Quick answer
OpenAI announced two desktop-browser updates on August 31, 2026. ChatGPT Work and Codex can now discover and use tools exposed by supported websites through WebMCP in the ChatGPT desktop app's built-in browser. Separately, the ChatGPT browser extension now supports Chrome, Edge, Brave, Opera, and Vivaldi. Site tools use the built-in browser's separate session, while the extension can work with tabs and signed-in sessions in a user's regular browser. Availability still depends on the account, selected model, rollout, workspace settings, and website.
ChatGPT now has two distinct ways to work with websites
The August 31 release adds site tools to the ChatGPT desktop app's built-in browser and expands the separate browser extension beyond Chrome. Both can help ChatGPT Work or Codex complete browser tasks, but they use different browser sessions and capabilities. Site tools rely on structured tools supplied by a supported webpage, while the extension lets ChatGPT use open tabs and browser control in a regular browser profile.
Sources: OpenAI Help Center, OpenAI Help Center, OpenAI
Site tools use WebMCP inside ChatGPT's built-in browser
A supported website can expose tools that ChatGPT uses to search information, edit content, explore an interactive page, or make a permitted update. OpenAI says the feature uses WebMCP, a proposed web standard for making website tools available to AI agents. When tools are available, an arrow appears in the built-in browser's address bar so the user can inspect what the page provides and review recently used tools.
Sources: OpenAI Help Center
A website, account, and selected model must all support site tools
Site tools are not available on every page. The website must provide a relevant tool, and the user's account and selected model must support the feature. Tools from embedded content are not currently supported, and a tool remains tied to the page that provides it. No separate connection is required, but the feature works only in the ChatGPT desktop app's built-in browser and can be disabled under Browser settings and Permissions.
Sources: OpenAI Help Center
The extension now supports Chrome, Edge, Brave, Opera, and Vivaldi
OpenAI's browser extension documentation now lists five supported browsers. All five can provide tab mentions and browser control from the desktop app. Chrome, Edge, Brave, and Vivaldi also support a side-chat panel. Opera supports tab mentions and desktop-app browser tasks but does not support side chat. Users may need to update the ChatGPT desktop app, and access can vary with rollout and workspace settings.
Sources: OpenAI Help Center, OpenAI
Choose the built-in browser for isolation and the extension for an existing session
The built-in browser keeps its own browser state, so a user who is signed in to a website in Chrome may need to sign in again inside ChatGPT. That separation can be useful for keeping delegated work away from a regular browser profile. The extension is more convenient when a task needs an already open tab or an existing signed-in session in a supported browser. Neither option guarantees that a website or task will work.
Sources: OpenAI Help Center, OpenAI
Website content and tool output still require careful review
OpenAI warns that site tools introduce prompt-injection and data-exfiltration risks. ChatGPT asks before interacting with a website and requires confirmation before sensitive actions such as sending a message, making a purchase, deleting data, changing permissions, or sharing personal information. Extension users can allow a site once, allow it for future tasks, block it, or grant access to all sites. The broadest setting reduces prompts but increases risk, so task-specific access is the safer default.
Sources: OpenAI Help Center, OpenAI
This is an OpenAI product update, not a Chat AI model release
Site tools and the browser extension are features of OpenAI's ChatGPT desktop experience. The announcement does not introduce a new model or change the models available in Chat AI. Chat AI availability is therefore marked not applicable for this article.
Sources: OpenAI Help Center
Frequently asked questions
What readers usually ask
What are ChatGPT site tools?
They are structured tools that a supported website can expose to ChatGPT through WebMCP. ChatGPT can use them in the desktop app's built-in browser when the account, selected model, webpage, and requested task are supported.
Do site tools work in Chrome or another regular browser?
No. OpenAI says site tools currently work only in the ChatGPT desktop app's built-in browser. The separate browser extension provides tab context and browser control in supported regular browsers.
Which browsers support the ChatGPT extension?
OpenAI lists Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Brave, Opera, and Vivaldi. Availability can still depend on rollout and workspace settings.
Does Opera support ChatGPT side chat?
No. Opera supports tab mentions and browser control from the desktop app, but OpenAI says side chat is available only in Chrome, Edge, Brave, and Vivaldi.
Can a site tool take a sensitive action without confirmation?
OpenAI says ChatGPT asks for confirmation immediately before sensitive actions such as sharing personal information, making purchases, deleting data, changing permissions, or sending messages. Users should still review the page, requested access, and proposed action.
Does this update add a new model to Chat AI?
No. This is a ChatGPT desktop-browser update, not a new model release or a change to Chat AI's model catalog.
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