What are OpenAI Dots?
Most of us still treat ChatGPT like a search box: open it, ask a question, close the tab. On 29 September 2026, at its DevDay event in San Francisco, OpenAI announced something meant to change that relationship entirely: Dots — always-on AI agents that keep working on your goals even after you close your laptop.
A Dot is not a longer chat session. Each Dot gets its own cloud computer and browser, runs on OpenAI's GPT-6 Astra model, connects to more than 4,000 apps through plugins, and can research, draft, code and report back while you sleep. You reach the same Dot through ChatGPT on desktop and mobile, through Slack and Microsoft Teams, or even by voice call.
But Dots are not available to everyone, they cannot be created on a phone, and a lot of people with eligible plans still cannot see them. This guide covers what OpenAI Dots actually are, who can get one, the exact setup steps, how the safety controls work, and what to do if Dots are missing from your account.
Who can get OpenAI Dots (and what do they cost)?
Dots are still rolling out and are limited to paid tiers. Here is the eligibility picture 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 in the plan at no extra cost.
- ChatGPT Business Premium ($100 per user per month billed annually, or $125 monthly) — available in all supported regions.
- Enterprise, Edu and Healthcare — Dots are in beta and off by default; a workspace admin has to enable them.
- Free, Go ($8) and Plus ($20) plans — not included. OpenAI says it plans to expand Dots to more users later, with no date.
Talking to your Dot does not count against your ChatGPT message limits, but the work it starts does: tasks it hands to ChatGPT Work or Codex count as usual. OpenAI has also said users will eventually be able to add more Dots or more capacity, but pricing for that has not been published.
One more thing: rollout is gradual. OpenAI says Dots "may take several days to reach your account" even on an eligible plan — so if you qualify and still cannot see them, wait a few days before assuming something is broken (more on that below).
How to set up your first OpenAI Dot (step by step)
Dots are created on desktop only — you cannot create a Dot on a phone or on mobile web. Once it exists, though, 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 your eligible account.
- Create your Dot and name it. Give it a name you will actually use — the name becomes its handle, in the form @yourname-name (for example, name it "Alfred" and it becomes @yourname-alfred). You will 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 carefully before approving.
- Set your Custom Rules. This is the most important step. For each Dot you decide what it can do on its own, what needs your pre-approval, what it must always ask you about first, and what is completely off-limits. See the safety section below before you skim this.
- Leave local-computer access off unless you need it. Dots can access your own computer, but this is off by default. Only turn it on for a specific reason, and turn it back off afterwards.
- Give it its first job. Start with something bounded and reviewable — for example, "watch this shared document and tell me when the client comments", or "summarise any new emails about the project every morning". Track progress in the Dot's profile, which keeps In progress, Scheduled and Completed lists.
After setup, reach your Dot anywhere: message it in ChatGPT (desktop or mobile app), tag its handle in Slack or Microsoft Teams, or call it by voice. Texting support exists but 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 cannot 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 things you pre-approved.
- 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 that its tests found no scored successes in 16,600 generated attack emails — but the same research found that scope problems grow as task chains get longer. The 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?
This is the most common Dots problem right now, and the fix depends on which of these applies to you:
- You are on Free, Go ($8) or Plus ($20). Dots are not included on these plans at launch. No setting will surface them — the only path is upgrading to an eligible plan when OpenAI expands access.
- You are 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 has not reached you yet. OpenAI confirms this can take several days. Check back periodically; there is nothing to fix on your end. If ChatGPT itself is acting strangely in the meantime, our guide to fixing ChatGPT not working covers the common local causes.
- You are on mobile. Dots cannot be created from the ChatGPT mobile app or mobile web. Sign in on a desktop browser or the desktop app instead.
- Your Enterprise/Edu/Healthcare workspace has not enabled it. Dots are off by default there — ask your workspace admin to enable the beta.
- You are under 18. Dots require an adult account.
Frequently asked questions
What is OpenAI Dots?
OpenAI Dots are 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.
How do I use ChatGPT Dots?
Create your Dot on the ChatGPT desktop app or at chatgpt.com/dots, connect apps via the Plugins tab, set Custom Rules, then message it in ChatGPT, tag its @yourname-name handle in Slack or Teams, or call it by voice. Track its work in the In progress, Scheduled and Completed lists in the Dot profile.
Which ChatGPT plans include Dots?
ChatGPT Pro 100/200/500 (adults, excluding the EEA, Switzerland and the UK), ChatGPT Business Premium (all supported regions), and Enterprise/Edu/Healthcare where an admin enables the beta. Free, Go and Plus do not include Dots at launch.
How much do OpenAI Dots cost?
Your first Dot is included with an eligible plan. ChatGPT Pro costs $100, $200 or $500 per month; Business Premium is $100 per user per month billed annually (or $125 monthly). OpenAI has not yet priced additional Dots or extra capacity.
Why don't I see Dots in my ChatGPT account?
Either your plan or region is not eligible (Free/Go/Plus, or Pro in the EEA, UK or Switzerland), the gradual rollout has not reached your account yet (can take several days), you are on mobile where Dots cannot be created, or your workspace admin has not enabled the Enterprise beta.
Can I create a dot on my phone?
No. Dots can only be created from the ChatGPT desktop app (macOS/Windows) or desktop web. After creation you can message your Dot from the ChatGPT mobile app.
Is OpenAI Dots available in Europe and the UK?
Not for ChatGPT Pro users — Dots are excluded for Pro plans 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. OpenAI's Help Center says the old Agent mode is no longer available and points users to ChatGPT Work and its cloud browser. A Dot is different: a persistent assistant that can start Work and Codex tasks and keeps working on ongoing goals between conversations. If you want to experiment with the newest AI tools, also see our guide to Google's free Omni AI video generator.
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