Quick answer: OpenAI Dots are always-on AI agents inside ChatGPT that keep working on your goals in the background — powered by GPT-6 Astra, each with its own cloud computer and browser, connecting to 4,000+ apps. Your first Dot is included with ChatGPT Pro ($100+/month) or Business Premium. Here's the full breakdown.
ChatGPT answered questions. Dots do the work. Announced at OpenAI's DevDay on September 29, 2026, Dots mark OpenAI's biggest shift yet: from a chatbot you talk to, to an agent you delegate to — one that keeps going after you close the tab. Think of it as Codex, but for regular people instead of developers.hat are OpenAI Dots?
"Dots" is the product name; a "Dot" is one individual agent. Give it a goal and the permissions it needs, and it works toward that goal over time — across hours or days — using software and your connected information, then returns when it has something for you.
The core idea is ongoing responsibility. A normal ChatGPT conversation starts fresh every time and stops when you leave. A Dot holds a defined piece of work: "keep my invoices chased," "research competitors every Monday," "prepare the weekly report." It keeps making progress between conversations and brings finished work back for your approval.
Each Dot runs on GPT-6 Astra, OpenAI's current flagship model, and gets its own cloud computer and browser — a remote machine that runs the work rather than relying on your laptop. You can open your Dot's computer at any time and visually inspect what it's doing.
How Dots work
- You create a Dot in the ChatGPT desktop app or desktop browser (at chatgpt.com/dots), give it a name, and define its first objectives.
- You connect your apps. Through OpenAI's plugin ecosystem, a Dot can reach 4,000+ applications — calendars, docs, project trackers, inboxes — each with individual permissions you approve.
- You set the rules. Custom Rules define what the Dot may do on its own, what needs your confirmation, and what's off-limits entirely.
- It works in the background. The Dot juggles ongoing tasks, does read-only proactive research while you're away, and surfaces results in its Activity View.
- You talk to it anywhere. ChatGPT on desktop, web and mobile, plus Slack, Microsoft Teams, and voice calls. SMS support is on the way.
Key features
- Always-on background work: tasks continue across days, not just while you're chatting.
- Own cloud computer + browser: inspectable at any time — you can literally watch it work.
- 4,000+ app integrations: via OpenAI's plugin ecosystem, with per-app permissions.
- Proactive behavior: spots things needing attention (one early tester's Dot noticed an uninvoiced bill, prepared the invoice, and sent it after approval).
- Custom Rules: four-level control over what runs autonomously vs. what asks first.
- Memory: learns your preferences and standards from interaction and corrections.
- Multi-channel: Slack, Teams, voice calls — meet the agent where you already work.
- ChatGPT Space: a shared surface where humans, ChatGPT, Codex and Dots collaborate on the same documents.
OpenAI Dots pricing: what does it cost?
| Plan | Monthly cost | Dots access |
|---|---|---|
| Free / Plus | $0 / $20 | Not included |
| Pro | $100 – $500 | First Dot included |
| Business Premium | Per-seat pricing | First Dot included |
| Enterprise / Edu / Healthcare | Custom | Beta, admin must enable |
The headline: your first Dot comes at no extra cost on eligible Pro or Business Premium plans. Conversations with your Dot don't count toward your ChatGPT usage limits, and for the first month after launch, Dot usage doesn't draw on plan allowances either. But tasks your Dot kicks off inside Codex or ChatGPT Work do count as usual — an easy detail to miss.
Pricing for additional Dots and heavier workloads hasn't been published yet. OpenAI says you'll eventually be able to add more Dots and scale each one's speed and workload.
Who can use Dots? (Availability)
- Rolling out now to ChatGPT Pro and Business Premium users; rollout is gradual and "may take several days to reach your account."
- Region limits: Pro availability excludes the UK, the EEA and Switzerland (OpenAI points to strict regional regulation). Business Premium works in all supported ChatGPT regions.
- Age: not available under 18.
- Setup is desktop-only — ChatGPT desktop app or desktop browser. After setup, the mobile app works.
That UK exclusion stings for British readers: no Dots on Pro in the UK at launch. Worth knowing before you get excited.
