On 29 September 2026, OpenAI announced Dots at DevDay — persistent AI agents inside ChatGPT that keep working on your goals between conversations. A Dot isn't a longer chat session: each one gets its own cloud computer and browser, runs on GPT-6 Astra, connects to 4,000+ apps via plugins, and can research, draft, code, and report back while you're away. You reach the same Dot through ChatGPT on desktop and mobile, through Slack and Microsoft Teams, or even by voice call.
The catch: Dots aren't available to everyone, they can't be created on a phone, and plenty of people on eligible plans still can't see them. This guide covers what Dots actually are, who qualifies, the exact setup steps, how the safety controls work, and what to do if Dots are missing from your account.
What Are OpenAI Dots?
An OpenAI Dot is a persistent personal AI agent inside ChatGPT. The difference from ordinary ChatGPT is persistence plus its own machine. Instead of asking ChatGPT to "analyse this month's customer feedback" and getting one answer, you give a Dot ongoing responsibility for the job: it checks connected apps in the background, tracks how the data changes, and reports back with progress.
Each Dot has its own cloud computer, browser, and memory. You give it a goal, connect the apps it needs, set the boundaries in what OpenAI calls Custom Rules, and it keeps making progress between conversations. It can contact you with updates, ask questions when unsure, and hand back decisions needing human judgement. You can open its cloud computer at any time to see what it's doing, and in the desktop app an Activity View shows the steps it has delegated.
Practical examples from OpenAI: keeping a sales proposal updated as requirements change, investigating a newly reported bug when it appears, preparing content as new source material arrives.
Who Can Get OpenAI Dots (and What Do They Cost)?
Dots are still rolling out and limited to paid tiers. Eligibility as of October 2026:
- ChatGPT Pro 100 / 200 / 500 ($100 / $200 / $500 per month) — adults only, excluding the EEA, Switzerland, and the UK. Your first Dot is included at no extra cost.
- ChatGPT Business Premium ($100 per user per month billed annually, or $125 monthly) — all supported regions.
- Enterprise, Edu, and Healthcare — Dots are in beta and off by default; a workspace admin must enable them.
- Free, Go ($8), and Plus ($20) plans — not included. OpenAI says it plans to expand access later, with no date.
Talking to your Dot doesn't count against ChatGPT message limits, but the work it starts does: tasks it hands to ChatGPT Work or Codex count as usual. OpenAI has said users will eventually be able to add more Dots or capacity, but pricing hasn't been published.
Rollout is gradual — Dots "may take several days to reach your account" even on an eligible plan. If you qualify and still can't see them, wait a few days before assuming something is broken.
How to Set Up Your First OpenAI Dot (Step by Step)
Dots are created on desktop only — you can't create one on a phone or mobile web. Once it exists, you can message it from the ChatGPT mobile app.
- Open the Dots section on desktop. Use the ChatGPT desktop app for macOS or Windows, or go to chatgpt.com/dots in a desktop browser, signed in to an eligible account.
- Create your Dot and name it. The name becomes its handle, in the form @yourname-name (e.g. name it "Alfred" → @yourname-alfred). You'll use this handle to mention it in Slack, Teams, and ChatGPT.
- Connect your apps in the Plugins tab. Link the apps your Dot needs — email, calendar, docs, project tools. Permissions are shared across ChatGPT, Work, and Codex, so review each connection before approving.
- Set your Custom Rules. The most important step: for each Dot you decide what it can do on its own, what needs pre-approval, what it must always ask about first, and what's off-limits. Read the safety section below before skimming this.
- Leave local-computer access off unless you need it. Dots can access your own computer, but this is off by default. Only enable it for a specific reason, then turn it back off.
- Give it its first job. Start with something bounded and reviewable — "watch this shared document and tell me when the client comments," or "summarise new project emails every morning." Track progress in the Dot's profile: In progress, Scheduled, Completed lists.
After setup, reach your Dot anywhere: message it in ChatGPT (desktop or mobile), tag its handle in Slack or Teams, or call it by voice. Texting support is currently limited to a small Pro beta in the US.
Set Custom Rules Before You Connect Everything
A Dot's background research is read-only by default — it can't send messages or change anything in your apps while idly watching. Anything with outside effects goes through rules you define:
- Take action — the Dot acts on its own.
- Act if pre-approved — it acts only on pre-approved items.
- Ask first — it must check with you every time.
- Hand off — it stops and gives the step back to you.
OpenAI also hard-codes two guardrails: password changes and money movement always stay human, and a separate Auto-review system examines planned actions before they run. On prompt injection, OpenAI reports no scored successes in 16,600 generated attack emails — but scope problems grow as task chains get longer. Practical takeaway: start conservative (Ask first on anything consequential) and review consequential work, especially early on.
Why Don't I See Dots in My ChatGPT Account?
The most common Dots problem right now — the fix depends on which applies:
- You're on Free, Go ($8), or Plus ($20). Dots aren't included on these plans at launch. No setting will surface them.
- You're in the EEA, UK, or Switzerland on a Pro plan. Dots are excluded for Pro users in these regions. Business Premium users in all supported regions are eligible.
- Your account is eligible but the rollout hasn't reached you. OpenAI confirms this can take several days. Check back periodically; nothing to fix on your end.
- You're on mobile. Dots can't be created from the mobile app or mobile web. Use a desktop browser or the desktop app.
- Your Enterprise/Edu/Healthcare workspace hasn't enabled it. Off by default — ask your workspace admin to enable the beta.
- You're under 18. Dots require an adult account.
FAQ
What is OpenAI Dots?
Always-on AI agents in ChatGPT, announced at DevDay on 29 September 2026. Each Dot runs on GPT-6 Astra with its own cloud computer and browser, connects to 4,000+ apps, and keeps working toward your goals between conversations — reporting back through ChatGPT, voice, Slack, or Microsoft Teams.
Which ChatGPT plans include Dots?
Pro 100/200/500 (adults, excluding the EEA, Switzerland, and the UK), Business Premium (all supported regions), and Enterprise/Edu/Healthcare where an admin enables the beta. Free, Go, and Plus don't include Dots at launch.
How much do OpenAI Dots cost?
Your first Dot is included with an eligible plan. Pro costs $100, $200, or $500/month; Business Premium is $100 per user/month billed annually ($125 monthly). Pricing for additional Dots hasn't been published.
Can I create a Dot on my phone?
No. Creation requires the ChatGPT desktop app (macOS/Windows) or desktop web. After creation you can message your Dot from the mobile app.
Is Dots available in Europe and the UK?
Not for Pro users — excluded in the EEA, Switzerland, and the UK at launch. Business Premium users in all supported regions are eligible.
Is ChatGPT Agent the same as OpenAI Dots?
No. The old Agent mode is discontinued; Dots are persistent assistants that can start Work and Codex tasks and keep working on ongoing goals between conversations.
Originally published on The Glitch Fixer — OpenAI Dots: How to Set Up & Use ChatGPT's AI Agent (2026)
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