1# Computer History
2
3> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://learn.chatgpt.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to the page URL.
4
5Computer History is **off by default** for ChatGPT Pro, Business, and
6 Enterprise users in the ChatGPT desktop app on macOS. Pro users can choose to
7 turn it on. For Business and Enterprise workspaces, an administrator must
8 explicitly grant access before each member can choose to turn it on. Computer
9 History also requires [Memories](https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/customization/memories) and is not
10 available with an API key or Amazon Bedrock. Computer History is not currently
11 available in the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, or the United
12 Kingdom.
13
14Computer History turns your activity across apps and websites into memories and
15a timeline that ChatGPT and Codex can reference. You can ask natural questions
16about recent work, pick up where you left off, understand patterns in how you
17work, and turn repeated workflows into skills or automations.
18
19Your history starts only after you choose to turn it on. You control which apps
20and websites contribute, can see and pause collection from the macOS menu bar,
21and can inspect or delete your history at any time.
22
23Computer History replaces the earlier Chronicle research preview, but it is a
24rebuilt system rather than a rename. Chronicle used screenshots. Computer
25History records interaction events and does not capture your screen or audio.
26
27<Illustration description="Computer History timeline showing activity summaries, contributing apps, and suggested skills and automations">
28 <ComputerHistoryTimelineIllustration />
29</Illustration>
30
31## How Computer History helps
32
33Computer History supplies recent activity as context. When a file, Slack
34conversation, Google Doc, or another source is better for the task, ChatGPT and
35Codex can use the history to identify that source and then read it directly.
36
37<section class="feature-grid mt-4">
38
39
40
41
42### Pick up where you left off
43
44Ask what you were doing before a break without reconstructing every open app,
45document, and next step.
46
47
48
49
50<ComputerHistoryThreadDemo client:load scenario="resume" />
51
52</section>
53
54<section class="feature-grid inverse">
55
56
57
58
59### Find recent work
60
61Refer to a document, conversation, or task the way you remember it. Computer
62History can use the activity timeline to identify the source you mean.
63
64
65
66
67<ComputerHistoryThreadDemo client:load scenario="find" />
68
69</section>
70
71<section class="feature-grid">
72
73
74
75
76### Reuse workflows
77
78When Computer History notices repeatable work, a timeline entry can suggest a
79skill or automation. Review the suggestion, then ask Codex to create it from the
80recorded workflow.
81
82
83
84
85<ComputerHistoryThreadDemo client:load scenario="workflow" />
86
87</section>
88
89## How Computer History works
90
91Computer History creates an interaction-event stream from allowed apps and
92websites. Events can include clicks, typing, keyboard shortcuts, app switches,
93and context that macOS exposes through its accessibility system. Computer
94History periodically turns these events into text summaries and local memory
95files.
96
97Computer History does **not** capture screenshots, screen recordings,
98microphone input, or system audio. Private-mode web browsing activity is never
99included.
100
101In **Settings > Computer history > History**, the timeline groups summaries by
102day and time. Each item can show:
103
104- A title and text summary of the activity.
105- The apps that contributed to the summary.
106- A suggested skill or automation when ChatGPT identifies repeatable work.
107- Actions to reveal the memory file in Finder or delete the item.
108
109Select **Ask about your history** to start a chat with Computer History, or use
110prompts such as:
111
112- “What was I working on before my last break?”
113- “Where can I find the proposal document I was looking for earlier today?”
114- “Give me a list of tasks I’ve worked on today and their status.”
115- “Prepare a summary of what I did yesterday for standup.”
116
117## Permissions and access
118
119Computer History uses separate controls for workspace access, personal opt-in,
120memories, and the apps or websites included in your history:
121
122- **Workspace access:** Computer History is off by default in Business and
123 Enterprise workspaces and is unavailable until an administrator
124 explicitly grants access. Enterprise administrators can use **Enable Computer
125 History** in [**Workspace Settings > Permissions & roles**](https://chatgpt.com/admin/settings)
126 to grant access to the appropriate workspace roles.
127- **Personal opt-in:** Granting workspace access only lets a member choose to
128 turn on Computer History. It does not turn on the feature for anyone. Each
129 person must opt in individually, including ChatGPT Pro users.
130- **Memories:** Computer History also requires [Memories](https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/customization/memories).
131 Use `/memories` to control whether an individual chat can use local memories
132 or contribute to future memories.
133- **Apps and websites:** Your app and website permissions determine which
134 sources can contribute interaction events. You can allow only specific
135 sources or exclude apps and website URLs you do not want included.
136
137If your workspace role does not have access, changing local settings cannot
138enable Computer History.
139
140## Turn on Computer History
141
142Computer History is off by default. If you use a Business or Enterprise
143workspace, ask your administrator to grant you access before turning it on.
144Administrator approval does not opt you in.
145
1461. Open the ChatGPT desktop app on macOS.
1472. In Settings, under **Integrations**, select **Computer history**.
1483. Select **Turn on** and review the privacy, permissions, and local-storage
149 information.
