Codex users doubled to about 10 million within days of being folded into the ChatGPT desktop app, even as OpenAI acknowledged the new interface has frustrated users.
Greg Brockman said the clutter stems from merging ChatGPT with Codex and adding the new Work mode, after OpenAI abandoned an initial goal of launching with zero tabs.
OpenAI chose an incremental rollout to collect feedback before simplifying the app, with Brockman saying the separate Work tab should disappear by the end of 2026.
The company argues the bumpy redesign still advances its broader strategy of exposing more users to AI agents and more complex automated tasks.