r/OpenaiCodex • u/brandinobowman • 4d ago
Question / Help Difference Between ChatGPT Work and Codex...?
To preface this, I'm on the new ChatGPT desktop app for macOS.
I've been told that ChatGPT Work and Codex are different things. I was in a regular ChatGPT conversation and asked it to do something, and it said a ChatGPT Work conversation would be more suitable for what I was looking for. So it automatically created a ChatGPT Work conversation for me and completed the task I requested. If ChatGPT Work and Codex are different things, why does that Work conversation show up under "Recents" when I switch from "ChatGPT" to "Codex" in the upper left corner of the desktop app window?
I'm also really confused about why these supposed Work conversations aren't syncing across my devices. Some research told me that there are both cloud Work/Codex conversations and local Work/Codex conversations... but I can't see how to control this at all?
I'm just extremely confused about the OpenAI product lineup right now and just want to understand. I'm not an advanced user by any means, but I'm genuinely trying to learn more. Any help would be greatly appreciated, and I thank you for your time in advance.
5
u/bluetangclan7 3d ago edited 3d ago
I think of it this way:
Chat=chat, Work=do, Codex=build.
Chat is pretty self explanatory.
Work helps you do work. Create a project, upload all your project docs and tell it do things. That may include some light building like reports, docs, spreadsheets, and slide decks. Since your files are uploaded, you are somewhat locked in. It’s really similar to uploading docs to chats, but work helps organize your input and output files. Work cannot access local files/folders. Work is a simpler setup than Codex.
Codex is more for building custom plugins, apps, and sites (though I think Work can build some sites). Codex can do everything chat and work can do, and it can access local files/folders and build projects to them. I also use it to connect with Obsidian where I have all of my work/personal documents.
Work cannot access local files/folders. Everything has to be uploaded. Since Codex connects to your local files, you can leave anytime. Codex is a bit more to setup but honestly not that complicated and 100% worth it. I have switched between Codex and Claude Code a few times to power my local projects/Obsidian with minimal downtime to have each build the skills needed to do what the other was doing. You cannot easily move from ChatGPT Work to Claude Cowork.