Introduction
OpenAI has added a new Computer History feature to the ChatGPT desktop app on macOS, giving ChatGPT and Codex a way to understand more of a user’s recent computer activity.
Instead of relying only on what you manually paste into a chat, Computer History can turn activity from selected apps and websites into memories and a timeline. That context can then help ChatGPT or Codex identify what you were working on, find recent material, and continue tasks without requiring you to explain everything again.
The original AIBase report describes the feature as another step toward an AI assistant that understands a user’s ongoing work rather than responding only to isolated prompts.
Computer History Turns Work Activity Into a Timeline
Computer History is an opt-in feature in the ChatGPT desktop app for macOS.
Once enabled, it can collect interaction events from apps and websites that the user allows. OpenAI says these events can include actions such as:
- Clicks
- Typing
- Keyboard shortcuts
- Switching between apps
- Text and other context exposed through macOS accessibility features
The system periodically converts those events into text summaries and local memory files.
Those summaries appear in a timeline organized by day and time. ChatGPT and Codex can then use the timeline as context when you ask about recent work.
For example, OpenAI suggests queries such as asking what you were working on before a break, where to find a document you viewed earlier, what tasks you worked on during the day, or what should be included in a stand-up update.
The original AIBase article also highlights examples such as locating a recently edited document, checking whether a file was shared through Slack, and summarizing activity from earlier in the day.
The goal is to reduce the need to reconstruct recent context manually.
ChatGPT and Codex Can Use the Same Recent-Work Context
Computer History is designed to support both ChatGPT and Codex.
When the activity timeline indicates that a particular file, Slack conversation, Google Doc, or another source is relevant, ChatGPT or Codex can use that history to identify what you mean and then work with the original source when access is available.
This is particularly useful for vague references that are natural to humans but normally difficult for an AI assistant.
Instead of remembering an exact filename, you might ask about “the proposal I was editing earlier” or “the Slack thread I was reviewing this morning.”
Computer History gives the assistant an additional layer of recent context that can help connect those descriptions to actual work.
OpenAI also says repeated workflows can lead to suggested skills or automations. If the system recognizes a repeatable pattern, a timeline item may suggest turning that workflow into something reusable.
That moves the feature beyond simple activity recall. The long-term idea is that recent work history can become a source of context for automation.
It Does Not Record Screenshots, Video, or Audio
One of the most important details is how Computer History differs from screenshot-based activity-recording systems.
OpenAI says Computer History does not include screenshots in the history and does not record microphone input or system audio.
It also does not require macOS Screen Recording permission.
Instead, the system creates an interaction-event stream from allowed apps and websites and combines those events with text and other context available through macOS accessibility APIs.
Private browsing activity is excluded.
OpenAI’s documentation specifically states that activity from private-mode web browsing is never included in Computer History.
This makes the mechanism materially different from a system that continuously captures images of the screen.
Computer History Is Off by Default
Computer History does not begin collecting activity automatically.
The feature is off by default and requires an explicit user opt-in.
Users can decide which apps and websites are allowed to contribute to the history. OpenAI provides both inclusion and exclusion controls, so users can either block specific sources or allow only a chosen set.
Collection can also be paused or resumed from the Computer History settings or the macOS menu bar.
Existing timeline items can be inspected and deleted individually, and users can clear recent activity or remove all stored history.
For Business and Enterprise workspaces, administrators must first enable access before an individual member can choose to turn the feature on. Admin approval alone does not activate Computer History for the user.
Computer History also requires ChatGPT Memories to be enabled.
Local Storage and Privacy Controls Matter
The feature expands the amount of personal work context that an AI system can potentially use, so privacy controls are central to how it is designed.
OpenAI says the raw interaction-event stream is stored temporarily on the Mac. Temporary event files are retained for up to 48 hours.
The generated memories are stored locally as plain-text Markdown files and remain on the filesystem until the user deletes or clears them.
OpenAI notes that these memory files can contain sensitive information and are not encrypted by Computer History itself. Other programs running under the same macOS user account may therefore be able to access them.
The company recommends excluding applications and websites that contain sensitive personal, financial, or health information when appropriate.
OpenAI also warns users to turn Computer History off during communications involving other people unless they have received prior express consent.
What Gets Sent to OpenAI?
According to OpenAI’s documentation, interaction events are captured locally and periodically processed through an ephemeral Codex session to produce memory summaries.
OpenAI processes the temporary event data on its servers to generate those memories but says it does not retain the event files after processing unless legally required, and the temporary event files themselves are not used for model training.
When a generated memory is later used inside a normal ChatGPT or Codex conversation, however, that conversation follows the user’s normal ChatGPT data-control settings.
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This distinction is important because “Computer History data” is not one single storage layer. Temporary activity events, locally stored memories, and future chat context have different handling rules.
Computer History Replaces the Earlier Chronicle Preview
Computer History also represents an evolution of OpenAI’s earlier Chronicle research preview.
Chronicle previously experimented with giving Codex memory of recent screen context.
OpenAI now says Computer History replaces Chronicle, but describes it as a rebuilt system rather than simply a renamed version.
