OpenAI Launches Computer History for ChatGPT and Codex on Mac

OpenAI is rolling out Computer History in the ChatGPT desktop app for macOS. When a user opts in, ChatGPT and Codex can use context from recent work across allowed apps and websites to pick up where the user left off, identify repeated patterns, and suggest skills or scheduled tasks. (OpenAIDevs on X; Computer History documentation)

The feature is off by default. OpenAI says it is rolling out globally on Mac for Pro, Business, and Enterprise users, while access in the EEA, UK, and Switzerland will follow in the coming weeks. The documentation also says Computer History is not currently available in those regions. (OpenAIDevs on X; Computer History documentation)

Key Takeaways

• Computer History is a macOS desktop feature for ChatGPT and Codex.
• It is opt-in and off by default.
• The feature uses interaction events, not screenshots, screen recordings, microphone input, or system audio.
• Users choose which apps and websites can contribute and can pause, turn off, or clear history.
• Temporary event files are kept on the Mac for up to 48 hours, while generated local memory files remain until deleted or cleared.
• The feature is unavailable in the EEA, UK, and Switzerland for now.

What Computer History Does

Computer History creates a timeline and local memories from activity in the apps and websites a user permits. ChatGPT and Codex can use that context to answer questions about recent work, locate the source of a task, summarize a day, or recognize a repeated workflow that could become a skill or automation. (Computer History documentation)

OpenAI says the feature replaces the earlier Chronicle research preview but is a rebuilt system rather than simply a rename. Chronicle used screenshots; Computer History records interaction events instead. That means the feature is designed to provide useful context without capturing a continuous image of the screen. (Computer History documentation)

The event stream can include clicks, typing, keyboard shortcuts, app switches, and context that macOS exposes through its accessibility system. If ChatGPT or Codex needs a file, Slack conversation, Google Doc, or another source, the history can help identify it and the product can read that source directly when permitted. (Computer History documentation)

Availability and Setup

The documented platform is the ChatGPT desktop app on macOS. Pro users can choose to turn Computer History on, while Business and Enterprise workspaces need an administrator to grant access before each member can opt in. Administrator approval grants the choice; it does not opt a member in automatically. (Computer History documentation)

To enable it, open the ChatGPT desktop app on Mac, go to Settings, open Integrations, and select Computer history. Review the privacy and permissions information, turn it on, choose the apps and websites that can contribute, and follow any macOS permission prompts. Computer History requires Memories to be enabled. (Computer History documentation)

OpenAI's announcement says the feature is rolling out globally for Pro, Business, and Enterprise users on Mac, but the documentation lists it as unavailable in the EEA, UK, and Switzerland at the time of publication. It is also not available with an API key or Amazon Bedrock. (OpenAIDevs on X; Computer History documentation)

Privacy and Permission Controls

Computer History does not automatically mean every app or website contributes. Settings let users exclude specific apps, exclude specific websites, or use an include-only list for apps and websites. Changes affect future history; existing timeline items must be deleted or cleared separately. (Computer History documentation)

The feature can be paused or resumed from settings or the ChatGPT icon in the macOS menu bar. OpenAI recommends turning it off during communications with other people unless they have given express consent, and considering a pause or exclusion for apps containing sensitive health, financial, or personal information. (Computer History documentation)

Private-mode web browsing activity is never included. OpenAI also says Computer History does not capture screenshots, screen recordings, microphone input, or system audio. The feature does capture interaction events, so the relevant privacy boundary is the set of apps, websites, and actions allowed to contribute to that event stream. (Computer History documentation)

Retention, Local Memories, and Clearing History

OpenAI says the interaction-event stream is stored temporarily on the Mac while ChatGPT and Codex generate memories and suggested workflows. Temporary event files are kept for up to 48 hours, and OpenAI says it deletes those event files after processing. Generated memory files remain on the filesystem until the user deletes them or clears history. (Computer History documentation)

The History view lets users inspect timeline items and delete an individual item. It can also clear the last 10 minutes, last hour, last day, or all history. Clearing history deletes the related interaction events and memories and cannot be undone. (Computer History documentation)

OpenAI says temporary event files are processed on its servers to generate memories, are not retained after processing unless required by law, and are not used to train its models. The generated memories are stored locally on the Mac as readable and editable Markdown files. (Computer History documentation)

What to Consider Before Turning It On

Computer History can make recurring work easier to resume, but it also broadens the context available to ChatGPT and Codex. Start with a narrow include-only list, review the first timeline items, and use Pause during sensitive conversations or work. Keep in mind that OpenAI warns that content in apps and websites can contain prompt injection, and that using history can increase that risk. (Computer History documentation)

The feature also uses tokens when it summarizes activity and creates memories. Treat the timeline as an assistant for recall and workflow discovery, not as a complete or infallible record of everything done on the computer. (Computer History documentation)

Bottom Line

Computer History gives ChatGPT and Codex an opt-in, account-connected view of recent work on the Mac. It can turn permitted interaction events into a timeline, local memories, and suggested skills or automations, while giving users controls over included sources, pausing, and deletion. The practical trade-off is broader context in exchange for more careful permission management: start narrow, review what is collected, and use the pause and clear controls when the work is sensitive.

Sources

• OpenAI Developers on X, “Codex and ChatGPT can now understand the context of your recent work” (August 13, 2026): https://x.com/OpenAIDevs/status/2088000960891408677
• OpenAI Developers on X, rollout and plan details (August 13, 2026): https://x.com/OpenAIDevs/status/2088000972807405582
• ChatGPT Learn, “Computer History”: https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/customization/computer-history