OpenAI announced expanded ChatGPT access to browser tabs on October 15, 2026: its desktop extension can use a tab you mention as task context and, with permission, interact with that website. The practical choice is whether to connect ChatGPT to an existing browser profile or use the built-in browser, which keeps a separate browser state. OpenAI’s browser-extension guide explains the setup and permissions.
What the extension does with open tabs
The extension connects ChatGPT in the desktop app to a selected browser profile. Mention an open tab in a ChatGPT Work or Codex chat to give the task that page as context. When a task involves interacting with a new website, ChatGPT asks for permission by default.
OpenAI’s announcement was reported on October 15 by The Verge. The Verge described a demonstration in which ChatGPT compared three open tabs featuring sofas. It also described example tasks such as filling out a form and stopping before submission, or gathering vendor information from tabs into a comparison sheet.
The AI Advantage’s walkthrough covers connecting Chrome to ChatGPT and analyzing multiple open tabs.
Set up the extension
OpenAI’s documented setup starts in the ChatGPT desktop app:
- Go to Settings > Computer Use and select your browser.
- Install the extension, then confirm that the browser shows Manage.
- In a ChatGPT Work or Codex chat, use an
@mention to select the browser for your task.
If the connection does not work, OpenAI’s troubleshooting guidance includes checking that you selected the right browser profile, that the extension is installed and enabled, and that the desktop app is up to date. It also suggests restarting or reinstalling when needed.
Which browsers support tab access?
OpenAI lists these five browsers for tab mentions and browser control from the desktop app. Side chat is supported in four; Opera is the exception.
| Browser | Tab mentions and browser control | Side chat |
| Google Chrome | Yes | Yes |
| Microsoft Edge | Yes | Yes |
| Brave | Yes | Yes |
| Opera | Yes | No |
| Vivaldi | Yes | Yes |
That distinction matters if you want ChatGPT beside your tabs: Opera supports tab mentions and browser control, but not side chat.
Choose permissions site by site
By default, ChatGPT asks before interacting with each new website. You can Allow once, Allow for this site, Allow for all sites, or Decline. OpenAI labels all-sites permission and browser-history access as elevated-risk options. History access is limited to a request and cannot be set to always allow.
Chrome’s installation prompt may include permissions for website data and browsing history on signed-in devices, as well as bookmarks, downloads, notifications, tab groups, the debugger, and communication with cooperating native applications. Review the prompt before installing, then choose the site permissions that fit the task. OpenAI also cautions that page content can be misleading or malicious and recommends reviewing a site before allowing ChatGPT to act on it.
OpenAI says browser activity is stored when it becomes part of ChatGPT context, such as page text, screenshots, tool calls, summaries, or messages. The company says it does not keep a separate complete record of extension browser actions. Computer Use follows your Memories setting.
Choose the extension for an existing browser session
Use the extension when a task depends on an existing browser profile, such as a site where you are already signed in. ChatGPT’s built-in desktop browser uses its own browser state; it does not automatically share regular Chrome tabs, cookies, or sessions. OpenAI describes the built-in browser for tasks that should stay inside ChatGPT, including browsing public pages or working with local development.
In short, the extension brings selected context from your regular browser into a ChatGPT task, while the built-in browser keeps browsing in its own state. That profile difference is the key choice when a task depends on an existing sign-in. OpenAI’s guide to the built-in browser describes its separate browser state.