The new system is based on interaction events instead of screenshots.
That change keeps the same broad objective—helping the assistant understand what you were recently doing—while shifting the data-collection mechanism and expanding the feature into a more explicit activity timeline.
Availability Is Currently Limited
As of August 2026, Computer History is available in the ChatGPT desktop app on macOS for:
| Plan | Computer History |
|---|---|
| ChatGPT Pro | Available |
| ChatGPT Business | Available if the workspace admin enables access |
| ChatGPT Enterprise | Available if the workspace admin enables access |
| ChatGPT Plus | Not currently listed as supported |
| Free / Go | Not currently listed as supported |
Initial availability excludes:
- European Economic Area (EEA)
- United Kingdom
- Switzerland
The feature is also not available through an API key or Amazon Bedrock.
Because rollout conditions can change, users should check OpenAI’s current Computer History documentation before relying on plan or regional availability.
From Passive Chatbot to Persistent Work Context
The broader significance of Computer History is not simply that ChatGPT can keep a list of recent activities.
The feature expands the context ChatGPT and Codex can use when helping with ongoing work.
Traditional chat interactions are largely reactive: the assistant knows what the user explicitly tells it in the current conversation, plus any memories or connected data that are available.
Computer History adds another layer by letting the assistant understand selected recent computer activity.
That can make requests more natural because users do not have to remember every filename, application, or previous step.
It also creates the possibility of more proactive assistance. If an AI can recognize recurring workflows or unfinished tasks from recent activity, it can suggest automations or help resume work that was interrupted.
At the same time, this kind of feature makes data boundaries more important.
The more an assistant understands about day-to-day work, the more carefully users need to choose which applications contribute, what information should be excluded, and when collection should be paused.
The value of persistent context and the need for explicit privacy controls are growing together.
常见问题
What is ChatGPT Computer History?
Computer History is an opt-in feature in the ChatGPT desktop app on macOS. It turns activity from selected apps and websites into memories and a timeline that ChatGPT and Codex can reference.
Does Computer History take screenshots of my Mac?
No. OpenAI says Computer History does not include screenshots, screen recordings, microphone input, or system audio. It uses interaction events and context exposed through macOS accessibility features instead.
Can I choose which apps Computer History records?
Yes. Users can include or exclude specific apps and websites and can pause collection at any time. Changing permissions affects future collection, while existing timeline items can be reviewed or deleted separately.
Does Computer History include private or incognito browsing?
No. OpenAI states that private-mode web browsing activity is never included in Computer History.
Where is Computer History data stored?
Temporary interaction-event files are stored on the Mac for up to 48 hours. Generated memory files are stored locally as Markdown files until the user deletes or clears them.
Which ChatGPT plans support Computer History?
OpenAI currently lists Computer History for ChatGPT Pro, Business, and Enterprise users on macOS. Business and Enterprise administrators must enable workspace access before individual members can opt in.
Can ChatGPT use Computer History to suggest automations?
Yes. OpenAI says timeline items can suggest reusable skills or automations when Computer History identifies a repeated workflow. The user reviews the suggestion before deciding whether to create anything from it.
Is Computer History the same as Chronicle?
No. Computer History replaces the earlier Chronicle research preview, but OpenAI describes it as a rebuilt system. Chronicle used screen-context research, while Computer History uses interaction events rather than screenshots.
相关工具
- ChatGPT Desktop App: OpenAI’s desktop workspace for Chat, Work, Codex, files, projects, and supported computer features.
- Computer History: OpenAI’s official documentation for the macOS activity timeline and memory feature.
- ChatGPT Memories: The memory system required for Computer History to provide activity context across chats and tasks.
- Codex: OpenAI’s software-development agent, which can also use Computer History context.
Related Links
- Computer History Documentation: Official setup, privacy, storage, permissions, and troubleshooting information.
- ChatGPT Release Notes: OpenAI’s official release notes confirming the Computer History rollout.
- ChatGPT & Codex Changelog: The August 2026 changelog entry for Computer History and current availability.
- ChatGPT Desktop App: Official desktop-app overview and installation guidance.
- Memories: OpenAI’s documentation for persistent memories used by ChatGPT and Codex.
- Use Your Computer With ChatGPT: Official guidance for ChatGPT’s separate Computer Use capability on desktop.
- Work With Apps on macOS: OpenAI documentation for using app context directly in ChatGPT on macOS.
Summary
Computer History gives ChatGPT and Codex a new way to understand recent work on a Mac. It converts activity from selected apps and websites into a timeline and memories, making it easier to find recent work, resume interrupted tasks, and identify repeatable workflows.
The feature is deliberately opt-in. It does not use screenshots or audio, private browsing is excluded, and users can choose contributing sources, pause collection, inspect the timeline, and delete stored history.
Its usefulness and its privacy implications come from the same capability: ChatGPT can now retain more context about what a user has actually been doing on their computer.
Computer History moves ChatGPT closer to a persistent work assistant, but the value of that context depends on users keeping clear control over what the system is allowed to remember.
