OpenAI has updated its Chrome extension so that ChatGPT can read the content of multiple open tabs and, in some cases, act upon them. This new feature is activated using the @chrome command and is available on all ChatGPT plans, as announced by the company on October 16, 2026.
The change comes at a time when major artificial intelligence developers are competing to integrate into daily browser tasks. With this update, ChatGPT is no longer just a chat where you copy and paste information: it becomes an assistant that can navigate between the tabs the user has open.
Two work modes: Chat and Work
The extension organizes functions into two distinct modes. Chat mode is designed for querying and extracting information from multiple tabs at once, without the need to summarize each page separately or copy content between windows.
Work mode, on the other hand, allows ChatGPT to execute actions directly on open tabs. According to OpenAI's announcement, this includes sending messages, filling out forms, downloading files, or grouping tabs.
GPT-6 Astra, the model behind the actions
Work features are powered by GPT-6 Astra, a model that OpenAI describes as the most advanced on the market in Computer Use, meaning the ability to handle a browser in a way similar to how a person would.
The company claims this model can resolve multi-step workflows, although the announcement does not include independent comparative tests to support that claim. The practical difference appears when a task requires chaining several actions in a row, such as completing a form, verifying data in another tab, and then downloading a document, as each additional step increases the margin for error.
Conversation history, now next to the open page
The update also modifies the extension's sidebar. The entire history of conversations with ChatGPT is now displayed in a side panel, next to the webpage the user is currently visiting.
This feature avoids having to switch windows to retrieve a previous query. If a user asked for a product comparison yesterday and continues browsing the same stores today, they can resume that conversation without leaving the page.
Examples of use: comparing, summarizing, and cross-referencing prices
OpenAI illustrates the tool's possibilities with several concrete examples. One of them involves comparing products open in different tabs based on size, material, shipping time, and return policies.
Another example shows how to summarize articles in simpler language, and a third allows for cross-referencing price pages from different sellers to facilitate a purchasing decision.
What changes for users and sellers
The update places ChatGPT within the space where much of daily internet work happens: the browser. Until now, the standard practice was to bring web content into the chat to analyze it. With this extension, it is the assistant that accesses open tabs directly.
This implies different decisions for users. Authorizing an artificial intelligence to fill out forms or send messages on someone's behalf is not the same as asking it for a simple summary. OpenAI's announcement does not detail what type of confirmations the system requests before executing an action, an aspect that should be reviewed when installing the tool.
The novelty also affects those who sell products or services online. If the assistant automatically compares size, material, shipping times, and return conditions between different pages, those stores that present this information in a clear and structured way will be easier for the tool to process.
Recommendations before using @chrome
Based on what is described in OpenAI's announcement, it is advisable to keep several points in mind before using the extension regularly.
The feature is available on all ChatGPT plans, so it is possible to try Chat mode without changing your subscription.
It is recommended to use the @chrome command only on the tabs you want to share, as the system reads only those indicated by the user. It is advisable to close tabs with sensitive personal or professional data beforehand.
In Work mode, it is important to review every action that involves sending information, downloading files, or filling out forms, as a submission with incorrect data can be difficult to correct later.
If you use the tool to compare prices or return conditions, you should always contrast the final result with the seller's official page before completing a purchase, as the table generated by the artificial intelligence summarizes what it has read, but the current offer is the one that appears in the store at that moment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is @chrome in ChatGPT?
It is a command in the ChatGPT for Chrome extension that allows you to point to open tabs so the assistant can read their content or act upon them.
Which ChatGPT plans is this feature available on?
According to OpenAI's announcement, the extension update works on all ChatGPT plans, without the need for a specific subscription.
What is the difference between Chat mode and Work mode?
Chat mode is used to query and extract information from multiple tabs at once. Work mode allows ChatGPT to execute actions such as filling out forms, sending messages, downloading files, or grouping tabs.
What model does ChatGPT use to control the browser?
Work mode actions are powered by GPT-6 Astra, a model that OpenAI presents as the most advanced in Computer Use, the ability to handle a browser in a way similar to how a person would.
Is it safe to let ChatGPT fill out forms or send messages?
OpenAI's announcement does not detail what confirmations the system asks for before executing an action, so it is recommended to review every submission, download, or form-filling action before confirming it.
Can ChatGPT compare prices between different online stores?
Yes, one of the examples shown by OpenAI involves cross-referencing price pages from different sellers, although it is recommended to verify the result on each store's official page before buying.
