ChatGPT for Mac adds opt-in Computer History feature, replacing Chronicle

OpenAI is giving ChatGPT and Codex a new way to learn from and remember how you use your Mac, even when that work happens outside the app.

ChatGPT Computer History is an upgraded replacement for Codex’s Chronicle research preview

The new Computer History feature builds a searchable timeline from activity across selected apps and websites.

OpenAI announced Computer History in Thursday’s desktop app changelog. The feature is off by default and must be enabled by each user, giving people control over which sources contribute to their history.

The release comes a month after Codex joined ChatGPT on the desktop. It also follows OpenAI’s experimental Chronicle feature from earlier this year.

OpenAI says Computer History actually replaces the Chronicle research preview, but calls it a rebuilt system rather than a simple rename. 

Chronicle relied on screenshots. Computer History instead records interaction events exposed through macOS accessibility features, including clicks, typing, keyboard shortcuts, and switching between apps.

Here’s how OpenAI describes the new feature:

Computer History is an opt-in feature in the ChatGPT desktop app on macOS that turns activity across apps and websites into memories and a timeline that ChatGPT and Codex can use. Choose which apps and websites contribute, pause collection, and review or delete your history at any time.

Computer History is available to ChatGPT Pro, Business, and Enterprise users. Business and Enterprise administrators must enable access before workspace members can turn it on. Initial availability excludes the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Separately, OpenAI explains how eligible users can enable the opt-in Computer History feature:

Computer History is off by default for ChatGPT Pro, Business, and Enterprise users in the ChatGPT desktop app on macOS. Pro users can choose to turn it on. For Business and Enterprise workspaces, an administrator must explicitly grant access before each member can choose to turn it on. 

Users can ask what they were doing before a break, find a recently viewed document, or generate a summary of the day’s work. ChatGPT may also suggest turning repeated workflows into skills or automations.

Computer History and privacy

ChatGPT’s Computer History feature doesn’t capture screenshots, screen recordings, microphone input, or system audio, according to OpenAI. Private browsing activity is also excluded.

From Settings, users can inspect timeline entries, reveal individual memory files in Finder, delete specific items, or clear activity from the last 10 minutes, hour, day, or all time.

Computer History temporarily stores interaction events on the Mac for up to 48 hours. OpenAI says the events are processed on its servers to generate memories, but are not retained after processing or used for training. The resulting plain-text memory files remain stored locally until deleted.

OpenAI also warns that Computer History can increase prompt-injection risk from malicious content in apps or websites. The company recommends pausing collection during communications with other people without their express consent and excluding apps with sensitive information.

You can learn much more about the optional Computer History feature in ChatGPT for Mac here.