Agent Mode: Your AI Assistant Takes Action
The defining feature of Atlas is agent mode—ChatGPT's ability to interact with websites autonomously on your behalf. This goes far beyond answering questions; the agent can navigate, click, fill forms, and complete complex multi-step tasks.
What the Agent Can Accomplish
- Research across multiple websites simultaneously
- Complete online forms with your information
- Add products to shopping carts and compare prices
- Extract and compile data from various sources
- Automate repetitive browsing workflows
- Plan events by researching venues and options
- Navigate complex multi-page processes
How It Works
When you request something requiring web interaction, ChatGPT asks permission to activate agent mode. You'll observe it opening tabs, navigating sites, clicking elements, and gathering information. The process is transparent—you watch everything in real-time and can intervene at any moment.
Safety Measures
OpenAI has implemented comprehensive safeguards:
- Cannot execute code or download files
- No access to your file system or other applications
- Pauses on sensitive sites (banking, finance) for your approval
- Logged-out mode available to limit account access
- All actions visible and interruptible
Current Status: Agent mode is in preview for Plus, Pro, and Business subscribers. While rapidly improving, it can occasionally make errors on complex workflows.
Browser Memories: Contextual Understanding
Browser memories enable Atlas to remember key details from your browsing activity, creating a personalized experience that improves over time.
Research Continuity
Atlas remembers topics you're exploring, allowing you to pick up research where you left off days later without starting over.
Shopping Intelligence
Recalls products you've viewed for comparisons, recommendations, and alerts about price changes or availability.
Project Context
Maintains awareness of ongoing projects from documentation you read, enabling more relevant assistance.
Learning Paths
Tracks educational materials you study to suggest next steps and create personalized learning trajectories.
Complete Privacy Control
You maintain full authority over browser memories:
- Enable or disable memories globally in settings
- Control per-site whether memories are created
- View all stored memories and archive selectively
- Clear browsing history to delete associated memories
- Memories remain private to your account
- Not used for model training by default
Intelligent New Tab Interface
Atlas reimagines the new tab page as a unified portal for search, chat, and discovery.
One search box accepts URLs, questions, commands, or topics. Atlas intelligently determines intent and responds appropriately.
Switch between chat responses, web links, images, videos, and news without leaving the page.
ChatGPT proposes next actions based on context: return to previous research, explore related topics, or automate tasks.
Quick links to recent sites and ongoing work streamline navigation and maintain focus.
Contextual Assistance Sidebar
The Ask ChatGPT sidebar provides intelligent help without disrupting your browsing.
- ChatGPT views and understands current page content
- Ask questions about what you're reading instantly
- Generate summaries of lengthy articles or documentation
- Translate content on-the-fly
- Request simpler explanations of complex concepts
- Explore related information and context
The sidebar integrates with your ChatGPT memory and conversation history, enabling it to reference past discussions when assisting with current pages.
Model & Feature Selection
Choose the ChatGPT model that best suits your needs:
Available Models
- GPT-3.5 (Free): Rapid responses for straightforward queries and assistance
- GPT-4 (Plus/Pro): Advanced reasoning for complex analysis and research
- GPT-4 Turbo (Plus/Pro): Extended context handling for lengthy documents
- Voice Mode (Plus/Pro): Natural conversational interaction while browsing
Model preferences persist across sessions, and you can switch anytime based on task requirements.
Standard Browser Functions
Beyond AI capabilities, Atlas includes comprehensive traditional browser features:
Bookmarks
Import, organize in folders, and access favorites. Full bookmark management with import from other browsers.
Passwords
Secure password storage and autofill. Import existing credentials from other browsers seamlessly.
Tabs
Multiple tabs, grouping, recently closed restoration, and efficient switching capabilities.
Downloads
Download tracking, organization, and security scanning for safe file management.
History
Complete browsing history with search, filters, and flexible date range selection.
Dev Tools
Inspect element, console access, and network monitoring. More tools in development.
Privacy Architecture
Atlas provides transparent, granular privacy controls:
Privacy Features
- Per-page visibility toggle in address bar
- Incognito mode for complete ChatGPT logout
- Global and per-site browser memory controls
- History clearing removes associated memories
- Training opt-out (browsing not used by default)
- Parental controls for memories and agent mode
When ChatGPT visibility is disabled for a page, it cannot access content, create memories, or perform actions—giving you complete control.
Migration & Import Tools
Switching to Atlas is seamless with comprehensive import capabilities:
- Bookmarks and folder structure
- Saved passwords and credentials
- Browsing history
- Currently open tabs
- Settings and preferences where compatible
Import occurs during initial setup or later via settings. Supports Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge, and most major browsers.
Roadmap & Future Features
OpenAI has announced several capabilities in active development:
- Multi-profile support for work/personal separation
- Enhanced developer tools for professionals
- Extension ecosystem via Apps SDK
- Cross-platform synchronization (when other OS versions launch)
- Improved agent task completion and reliability
- ARIA tag support for better website compatibility
Updates ship frequently—consult official release notes for the latest additions.