That prompted a recent launch of the Computer History feature for its Mac desktop app, which allows the system to keep track of recent activity on various apps and websites that have been granted permission, creating a searchable timeline and memory layer based on that activity. The feature is meant to assist users get back to work faster, recognize their workflows from the past, and minimize context they have to repeat in subsequent chats.
What Computer History does
Computer History is an opt-in option in the macOS ChatGPT desktop app that logs interaction events with permitted apps and websites. These provide context and events such as clicks, typing, keyboard shortcuts, app switches and more through macOS accessibility permissions.
OpenAI explains that feature periodically takes those events and turns them into text summaries and local memory files which chatgpt & Codex will be able to use in the future. In action, it functions more like a private activity timeline that enables users to continue from where they left off or detect recurring work patterns.
Why it matters
Designed to make ChatGPT more personal and functional for those who have a lot of work across different apps, tabs, and documents. It studiess not just on chat history, but also recent activity on the computer to recall what it was that the user was struggling with and offer quicker ways to follow through. learn.
Which makes it especially relevant for users dealing with repeatable workflows, research jobs, coding sessions, or all sorts of content production that involves switching amongst multiple windows. OpenAI states its not now the goal is to help users with transforming continued workflows, be more like skills or automations for ongoing time.
Privacy and controls
OpenAI says Computer History is disabled by default, and must be enabled manually in Settings under Integrations. Users also select the apps and websited that can add to history, and they have the ability to pause or stop the function at any time. learn.
The company says the power doesn’t take screenshots, screen recordings, microphone input or system audio and does not record private-mode browsing. Temporary event files are kept on the Mac for 48 hours and deleted, whereas generated memory files remain on the filesystem until removed by a user.
Availability
In a note rolled out by OpenAI, Computer History is one of the new features available to ChatGPT Pro, Business and Enterprise users in the Mac desktop app. Access is generally available, rolling out worldwide this week, the EEA, UK and Switzerland soon.
However, Business and Enterprise users will also require an administrator to grant access before enabling it for each user. According to OpenAI docs the feature works only if Memories are also enabled.