OpenAI to merge ChatGPT Chat and Work, sharing limits with Codex

What changes for users

Until now, Work and Codex shared one allowance, while the models in standard chat had their own limits. That gave users some room: when ChatGPT suggested continuing a task in Work, they could decline and stay in Chat without touching the shared quota. Under the new scheme that trick loses much of its value, because operations using models covered by the new allowance will count against it even if the user stays in Chat.

Not every request will weigh the same. OpenAI says the most advanced models and complex operations typically consume more of the allowance. The company talks in terms of tokens, but has not yet explained what the system means in practical capacity for each plan, or how much specific tasks will use. When the quota runs out, users can wait for the reset, switch plan or buy credits for compatible features.

Unlimited, with caveats

OpenAI stresses that subscribers' plans include Instant without consuming the new allowance. Its own documentation, however, sets safeguards against abuse and keeps specific limits on certain features, with no public general threshold. Instant also does not necessarily match the advanced reasoning models or autonomous work tools, a gap that matters for professional users.

The company expects most users will not wait longer for their allowance to reset, but it has not explained how it reached that conclusion or published figures to compare current and future conditions. On 29 October it raised Work and Codex quotas for certain Pro and Business Premium plans, with no equivalent boost for Plus.

The shift comes as costs climb: in May, OpenAI president Greg Brockman said the company expected to spend $50 billion on compute in 2026, according to Reuters. That figure does not show the new limits are a direct response to spending.

Subscribers will be able to check their remaining allowance and reset date under Settings → Usage. How much advanced work each plan permits compared with today will only become clear once the new rules are live.