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quickstart.md 2026-07-16 20:57 UTC to 2026-07-17 22:57 UTC

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Quickstart

Where to use ChatGPT

Use ChatGPT across different surfaces, including the ChatGPT desktop app and ChatGPT on the web. Choose the option that fits your work.

If you're a developer and want to use Codex in your terminal or code editor, try Codex CLI or the Codex IDE extension.

Setup

{/* prettier-ignore */} <Tabs id="codex-quickstart-setup" param="setup" defaultTab="web" size="md" tabs={[ { id: "app", label: "Desktop" }, { id: "web", label: "Web" }, ]}

The ChatGPT desktop app is available for Windows and macOS. Use it for projects, local files, longer tasks, and quick chats. 1.

Install the ChatGPT desktop app

Choose the version for your operating system:

<CodexAppDownloadCta client:load className="mb-4" />

  1. Open the ChatGPT desktop app and sign in

    Open the app, then sign in with your ChatGPT account.

    You may also use Codex with an API key. Some features might not be available.

  2. Select where ChatGPT should work

    Start a chat, create a project, or open a folder. ChatGPT can read and modify files in the folder you choose. Learn more about chats and projects.

  3. Start a chat

        <div class="grid gap-5 md:grid-cols-[minmax(0,1fr)_minmax(17rem,20rem)] md:items-start">

  <div>

        - For research, analysis, or deliverables such as documents, presentations,
          spreadsheets, and Sites, select **ChatGPT**, then select **Work** from the mode
          toggle at the top of the new chat page, above the composer.
        - For software development with codebase context and developer tools, select
          **Codex** from the ChatGPT dropdown.
        - For a quick question or chat, select **ChatGPT**, then select **Chat**
          from the mode toggle at the top of the new chat page, above the composer. In
          Codex, point to **New chat**, then select the **Quick chat** icon on its right.

        Learn more about [using ChatGPT](https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/use-chatgpt).

      </div>

  <ChatGPTModeDropdown client:load />

  • Send your first message

    Describe your goal and add any files or context ChatGPT needs. Try an example:

    <CodexPromptComposer client:load id="first-message-example" promptOptions={[ { label: "Prepare a decision", prompt: "Review the reports and notes in this project, compare the options, and create a one-page decision memo with a recommendation, risks, open questions, and source links.", }, { label: "Analyze spreadsheets", prompt: "Combine the spreadsheets in this folder, clean inconsistent records, identify the most important trends, and create a concise report with charts and plain-English takeaways.", }, { label: "Improve this app", prompt: "Inspect this app, identify one high-impact usability improvement, implement it, update the relevant tests, and verify the result on mobile and desktop.", }, ]} className="!mt-3 !mb-10 w-full max-w-3xl min-w-0" />

    Explore more use cases.

    • ChatGPT is available on the web and includes Chat mode and Work mode. 1.

    Open ChatGPT and sign in

    Go to chatgpt.com and sign in with your ChatGPT account.

    1. Start a chat

          <div class="grid gap-5 md:grid-cols-[minmax(0,1fr)_minmax(17rem,20rem)] md:items-stretch">

  <div>

        - Select **Chat** to ask questions, explore ideas, and work through a topic
          conversationally.
        - Select **Work** to research, analyze information, and create documents,
          presentations, spreadsheets, Sites, or other finished work.

        Learn more about [using ChatGPT](https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/use-chatgpt).

      </div>

  <ChatWorkSegmentPicker client:load />

  • Select where ChatGPT should work

    Start a chat or select a project. Projects can include chats, files, and instructions.

  • Send your first message

    Describe your goal and add any files or context ChatGPT needs. Try an example:

    <CodexPromptComposer client:load id="web-first-message-example" destination="web" placeholder="Message ChatGPT" promptOptions={[ { label: "Make a decision", prompt: "Research whether I should [decision], compare the best options, explain the tradeoffs for my situation, and recommend one with citations.", }, { label: "Daily briefing", prompt: "Every weekday at 8:00 a.m., review my connected calendar and recent messages, then send me a briefing with today’s priorities, meeting prep, replies I owe, and blockers.", }, { label: "Plan an event", prompt: "Help me plan my event. Ask me about the occasion, guests, date, location, budget, and anything else you need. Then create a timeline, budget, invitation copy, and checklist, and publish a Site I can use to invite guests and collect RSVPs.", }, ]} className="!mt-3 !mb-10 w-full max-w-3xl min-w-0" />

    • ## Next steps [ Use the ChatGPT desktop app to work with your local projects. ](https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/app) [ Bring supported setup, projects, and recent work into ChatGPT. ](https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/import)