on the Chronicle research preview with reduced token usage and more privacy controls. A new timeline view gives you the ability to look back on your work and build skills from your frequent tasks. From there or the menu bar, you can: - Clear all or
To use Computer History, opt in under Settings → Integrations in the ChatGPT desktop app on Mac. Rolling out globally now to Pro, Business, and Enterprise users, with access in the EEA, UK, and Switzerland to follow in the coming weeks.
Codex and ChatGPT can now understand the context of your recent work. Opt into Computer History to give ChatGPT richer context, so it can pick up where you left off, understand patterns in your work, and suggest skills or scheduled tasks for work you repeat. [video]
A few reasons I love using Computer History: - Get a recap of your work patterns, writing style, favorite shortcuts etc. - Ask Codex what you worked on, where a document or thread went - Turn repeated work into a skill directly from recent timeline entries - Find product
Today we're releasing Computer History in ChatGPT. It lets ChatGPT learn from everything you do on your computer, so it can better understand how you work, finish tasks that you're in the middle of, and suggest skills and automations based on how you use your computer. [video]
computer history feels built for the moment when u accidentally have 37 tabs open, forget why, and need chat to tell you what you were actually trying to accomplish
Computer History is wildly good. The timeline view with the suggested skills has been great. It's also so much faster and more efficient making Voice mode even more natural.
Rolling out globally in the ChatGPT desktop app on Mac for Pro, Business, and Enterprise. Access in the EEA, the UK, and Switzerland will follow in the coming weeks. If you're on a Business or Enterprise team, your admin will need to turn it on first. https://learn.chatgpt.com/..…
this is so so useful! Computer History helps you pick up where you left off across apps and websites what was I working on before lunch? which doc was I looking at? where did I stop? what do I repeat enough to turn into a skill or automation? makes codex much more high agency
browser history is a thing of the past. introducing Computer History. forgot what you were doing 3 tabs ago? the @chatgpt desktop app remembers how you work, where you left off, and suggests relevant skills. go check it out. you might forget something important. codex won't.
This is the kind of surveillance “A.i.” pushers want to inflict on kids in school. — We need an A.I. moratorium for NYC public schools NOW, @mayor.nyc.gov @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social. None of this tech is safe for kids or protects their privacy. [embedded post]