How to Use ChatGPT Dots: A Practical Guide to AI Agents

Artificial intelligence is now more than just a tool for answering questions. With ChatGPT Dots, users can assign an AI agent to ongoing tasks, connect it to selected applications, and keep it running in the middle of a conversation.

While the first part of this series covered what ChatGPT Dots is, its technology, and key features, this guide focuses on how to actually use it. From creating your first dot to assigning tasks, connecting apps, and reviewing its performance, here’s a step-by-step guide for beginners.

Who can access ChatGPT Dots?

Before getting started, users need to check if Dots are available in their ChatGPT account. OpenAI is gradually rolling out Dots to eligible ChatGPT Pro users and Business Premium users who are 18 years or older in supported markets. Eligible Enterprise, Edu, and Healthcare workspaces will also have access, subject to workspace settings and administrator control. Availability may vary by subscription, region, and account eligibility. Even when a plan is eligible, it can take a few days for access to appear.

Users can create and communicate with a dot through the ChatGPT mobile app on iOS or Android, the desktop app, or a desktop web browser. Dots are not supported on mobile web.

Step 1: How to Create Your First ChatGPT Dot

Creating a dot is the first step towards using an always-on AI agent.

1.         Open the ChatGPT mobile app, desktop app or desktop website.

2.         Find the dots option and follow the on-screen introduction.

3.         Give your dot a name.

4.         Choose an available appearance or character.

5.         Connect any applications you want it to use, or skip this step and connect them later.

6.         Complete the setup and open your dot's conversation.

A dot receives a default handle during setup. Naming it changes the handle to reflect the selected name. Users can later change its name or appearance by opening its profile and selecting the edit option.

Once created, the same dot can be accessed across supported ChatGPT devices. Users do not need to create a separate dot for every device.

Step 2: Give Your Dot Clear Instructions

After creating a dot, the next step is to explain what you want it to manage.

Unlike a regular chatbot prompt, an instruction to a dot should describe an ongoing responsibility or a project that may require multiple steps.

For example, instead of asking:

"Find news about artificial intelligence."

A more useful instruction would be:

"Help me monitor important developments in artificial intelligence. Collect relevant updates from reliable sources, organise them by topic and prepare a concise summary. Include source links and publication dates. Do not publish or send anything without my approval."

A good instruction should explain:

•           The goal: What do you want the dot to accomplish?

•           The context: What background information, files or sources should it use?

•           The scope: Which topics, projects or applications should it focus on?

•           The expected result: Should it prepare a report, summary, document or list?

•           The schedule: Does the work need to happen once, daily or weekly?

•           Human involvement: Which decisions or actions require your approval?

Connected applications allow a dot to access information and tools that may be needed for a task.

For example, a user might connect Gmail to find relevant emails, Google Drive to work with documents or GitHub to investigate software issues.

To connect an application:

1. Open your dot's profile.
2. Go to its customization or Plugins section.
3. Select a supported application.
4. Review the requested permissions.
5. Connect the relevant account and complete any required authorization.
6. Return to the dot's conversation and explain how it should use the connected service.

The exact interface may differ across devices and account types.

Users should connect only the applications required for their work. They should also review the actions each connection permits. For example, allowing a dot to read emails does not necessarily mean it can send emails.

Disconnecting an application stops future access through that connection, but it does not automatically erase information the dot has already obtained.

Step 4: Connect Your Own Computer (Optional)

Every dot has its own cloud computer and browser. This allows it to work on tasks without requiring access to a user's personal device.

However, users can optionally connect a local computer through the ChatGPT desktop app when a task requires access to local files, applications or a signed-in browser.

To enable local computer access:

1. Open the ChatGPT desktop app on the computer you want to connect.
2. Open your dot's profile.
3. Find the Computers section.
4. Select your computer and choose Allow access.
5. Review the permission request and confirm the connection.

The computer must remain online with the ChatGPT app open while the dot uses it.

Local computer access is optional and should be enabled only when necessary. Users can revoke access from the relevant settings when they no longer want the dot to work with that device.

It is also important to understand that connecting a computer to Codex or enabling Work Sync does not automatically grant a dot access to local files or applications. These are separate connections.

Step 5: Assign Tasks and Let Your Dot Work

Once the necessary context and connections are available, users can assign tasks through the dot's conversation.

A useful task should explain what needs to be done, which resources the dot can use and what the completed result should look like.

