OpenAI’s ChatGPT Computer History adds privacy controls and timeline view
OpenAI has upgraded its ChatGPT desktop app with Computer History, an opt-in feature that builds on the Chronicle research preview while reducing token usage and adding privacy controls. It now offers a timeline view that lets users review past work and derive reusable skills from frequent tasks. The feature captures recent macOS activity across apps and websites, turning it into persistent memory for ChatGPT and Codex, so interactions feel more personalized and require less context-setting. Rolling out globally to Pro, Business, and Enterprise users, it is enabled under Settings → Integrations in the Mac app. This marks a shift toward OS-native, context-aware AI agents, though users must opt in and manage privacy trade-offs.
OpenAI’s ChatGPT Computer History adds privacy controls and timeline view
Computer History builds on the Chronicle research preview with reduced token usage and more privacy controls. A new timeline view gives you the ability to look back on your work and build skills from your frequent tasks.
Key takeaway
Computer History transforms ChatGPT from a stateless query tool into a persistent, app-aware companion by leveraging local macOS activity as memory, making contextual continuity the new competitive differentiator.
What happened
OpenAI announced Computer History for the ChatGPT desktop app on macOS, an opt-in feature that builds on the Chronicle research preview. It introduces reduced token usage, additional privacy controls, and a new timeline view that lets users review past work and build reusable skills from frequent tasks. The feature captures activity across apps and websites to provide persistent context for ChatGPT and Codex.
According to OpenAI, users enable it via Settings → Integrations in the Mac desktop app, and it is rolling out globally now to Pro, Business, and Enterprise users. Techmeme reports that Computer History turns recent macOS activity into memories and a timeline that ChatGPT and Codex can use, making interactions more personalized and requiring less explanation.
Evidence
Computer History reduces token usage and adds privacy controls compared to the Chronicle research preview.
OpenAI · attributed
Computer History builds on the Chronicle research preview with reduced token usage and more privacy controls.
Computer History is an opt-in feature that turns recent macOS activity into memories and a timeline usable by ChatGPT and Codex.
Techmeme · attributed
OpenAI launches Computer History, an opt-in feature that turns recent computer activity on macOS into memories and a timeline that ChatGPT and Codex can use
Users enable Computer History via Settings → Integrations in the ChatGPT desktop app on Mac, rolling out globally to Pro, Business, and Enterprise users.
OpenAI · attributed
To use Computer History, opt in under Settings → Integrations in the ChatGPT desktop app on Mac. Rolling out globally now to Pro, Business,
With Computer History, future interactions feel more personalized and require less explanation.
OpenAI (X) · attributed
ChatGPT can now remember your activity across the apps and websites on your computer. With Computer History in the desktop app, future interactions feel more personalized and require less explanation.
Why it matters
This rollout signals that AI assistants are moving beyond conversation to operate as OS-native agents that accumulate private user context, raising the stakes for data governance, user trust, and competitive lock-in as models become more deeply embedded in daily workflows.
Limits and uncertainties
The feature is currently limited to the macOS desktop app and only available to Pro, Business, and Enterprise tiers, not free users.
User adoption depends on opting in, and the specific privacy controls are not detailed in the announcement.
Practical implications
Developers should design agentic workflows that can leverage persistent local context, and be mindful of privacy implications when integrating such memory features.
Builders should consider the competitive pressure to offer similar context-aware capabilities to retain users.
What to watch
Watch for expansion of Computer History to Windows or other platforms.
Monitor for updates on how users can manage or delete their computer history data.
Track whether OpenAI extends this feature to free tiers.
Original reporting: Computer History builds on the Chronicle research preview with reduced token usage and more privacy controls.
A new timeline view gives you the ability to look back on your work a
