OpenAI has enhanced its ChatGPT Chrome extension, granting the artificial intelligence the ability to access and interact with a user's open browser tabs. Announced on October 15, 2026, this upgrade allows ChatGPT to read information across multiple tabs to provide more contextually relevant answers in its Chat mode. In a new Work mode, the AI can also perform actions on websites, such as filling out forms, sending messages, and organizing tabs.
The updated extension integrates deeper into the Chrome browser, enabling ChatGPT to act as a more active assistant. Users can now ask the AI to compare products from different shopping tabs, explain articles, or analyze pricing pages without manually copying and pasting information. The Work mode expands these capabilities to automate tasks. For instance, ChatGPT can be instructed to fill out registration forms, draft emails based on information from open tabs, or compile vendor details into a comparison sheet.
This development follows OpenAI's retirement of its Atlas browser, shifting its browser agent capabilities into extensions. The updated extension is compatible with other Chromium-based browsers, including Microsoft Edge, Brave, and Opera. OpenAI has stated that the features are available to all ChatGPT subscription tiers, including free users.
The extension operates with user-granted permissions. By default, ChatGPT requests authorization before interacting with each new website. Users can opt to allow access once, for a specific site, or for all sites. Accessing browser history requires separate permission. The sidebar interface has also been updated to display full conversation history, allowing users to switch between Chat and Work modes without leaving their current webpage.
This move positions ChatGPT to compete more directly with other AI assistants that offer similar browser integration, such as Google's Gemini. The extension, which has approximately 7 million users according to its Chrome Web Store listing, was updated to version 1.26.1005.11759 on October 15.