For example, a professional could ask:

"Review the project documents in my connected Google Drive folder. Identify the main updates, organise the outstanding tasks and prepare a weekly progress report. Include the source document links and highlight anything that requires my attention. Do not modify the original files without asking me first."

After receiving the instruction, the dot can work through the objective, use available tools and return with progress updates or questions.

Users can continue communicating with it while the task is running. They can provide additional information, correct misunderstandings or change priorities without necessarily starting a new conversation.

For tasks involving files or photographs, users can also attach the relevant material directly to the conversation using the plus (+) option.

Step 6: Schedule Recurring Tasks

One of the useful aspects of dots is their ability to manage work that needs to happen repeatedly.

Instead of giving the same instruction every morning or every week, users can ask a dot to perform a recurring check or prepare scheduled updates.

For example:

"Every weekday at 9 AM Bangladesh time, review the connected project updates and prepare a short summary of new developments. Highlight approaching deadlines and any issues that need my attention. Send the update in this ChatGPT conversation."

A scheduled instruction should clearly specify:

• How often the task should run
• The preferred time and time zone
• Which information or applications should be checked
• What the dot should prepare
• Where updates should appear
• What should happen when a problem requires human attention

Scheduled tasks and proactive updates appear in the dot's conversation. Users can review active, paused and completed tasks through the Scheduled section or the dot's recent activity.

If the schedule changes, users can open the relevant task and adjust its timing, repetition or notification preferences.

Step 7: Monitor Progress and Review Results

Delegating work does not mean giving up oversight.

In the ChatGPT desktop app, users can open their dot's profile and select Activity to review its work. Tasks can appear under different sections, including In progress, Scheduled and Completed.

Opening a task allows users to inspect its progress, files and results. If the dot is waiting for an approval, application connection, sign-in or additional information, users can respond to the request to help it continue.

Reviewing the output is particularly important when the task involves research, business information, financial records or professional documents.

Users should check:

• Whether the dot followed the original instructions
• Whether the information is accurate and up to date
• Whether the sources are reliable
• Whether the expected files or reports were produced
• Whether any action was taken that requires further review

If the result is incomplete, users can provide feedback and ask the dot to correct or improve it.

Step 8: Set Permissions and Custom Rules

AI agents may interact with connected applications and information, so users should establish clear boundaries before assigning important responsibilities.

OpenAI provides built-in safeguards, approval checks and optional custom rules to help users control how a dot handles specific actions.

Depending on the available interface, users can manage custom rules through Settings > Personalization > Custom rules on desktop and web, or through Customize > Custom rules in the mobile app.

Custom rules can define how a dot should handle particular actions. Available choices include:

• Take action without asking: Allow a specified action to proceed without another approval.
• Take action when you say so: Proceed when the user explicitly requests it; otherwise, ask first.
• Ask before taking action: Require approval before carrying out the specified action.
• Hand off to you: Ask the user to complete the action personally.

For example, a user might allow a dot to organise research documents but require approval before sending emails, sharing files or making changes to important records.

These rules do not grant access to an application or computer by themselves. App permissions and custom rules are separate controls, and built-in safety requirements still apply.

Step 9: Pause or Stop Your Dot

There may be situations when users want to temporarily stop an agent or cancel a recurring responsibility.

To pause a dot:

1. Open the dot's profile.
2. Select the more options menu (•••).
3. Choose Pause.
4. To resume, select the paused status and follow the resume option.

Pausing a dot does not delete its information. However, users should understand that pausing the main dot does not necessarily stop every delegated task or cancel future scheduled runs.

To stop a separate delegated task, open it in Activity and stop it there. To cancel a recurring task, open Scheduled and disable or delete the relevant schedule.

If users decide to delete a dot, they should first save any information or results they may need. Deleting a dot is a separate action and cannot be undone.

Practical Ways to Use ChatGPT Dots

The value of an AI agent depends largely on how well its responsibilities are defined. Here are some practical examples of how different users can apply dots.

For Students and Researchers

Students can ask a dot to organise research materials, track project deadlines and prepare summaries from permitted sources.

For example:

"Help me organise my research project. Keep track of the documents I share, identify important findings and prepare a weekly summary with source references. Highlight information that needs further verification."

For Digital Marketers and SEO Professionals

Digital marketing professionals can use a dot to organise campaign research, review connected reports and prepare recurring performance summaries.

