How to use the ChatGPT Chrome extension: since October 15 it clicks, types and fills forms in your tabs
3 sources cross-checked
After its October 15, 2026 update, the ChatGPT extension for Chrome works in two modes: Chat reads and compares information across your open tabs, while Work operates the tabs directly to send messages, fill forms, download files and group tabs. Install it from the Chrome Web Store and call it with @chrome in a chat
The three lines
Modes — Chat reads tabs; Work clicks, types and submits for you
Setup — install from the Chrome Web Store, then @chrome in a chat
Caution — tell it to stop before submit or pay; banks are blocking outside agents
Key questions
How to use ChatGPT Chrome extension
**Install it, then mention @chrome.**
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Install the ChatGPT extension from the Chrome Web Store |
| 2 | Sign in; check Computer Use in settings |
| 3 | Mention @chrome in a chat |
| 4 | Choose Chat (read) or Work (act) |
ChatGPT Chrome Chat vs Work mode
**Chat reads; Work acts.**
| | Chat | Work |
|---|---|---|
| Does | Reads, compares, summarizes tabs | Sends, fills, downloads, groups |
| Risk | Low | Wrong submissions possible |
Is the ChatGPT Chrome extension free
**OpenAI says the extension works on all plans.** Whether Work-mode tab control is included on every plan is not specified.
ChatGPT can now operate your Chrome tabs. OpenAI's October 15, 2026 update to its Chrome extension adds a sidebar with your chat history next to the page, and lets ChatGPT act in tabs as well as read them.
OpenAI launched its own Atlas browser on October 21, 2025, shut it on July 9, 2026, and moved browsing into the ChatGPT Work agent. This update brings that capability into the browser most people already use.
1. Chat mode vs Work mode
Chat
Work
What it does
Reads across open tabs
Controls tabs via computer use
Tasks
Compare products, summarize articles, match prices
Send messages, fill forms, download files, group tabs
Risk
Low
Irreversible clicks possible
Example
"Which of these three tabs is cheapest?"
"Fill my company address and stop before submitting"
2. Setting it up
Step
Action
Tip
1
Install ChatGPT from the Chrome Web Store
Check it is OpenAI's official listing
2
Sign in to ChatGPT
Web or desktop app
3
Check Computer Use in settings
Names vary by version
4
Mention @chrome in a chat
Point at a specific tab
5
Pick Chat or Work
Scope Work tasks tightly
Good prompt
Risky prompt
"Table the nightly price and cancellation rules of these 3 hotels"
"Book the best hotel"
"Fill only the address fields and stop before submit"
"Apply for me"
3. Before you hand over the mouse
Precaution
Why
Ask it to stop before submit or pay
Agents can press buttons you can't undo
Avoid bank and brokerage sites
Schwab and JPMorgan block outside agents using browser automation
Beware hidden page instructions
Indirect prompt injection can steer the agent
Enter sensitive numbers yourself
IDs and card numbers stay with you
4. FAQ and open questions
Question
Answer
Is it free?
Extension: all plans. Work-mode scope by plan: unconfirmed
Other browsers?
This release covers Chrome
What happened to Atlas?
Discontinued July 9, 2026
Plan-by-plan limits and built-in confirmation steps are not documented publicly, so set your own stopping points.
