OpenAI Dots FAQ: Your Questions Answered

OpenAI Dots arrived on 2026-09-29 as always-on AI agents powered by GPT-6 Astra. That is a lot of new ground to cover in one launch, so the same handful of questions keeps coming up: what exactly is a Dot, am I eligible, what does it cost, is it safe, and where can I reach it? This page collects concise answers to all of them. The accordion below holds the full list of questions; the sections here point you to the guide that goes deeper on each theme.

One framing note before the answers. This is an independent, source-checked guide, not an OpenAI product page. Where OpenAI has not published a figure — additional Dot prices, extra availability dates — we say "not published" rather than guess. Every factual claim links back to OpenAI's own announcement and help center.

Start here: what are Dots?

A Dot is an always-on agent: it has its own cloud computer and browser, connects to 4,000+ apps through OpenAI's plugin ecosystem, learns from your feedback over time, and works 24/7 on a project while handling several others. You begin with a primary Dot and give it a name. If you want the full picture — what a Dot is, what it is not, and what OpenAI has demonstrated — read what OpenAI Dots are.

Eligibility, plans, and pricing

Dots are rolling out to Pro and Business Premium in eligible markets, with your first Dot included at no extra cost. Enterprise, including Edu and Healthcare, can try the beta when a workspace admin enables it. OpenAI has said more Dots and scaling options will come later, but it has not published those prices — so any figure you see elsewhere is a guess. See how to get Dots for the practical steps and Dots pricing for what is confirmed versus unpublished.

Capabilities at a glance

Each Dot can write and test code, drive a browser, and take on a project end to end. OpenAI's own examples span turning customer feedback into tested pull requests, revising launch materials as scope changes, rerunning a scientific analysis and updating figures, updating a sales proposal and building a proof of concept, and turning an interview transcript into clips, show notes, and posts. The common thread is ongoing responsibility rather than a single reply.

Channels: where you reach a Dot

You can talk to a Dot through ChatGPT on desktop, web, and mobile, and also through Slack and Teams. Texting via iMessage and RCS is coming on a limited Pro waitlist. Dots carry context across channels, so work can move with you. Our Slack and Teams guide covers setup and routing.

Safety and privacy

OpenAI says each Dot runs on its own isolated cloud computer, background "proactive research" uses read-only tools, actions that affect your accounts go through auto-review, and you can set Custom Rules and inspect an activity view. Saved passwords are used without exposing them to the model, and some sensitive tasks — changing a password, for example — always stay with you. By default, content from Business, Enterprise, and Edu workspaces is not used to improve models. OpenAI also notes that Dots can make mistakes, so review consequential work. The full breakdown is in the security and privacy guide.

Data controls and enterprise features

On personal plans, whether your content is used to improve models is something you control through opt-in. OpenAI says it does not train directly on proactive-research content or a Dot's own notes. For organizations, specialist Dots add organizational agents with their own identity, credentials, and access to systems of record, and OpenAI is integrating them with Microsoft's Agent 365 for governance. Conversations with a Dot do not count toward ChatGPT usage limits, while tasks started in Codex or ChatGPT Work do.

Explore the guides

The FAQ accordion answers the individual questions. These guides go deeper on each theme:

The basics What a Dot is, what it can do, and how it works. The model GPT-6 Astra, the frontier model that powers every Dot. Getting started Eligibility, plans, and the setup steps. Pricing What is included, and what OpenAI has not published. Safety & privacy Isolation, read-only research, approvals, and data controls. Enterprise Organizational agents with their own identity and access.

Source: OpenAI, Introducing dots, checked 2026-09-30. Unpublished figures are marked as not published rather than estimated.

OpenAI Dots: frequently asked questions

Is astradot.org the official OpenAI website?

No. astradot.org is an independent guide and community resource. We are not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by OpenAI. The official site is openai.com and you create Dots at chatgpt.com/dots.

What are OpenAI Dots?

Dots are always-on AI agents introduced by OpenAI on September 29, 2026. Each Dot has its own cloud computer and browser, connects to 4,000+ apps through plugins, learns from your feedback over time, and works toward your goals around the clock. They are powered by GPT-6 Astra.

What is GPT-6 Astra?

GPT-6 Astra is the frontier model that powers Dots. OpenAI describes Dots as "frontier intelligence" with their own cloud computer, and GPT-6 Astra is the model behind that reasoning and action-taking ability.

How do I get a Dot?

At launch, Dots roll out to ChatGPT Pro and Business Premium users in eligible markets, with the first Dot included at no extra cost. Enterprise (including Edu and Healthcare) users can try the beta when a workspace admin enables it. Create yours in the ChatGPT desktop app or desktop browser.

How much do Dots cost?

Your first Dot is included with an eligible Pro or Business Premium plan. OpenAI has said you will later be able to add more Dots and scale their speed or monthly work, but it has not published prices for additional Dots or scaling. We mark those as not published rather than estimate.

Are Dots safe to use?

OpenAI says each Dot works on its own isolated cloud computer, background "proactive research" uses read-only tools, actions affecting your accounts go through auto-review, and you can set Custom Rules and inspect activity. OpenAI also notes Dots can still make mistakes, so review consequential work.

Can I message my Dot outside ChatGPT?

Yes. You can reach a Dot through ChatGPT on desktop, web, and mobile, and also through Slack and Teams. Texting via iMessage and RCS is on a limited waitlist for Pro users at launch.

What is a "specialist Dot"?

A specialist Dot is a Dot that takes on a dedicated responsibility inside an organization, with its own identity, credentials, and access to the systems it needs. OpenAI is running focused enterprise pilots and integrating specialist Dots with Microsoft Agent 365.

Do Dot conversations count against my ChatGPT limits?

OpenAI says conversations with your Dot do not count toward your ChatGPT usage limits. However, tasks a Dot starts or manages in Codex or ChatGPT Work do count against your existing usage limits.

Which apps can a Dot connect to?

OpenAI says Dots can connect to more than 4,000 apps through its plugin ecosystem, managed through your existing ChatGPT app controls. The exact catalog changes over time, so check OpenAI's own documentation.

Does OpenAI train on my Dot conversations?

By default OpenAI does not use content from ChatGPT Business, Enterprise, or Edu workspaces to improve models. On personal plans you control whether Dot conversations and work are used to improve models. OpenAI says it does not train directly on proactive-research content or a Dot's own notes.