Unofficial guide · checked against OpenAI's docs

ChatGPT dots, explained for beginners

Dots are OpenAI's always-on agents: each one gets its own cloud computer, works across your apps, and keeps going between chats. Here's how to get yours, set it up, and decide what it should do without asking.

Last verified Sep 30, 2026 Every fact links to OpenAI Not affiliated with OpenAI

New to dots? Start here

Four pages, in order. About fifteen minutes, and you'll know whether you can get a dot and how to set it up safely.

  1. What are dots?

    A dot is an always-on agent inside ChatGPT. It has its own cloud computer, works across apps you connect, and keeps making progress between conversations.

  2. Availability

    At launch, dots are for Pro (outside the EEA, Switzerland and the UK), Business Premium (all supported ChatGPT regions) and an Enterprise beta that an admin must turn on.

  3. Create your dot

    You can only create a dot in the ChatGPT desktop app (also on Windows) or ChatGPT on desktop web. Not on mobile, and mobile web is not supported.

  4. Custom rules

    Custom rules let you choose, per action, whether your dot should act without asking, act if pre-approved, ask first or hand off to you.

Set up and run your dot

Step-by-step guides built from OpenAI's help center, with the gaps and gotchas called out.

All guides →

How we keep this accurate

Dots launched on September 29, 2026 and the details are still moving. These are the rules we write by.

Our method →
01 · SOURCED

Every fact links to OpenAI

Each page lists the official pages it relies on. If OpenAI hasn't documented something, we say so rather than guess.

02 · DATED

Every page shows a verified date

We re-check pages against the help center and log official changes on the updates timeline.

03 · HONEST

Our take is labeled

Editorial advice sits in its own box. Nothing is marked as tested until we have run it on a real dot and dated it.

Something not working?

Work through the likely causes in order.

Choosing an agent?

Dots next to the other always-on agents, compared from each maker's own docs.

Latest official changes

What OpenAI has changed about dots, and which of our pages it affects.

Full timeline →

ChatGPT dots FAQ

What is ChatGPT dots?

Dots are always-on agents in ChatGPT, launched by OpenAI on September 29, 2026. Your dot has its own cloud computer, works across the apps you connect, remembers context, and keeps making progress between conversations, checking in with you on decisions that need your judgment.

Who can use ChatGPT dots right now?

Dots are rolling out gradually to Pro users outside the European Economic Area, Switzerland and the UK, and to Business Premium users in all supported ChatGPT regions. Enterprise workspaces can try a beta once an admin turns it on. You must be 18 or older.

Does ChatGPT dots cost extra?

Your first dot is included in Pro and Business Premium at no extra cost. For the next month, dots usage won't count toward eligible plan allowances; OpenAI says it will share usage terms for each plan after that.

Can I create a dot on my phone?

No. You create your dot in the ChatGPT desktop app (also available on Windows) or in ChatGPT on a desktop browser. After that, you can talk to it in the ChatGPT mobile app. Mobile web is not supported.

Is dots101 run by OpenAI?

No. dots101 is an independent guide and is not affiliated with or endorsed by OpenAI. Every product fact links to OpenAI's own documentation, and every page shows the date we last checked it.