Agent Mode in ChatGPT Atlas
Understanding how ChatGPT can take actions on your behalf
What is Agent Mode?
Agent Mode represents one of the most revolutionary features in ChatGPT Atlas. It allows ChatGPT to autonomously navigate websites, interact with web pages, and complete tasks on your behalf—all while you watch and maintain control.
Current Status: Available in preview for Plus, Pro, and Business users as of the October 2025 launch.
How Agent Mode Works
The Basic Process
- Task Assignment: You describe what you want to accomplish in natural language
- Permission Request: ChatGPT asks if it should start opening tabs and interacting with websites
- Autonomous Execution: Once approved, ChatGPT navigates websites, clicks buttons, fills forms, and completes your task
- Human Oversight: You can watch the entire process and intervene at any time
- Completion Report: ChatGPT summarizes what it accomplished and asks if you need anything else
Real-World Use Cases
1. Grocery Shopping and Meal Planning
Example Task:
"I'm planning a dinner party this Friday for 8 people. Here's a recipe for lasagna I want to make. Find a grocery store that delivers to my area, add all the ingredients to a cart, and place the order for Thursday delivery."
What ChatGPT Does:
- Analyzes the recipe and creates a shopping list
- Searches for grocery delivery services in your area
- Navigates to the store website
- Searches for each ingredient and adds appropriate quantities to cart
- Selects delivery date and time
- Reviews the order with you before final confirmation
2. Research and Competitive Analysis
Example Task:
"Research our top three competitors' pricing strategies, read through their recent blog posts and press releases, then compile a competitive analysis document with key insights."
What ChatGPT Does:
- Navigates to competitor websites
- Analyzes pricing pages and structures
- Reads through recent content and announcements
- Extracts key differentiators and strategies
- Compiles findings into a comprehensive report
- Identifies trends and patterns across competitors
3. Event Planning and Booking
Example Task:
"Find and book a restaurant for 6 people next Saturday at 7 PM in downtown San Francisco. I prefer Italian food and need outdoor seating."
What ChatGPT Does:
- Searches for Italian restaurants with outdoor seating
- Checks availability for your specified date and time
- Compares options based on ratings and reviews
- Presents top recommendations
- Makes the reservation once you approve
4. Document Review and Synthesis
Example Task:
"Review all the team meeting notes from the last month and create a summary of action items, decisions made, and pending discussions."
What ChatGPT Does:
- Locates and opens all relevant documents
- Reads through meeting notes chronologically
- Extracts action items and their status
- Identifies key decisions and their context
- Compiles pending items that need follow-up
- Creates an organized summary document
Agent Mode Capabilities
Website Navigation
Opens new tabs, follows links, and navigates through multi-step processes across different websites.
Form Interaction
Fills out forms, selects options from dropdowns, and inputs information based on your instructions.
Content Analysis
Reads and understands content across multiple pages, extracting relevant information.
Data Compilation
Gathers information from various sources and organizes it according to your needs.
Research Tasks
Conducts comprehensive research across multiple websites with specific criteria.
Comparison Shopping
Compares products, prices, and features across different retailers.
Important Limitations
To maintain security and safety, Agent Mode has specific restrictions:
Cannot Run Code
Agent Mode cannot execute JavaScript or any code in the browser environment
No File Downloads
Cannot download files or access your computer's file system
No Extensions Install
Cannot install browser extensions or modify browser settings
Limited App Access
Cannot access other applications on your computer outside the browser
Safety Features
Sensitive Site Protection
When Agent Mode encounters sensitive websites like financial institutions, it automatically pauses and requires your explicit approval before proceeding. This ensures you're actively monitoring actions involving sensitive data.
Logged-Out Mode
You can run Agent Mode in a logged-out state, which limits its access to your personal information and prevents it from taking actions as you on logged-in websites. This is recommended when:
- Conducting general research that doesn't require authentication
- Testing Agent Mode with unfamiliar websites
- Wanting to minimize risk of unintended actions
Transparent Operations
Every action Agent Mode takes is visible to you in real-time. You can see:
- Which tabs are being opened
- What information is being entered
- Which buttons are being clicked
- The reasoning behind each action
Instant Control
You can stop Agent Mode at any time by:
- Clicking the stop button
- Closing the relevant tabs
- Giving a new command to override current actions
Known Risks and Considerations
Understanding the Risks
As outlined in OpenAI's system card, Agent Mode is still in preview and carries inherent risks:
1. Execution Errors
Agent Mode may make mistakes when interpreting your instructions or navigating complex workflows. It's especially prone to errors on:
- Websites with complex or unusual layouts
- Multi-step processes with many dependencies
- Tasks requiring nuanced judgment
2. Prompt Injection Vulnerabilities
Malicious actors can potentially hide instructions in webpages or emails that attempt to override Agent Mode's intended behavior. While OpenAI has implemented safeguards, these attacks can evolve.
Best Practice: Use logged-out mode when visiting unfamiliar websites or clicking links from unknown sources.
3. Unintended Actions
On websites where you're logged in, Agent Mode could potentially:
- Make purchases or bookings you didn't intend
- Modify account settings incorrectly
- Send messages or post content
Recommendation: Always monitor Agent Mode when it's working with logged-in sites, especially those involving financial transactions.
Best Practices for Using Agent Mode
- Start Simple: Begin with straightforward tasks to understand how Agent Mode works
- Be Specific: Provide clear, detailed instructions about what you want accomplished
- Stay Present: Watch Agent Mode work, especially on complex or sensitive tasks
- Use Logged-Out Mode: For research and general browsing that doesn't require authentication
- Review Before Confirming: Always check the results before finalizing transactions or submissions
- Provide Feedback: If Agent Mode makes mistakes, let it know so it can learn and improve
The Future of Agent Mode
OpenAI is rapidly improving Agent Mode with a focus on:
- Reliability: Reducing errors and improving success rates on complex workflows
- Speed: Making agent actions faster and more efficient
- Task Complexity: Expanding capabilities to handle more sophisticated multi-step processes
- Safety: Continuously updating safeguards against emerging threats