1504. If prompted, turn on **Memories**. Computer History requires Memories so it
151 can use activity context across chats and tasks.
1525. Choose which apps and websites can contribute to your history, then follow
153 any macOS permission prompts.
154
155Computer History does not require Screen Recording permission. If the setting
156does not appear, confirm that your plan supports Computer History and that your
157workspace administrator has enabled it, if applicable.
158
159## Control what is included
160
161You control which apps and websites contribute to future history and whether
162Computer History is actively collecting interaction events.
163
164### Choose apps and websites
165
166Under **Settings > Computer history > Permissions**, choose which apps and
167websites Computer History can include:
168
169- **Exclude these apps** and **Exclude these websites** block the apps or URLs
170 you specify while allowing other supported sources.
171- **Include only these apps** and **Include only these websites** allow only the
172 sources you explicitly choose.
173
174You can also select an app icon in a history timeline item to exclude that app
175from future history. You can include it again later.
176
177Private-mode web browsing activity is never included. Changing app or website
178permissions affects future history. To remove existing items, delete or clear
179them.
180
181### Pause, resume, or stop collection
182
183Use the Computer History settings or macOS menu bar to control when the feature
184collects activity:
185
186- Select the ChatGPT icon in the macOS menu bar and expand the Computer History
187 menu to see what activity it captures and access its controls.
188- Select **Pause** to stop collecting new interaction events, or select
189 **Resume** when you are ready to start again.
190- Turn off Computer History to stop future activity collection.
191
192Computer History can include interaction events from communication apps and
193websites. Turn it off during communications with other people unless you have
194their prior express consent. Consider pausing it or excluding apps that contain
195sensitive health, financial, or personal information.
196
197## Review and clear history
198
199Open **Settings > Computer history > History** to inspect what Computer History
200has summarized. You can reveal a summary’s local memory file in Finder, delete
201an individual timeline item, or clear the last 10 minutes, last hour, last day,
202or all history. The macOS menu bar also lets you clear the last session for a
203recent app.
204
205Clearing history deletes the relevant interaction events and any memories
206created from them. This cannot be undone.
207
208## Privacy and local storage
209
210Computer History stores the interaction-event stream temporarily on your Mac so
211ChatGPT and Codex can generate memories and build suggested workflows. It does
212**not** capture screenshots, screen recordings, microphone input, or system
213audio.
214
215Temporary event files are retained for up to 48 hours. Generated memory files
216remain on your filesystem until you delete or clear them, and you can reveal
217those files from the History timeline.
218
219### Where does Computer History store my data?
220
221Computer History saves interaction events temporarily on your Mac. The event
222files are isolated within the ChatGPT
223[App Group](https://developer.apple.com/documentation/xcode/protecting-local-app-data-using-containers),
224which prevents other apps from accessing them without explicit permission.
225ChatGPT and Codex delete these event files after 48 hours.
226
227Computer History generates the same kind of local memories as Codex: plain-text
228Markdown files that you can read and modify. Those files are stored
229under `$CODEX_HOME/memories/extensions/skysight/`, which typically resolves to
230`~/.codex/memories/extensions/skysight/`.
231
232
233
234 <Alert
235 client:load
236 color="danger"
237 variant="soft"
238 description="Computer History files can contain sensitive information. They are not encrypted by Computer History, and other programs running as your macOS user may be able to access them. Protect your Mac account and exclude sources you do not want included."
239 />
240
241
242
243### What data gets shared with OpenAI?
244
245Computer History captures interaction events locally, then periodically starts
246an ephemeral Codex session with access to the interaction-event stream to
247summarize your activity into memories.
248
249OpenAI processes temporary event files on its servers to generate memories,
250which are then stored locally on your Mac. OpenAI does not retain those event
251files after processing unless required by law and does not use them for
252training.
253
254When ChatGPT or Codex uses a memory in a future chat, relevant memory contents
255and interaction events may be included as context. This chat content may be
256used to improve OpenAI models if allowed by your
257[ChatGPT data controls](https://help.openai.com/en/articles/7730893-data-controls-faq).
258Memories also follow the same
259[chat-level controls as other Codex memories](https://learn.chatgpt.com/docs/customization/memories#control-memories-per-chat).
260
261### Prompt injection risk
262
263Computer History increases the risk of prompt injection from content in apps
264and websites. For example, if you visit a website containing malicious
265instructions, ChatGPT or Codex might follow those instructions.
266
267## Token usage
268
269Computer History uses tokens while it summarizes activity and creates memories.
270
271## Troubleshooting
272
273If Computer History is available but does not start:
274
2751. Confirm that **Memories** is on.
2762. Open **Settings > Computer history** and select **Finish setup**, **Resume**,
277 or **Try again**, depending on the status shown.
2783. Quit and reopen the ChatGPT desktop app if the setting remains unavailable.