Dots vs the rivals
OpenAI isn't alone in the always-on agent race:
| OpenAI Dots | Meta Muse | Grok Bot (xAI) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model | GPT-6 Astra | Muse Spark | Not announced |
| Price | Pro $100+/mo | Free tier available | Beta, plan-dependent |
| Runs on | Own cloud computer | Vendor cloud VM | Shared cloud computer |
| Channels | ChatGPT, Slack, Teams, voice | iOS, Android, WhatsApp | Desktop, iOS |
| Availability | Pro excl. UK/EEA/CH | US at launch | Beta |
The honest comparison: Dots are the most capable package (cloud computer, 4,000 apps, workspace controls) but also the most expensive and region-restricted. Meta's Muse is the accessible one — free to start. Dots are enterprise-grade agents; Muse is the consumer-friendly rival.
Who should get Dots — and who shouldn't
Dots make sense if you: run a business or freelance practice with recurring operational work (invoicing, reporting, research briefs); live in Slack/Teams and want the agent where you work; or already pay for Pro and want the flagship agent experience.
Skip for now if you: just want a smarter chatbot (that's regular ChatGPT); balk at $100+/month (fair — that's the biggest barrier); are in the UK on Pro (you're locked out anyway); or aren't comfortable granting an agent ongoing access to your apps yet.
Safety and limitations worth knowing
- Permissions are layered: read-only background research, opt-in local machine access (off by default), and mandatory human takeover for passwords and money transfers.
- Custom Rules can fail: OpenAI notes the Dot tries to follow rules but can make mistakes — review the Activity View.
- Memory: Dots build memories from ChatGPT and their own; resetting the Dot deletes it entirely — that's how you clear what it remembers.
- One Dot to start: additional Dots are "planned," not available.
- An always-on agent is a bigger trust decision than a chatbot — it acts across tools and continues after you've moved on. Set boundaries before you set tasks.
Frequently asked questions
What is an OpenAI Dot?
An always-on AI agent inside ChatGPT that takes on ongoing work — goals and responsibilities it pursues in the background using its own cloud computer, browser and your connected apps.
How much do OpenAI Dots cost?
Your first Dot is included with ChatGPT Pro ($100–$500/month) or Business Premium at no extra charge. Free and Plus plans don't include Dots. Pricing for extra Dots isn't published yet.
Are OpenAI Dots available in the UK?
Not on Pro — the UK, EEA and Switzerland are excluded at launch. Business Premium users in supported regions can access them.
How do I create a Dot?
Open the ChatGPT desktop app or desktop browser, go to chatgpt.com/dots, name your Dot, connect your apps and set Custom Rules. Setup is desktop-only; afterward you can message it from mobile, Slack or Teams.
What's the difference between Dots and ChatGPT?
ChatGPT answers when asked. A Dot holds ongoing responsibility — it keeps working between conversations, does proactive research, and returns with finished work for approval.
Are Dots better than Meta Muse?
Different trade-offs: Dots offer deeper capability (own cloud computer, 4,000+ apps, workspace controls) at $100+/month with region limits; Muse is free to start and more consumer-friendly. Pick by budget and needs, not hype.
Verdict
Dots are OpenAI's clearest statement yet that the chatbot era is ending and the agent era is here. The package — persistent background work, an inspectable cloud computer, 4,000 app integrations, genuinely thoughtful permission controls — is the most complete consumer agent product on the market.
The caveats are real: $100/month minimum, no UK Pro access at launch, one Dot per user, and the inherent trust leap of an agent that works while you're away. But directionally, this is where everything is going — and Dots are the reference implementation to watch.
Want the bigger picture? See our 10 best AI tools in 2026, tested and ranked — and if you have a favorite AI already, cast your vote in our live AI showdown.
Related reading: Google Flow: Google's AI Video Studio Explained · Contentstack Canoe: What AI Tells Buyers About You · Suno Speech Beta: AI Spoken Word + Music
Last updated: October 6, 2026. Dots pricing, regions and features are changing fast — we re-check the key facts regularly and update this guide when they move.
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