A practical instruction could be:

"Help me organise my weekly SEO workflow. Review the reports and documents I provide, identify changes in organic search performance, highlight technical issues and prepare a concise report. Do not make changes to the website or publish content without my approval."

This can support research and reporting while leaving important SEO decisions and website changes under human control.

For Journalists and Newsrooms

Journalists and editorial teams can use dots to organise interview transcripts, track research materials and prepare draft summaries or social media content.

For example:

"Review the interview transcript I provide. Prepare a summary of the main points, identify potential follow-up questions and draft social media captions. Keep direct quotations separate from summaries and do not publish or distribute anything without editorial approval."

Every factual claim, quotation and source should still be checked by a journalist or editor before publication.

For Business Owners and Professionals

A dot can help organise project updates, review connected business information and prepare documents for meetings.

Users might ask it to identify pending tasks, summarise relevant emails and prepare a list of decisions that require attention.

These examples show how a dot can support different workflows. The actual tasks it can complete depend on the connected applications, available permissions and the information provided.

Tips for Getting Better Results From ChatGPT Dots

A dot is more useful when it understands both the task and the boundaries within which it should work.

Here are some practical tips:

• Start with a specific responsibility: Give it a clearly defined project instead of a broad instruction such as "manage everything".
• Provide relevant context: Share the necessary documents, background information and reference sources.
• Set clear expectations: Explain the format, level of detail and frequency of updates you want.
• Use limited permissions: Connect only the applications and accounts required for the task.
• Review early results: Check the first few outputs and correct mistakes before relying on recurring work.
• Keep sensitive actions under approval: Require confirmation before sending messages, sharing files or changing important information.
• Update instructions when priorities change: Tell the dot when a deadline, project scope or expected output changes.
• Check scheduled tasks regularly: Review recurring instructions to make sure they remain relevant.

The goal is not to automate every decision. It is to delegate repetitive work while keeping people responsible for important outcomes.

Common Problems When Using ChatGPT Dots

Users may occasionally encounter issues during setup or while assigning work.

The Dots Option Is Not Available

Dots are rolling out gradually, and access depends on plan, region and workspace eligibility. Users should check their subscription, update the mobile app if necessary and review the official OpenAI Help Center for current availability.

A Dot Cannot Access an Application

Check whether the required plugin is supported, installed and connected to the correct account. Review the permissions to confirm that the dot is allowed to perform the requested action.

A Dot Cannot Access the Personal Computer

Make sure local computer access has been enabled through the ChatGPT desktop app. The computer must remain online, and the app must stay open while the dot uses it.

A Task Is Waiting for Approval

Open the relevant task in Activity and review the request. The dot may need additional information, an application connection, a sign-in or permission before it can continue.

The Results Are Incomplete

The dot may have misunderstood the instruction or lacked access to relevant information. Provide additional context, clarify the expected result and ask it to review the incomplete work.

FAQ ChatGPT Dots

Can I create a dot on my phone?

Yes. Users can create and communicate with dots through the latest ChatGPT mobile app on iOS or Android. Mobile web is not supported.

Do I need to keep my computer turned on?

No, not for normal cloud-based work. A dot has its own cloud computer and can continue working without the user's personal computer. However, if it needs access to a connected local computer, that device must remain online with the ChatGPT app open.

Can I connect Gmail or Google Drive to a dot?

A dot can use supported applications that are installed and connected to the user's ChatGPT account. Gmail and Google Drive are examples of services that can support relevant tasks, subject to availability and permissions.

Can a dot send emails or modify files?

That depends on the connected application's permissions and the applicable approval requirements. Users should review allowed actions and require approval for sensitive or consequential activities.

Can I use the same dot on multiple devices?

Yes. Users can create a dot on a supported device and continue communicating with the same dot through other supported ChatGPT devices.

Can I stop a dot whenever I want?

Users can pause a dot from its profile. However, separate delegated tasks and scheduled runs may need to be stopped or cancelled individually.

ChatGPT dots offer a practical way to move from asking AI questions to assigning it ongoing responsibilities. Users can create a dot, provide context, connect selected applications and delegate tasks that require continued attention.

However, successful use depends on more than simply giving an agent access to tools. Clear instructions, appropriate permissions, regular reviews and human oversight remain essential.

For beginners, the best approach is to start with one manageable task, review the results and gradually expand the dot's responsibilities as confidence grows.

The future of AI agents will not be defined only by how much work they can perform, but also by how effectively people can guide, monitor and control them.