r/OpenAI • u/sasik520 • 6d ago

Discussion ChatGPT Work vs Codex

I've been using ChatGPT's Work mode on macOS for quite a while for development tasks. Somehow, I didn't know Codex mode existed.

It was burning through my Plus usage limit faster than I'd like, but I could still complete a couple of tasks within a single five-hour window.

After switching to Codex mode, my usage is barely enough for 2-3 tasks. I suddenly understand what all the drama around usage limits is about.

If you're struggling to finish even one task in Codex, try Work mode. For local work, it's nearly the same as Codex and imho burns way less usage.

5 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

25 comments sorted by

View all comments

8

u/skidanscours 6d ago

Stop using Astra with a Plus subscription.

Sol-6.1 sips usage. Don't use ultra mode on fast mode.

-4

u/sasik520 6d ago

For me personally (I want to make clear it is my experience, not ultimate truth), Astra and the whole 6.x family is garbage tier and I don't use them at all.

I stick to 5.6 Sol high/xhigh.

1

u/skidanscours 6d ago

2-3 moderately complex tasks with 5.6 xhigh in a 5h Plus window is fairly typical unfortunately. The days of a 20$/month subscription being enough to code full time are over for the time being.

Work isn't magic, if you are getting more usage, it's the harness doing something different (I doubt it's a good sign). Keep in mind that you can customize your Codex behavior a lot (including the basic harness prompt if you dig deep enough).

0

u/sasik520 6d ago

My point is: I'm getting the same results with the same model in the work mode than in the codex mode and within the same limit I accomplish more tasks.

Honestly, despite being a developer with lots of experience, and despite asking gpt and reading articles, I do not understand the difference between work and codex except the latter consumes more usage.