Many people still use ChatGPT in the simplest possible way: type a question, read the answer and move on. That is a perfectly reasonable starting point, but it misses much of what the product has become. ChatGPT now includes tools for research, software development, voice conversations, image creation, file analysis and longer-running tasks. The features available to an account can vary by plan, region and rollout, so the list below is a guide to what the tools do rather than a promise that every button will appear for every user.
1. Deep Research for a sourced investigation
Deep Research is designed for questions that need more than a quick answer. It can investigate a topic across multiple sources and produce a structured report with citations. It is useful for market research, background reading or comparing policies, but citations still need to be opened and checked. A polished report is not proof that every source supports every sentence.
2. Codex for software development
Codex is aimed at coding tasks, from understanding a repository to proposing changes and running checks in a supported environment. Developers can use it to investigate bugs, write tests or review a change. It works best when the task is specific and the developer can inspect the diff, run the test suite and decide whether the change belongs in the project.
3. Voice for hands-free conversations
Voice lets people talk through a question instead of typing. It can be helpful when brainstorming, practising a presentation, asking follow-up questions while away from a keyboard or working through an idea aloud. Voice features and connected-app access depend on the mode and plan, so users should check the current settings rather than assume every voice experience has identical capabilities.
4. Images for visual creation and editing
ChatGPT Images can create new visuals and edit supplied images from written instructions. OpenAI announced Images 2.6 on 4 November 2026, highlighting faster generation, GIF creation, more precise editing and additional API controls. It can help with concept art, simple marketing visuals and early design exploration. For brand-critical work, review spelling, product details, rights and visual consistency before publishing.
5. File and data analysis
Users can upload supported documents and spreadsheets and ask ChatGPT to summarise, compare or analyse the information. This can be useful for finding patterns in a dataset or turning a long document into a working summary. The important habit is to ask for the method, check calculations against the original file and avoid treating a generated explanation as an audited result.
6. Work for multi-step deliverables
ChatGPT Work is built for longer tasks that involve research, connected apps and files. OpenAI says it can create finished documents, spreadsheets, presentations, reports and Sites, while allowing the user to follow progress and approve important actions. It is better suited to a defined piece of work than a vague instruction to “handle everything”.
7. Dots for ongoing tasks
Dots are OpenAI’s always-on agents, announced in September 2026. They have their own cloud computer and browser, can work across connected apps and continue towards a goal between conversations. Access is rolling out to eligible plans and markets. Because ongoing agents can act beyond a single chat, users should set clear boundaries and review sensitive actions.
Which feature should you try first?
Start with the task that regularly steals time. If you spend hours collecting background information, test Deep Research. If you work with code, try Codex on a small, reversible change. If you handle reports, experiment with file analysis or Work using non-sensitive material. The point is not to use every feature; it is to find one that genuinely improves the way you work.
ChatGPT is becoming a toolbox rather than a single-purpose chatbot. Used thoughtfully, its features can reduce repetitive work and help people get from a blank page to a useful first draft. The best results still come from clear instructions, good source material and a human review before anything important is sent, shared or relied upon.