As someone who develops websites, mobile apps and all sorts of digital services at Belknap Mountain Web Services, I am always on the hunt for tools that let me deliver more value to clients. Automation and artificial intelligence are two of my favorite topics because they free us from tedious work and allow us to focus on creativity. This summer, OpenAI introduced a feature that feels like the future of productivity — ChatGPT Agent Mode. In this post I’ll explain what Agent Mode is, how it works, what it can do for your business, and why it might be the closest thing to having your own personal intern.
What is ChatGPT Agent Mode?
For years ChatGPT has been an incredible knowledge tool, but it was limited to generating text. The new Agent Mode, released in July 2025, transforms ChatGPT into a doer. OpenAI combined the strengths of its previous Operator tool (which could browse visually and click through websites) and Deep Research (which could read and summarise text quickly) into a single autonomous agent1.
According to OpenAI’s own team, the agent uses a virtual computer with two browsers — a fast text browser and a full visual browser — plus a terminal for running code2. This setup allows the agent to click buttons, fill out forms, run Python scripts, generate charts, access public APIs, and even connect to services like Google Drive or GitHub2.
The magic comes from the shared state across tools. Just like you switch between Chrome, Excel and a code editor while working, ChatGPT Agent Mode can jump between browsing, coding and data manipulation, with all tools sharing the same files. The agent’s designers note that giving ChatGPT this “virtual laptop” makes it possible to handle tasks that would take humans a long time2.
How it works and how to get started
Activating Agent Mode is as simple as logging into ChatGPT and selecting “Agent Mode” from the tools menu or typing /agent. However, there are a few prerequisites. As of August 2025, Agent Mode is only available to paid ChatGPT users. Pro subscribers get roughly 400 agent messages per month, while Plus and Team subscribers have about 40 messages, and the feature is still rolling out to Enterprise and Education plans34. The agent also isn’t available in the European Economic Area or Switzerland yet5.
Once enabled, you provide the agent with a clear and detailed prompt describing the outcome you want. For example: “Research my five biggest competitors and summarise pricing, key features, and pros/cons in a spreadsheet,” or “Plan a trip from Boston to San Francisco under $800 with hotel options and a daily itinerary.” The agent then launches its virtual desktop and starts working. It may ask clarifying questions about dates or preferences5, and you’ll see a live play-by-play of every action, including which tool it’s using and what page it’s viewing5.
Crucially, Agent Mode always asks for your confirmation before performing actions with real-world consequences, such as making a purchase or sending an email1. You can pause the process, take over the virtual browser, or stop it entirely. This human-in-the-loop design prevents the AI from running off with your credit card or deleting files by mistake3.
What can it do? Real-world use cases
- Competitor and market research: Analyse competitors’ pricing, features and reviews across several websites, then compile a spreadsheet report with tables and comparisons — perfect for preparing proposals or marketing strategies5.
- Trip planning and bookings: Search travel sites, compare flights and hotels, and assemble itineraries for complex trips. You still approve before booking5.
- Presentation generation: Gather data, generate charts and images, and build a slide deck — saving time by handling the initial groundwork4.
- Email and message automation: Draft personalised emails or messages based on templates, then prompt you for approval before sending5.
- Data processing and spreadsheets: Clean data, update contact lists, summarise project statuses, and perform simple data analysis tasks5. OpenAI says its agent scored 89.9% on data analysis tasks in internal benchmarks, out-performing humans in certain tests3.
- Web automation: Search websites, filter products, and check shipping details — though actions remain in the agent’s sandbox6.
In my web-development world, I see huge potential for tasks like collating plugin comparisons, collecting design inspiration, aggregating SEO keyword performance, or drafting proposal documents — all of which can eat up hours but are easy to delegate.
Strengths – and why it feels like having an intern
Reviewers often compare ChatGPT Agent Mode to a day-one intern. The Verge tested the feature and wrote, “Think of OpenAI’s new ChatGPT Agent as a day-one intern who’s incredibly slow at every task but will eventually get the job done”6. That description might sound negative, but it captures the reality: the agent handles tedious tasks, freeing you to focus on high-value work.
Autonomy and combined tools
Because it can plan, reason and act, the agent is far more than a text generator. OpenAI’s team unified Deep Research and Operator to allow the agent to choose the best tool for each step — from parsing articles to clicking buttons to running code2. All tools share a file system, so the agent can switch tasks without losing context2.
Multitasking and iteration
Agent Mode is built for multi-turn conversations and long projects. It retains state across sessions, so you can ask for deeper research and follow-up without starting over — much like asking an intern to refine their work after review2.
Transparency and safety
Every action occurs in a sandbox that’s visible to you. The agent logs each step, and you can take over at any time. High-risk actions are restricted, and confirmation prompts are built in to prevent mistakes1.
Limitations and caveats
- Speed: Tasks can take several minutes or more — acceptable for background work, but not for real-time needs65.
- Glitches and misreports: Actions in the virtual environment may not reflect in your own accounts6.
- Usage caps and cost: Each confirmation counts toward your monthly limit4.
- No API integration in the consumer version: Developers must use the Agents API for embedding in products4.
- Security and privacy: The agent uses your credentials, so you must manage permissions carefully7.
- Limited regional availability: Not yet available in all countries5.
Best practices for using Agent Mode
- Write detailed prompts with clear outcomes and constraints5.
- Use watch mode for sensitive actions1.
- Limit connectors and log out when done7.
- Avoid high-stakes tasks like banking transactions6.
- Iterate — treat the agent like a human teammate2.
Why this matters for Belknap Mountain Web Services
At Belknap Mountain Web Services, we pride ourselves on delivering high-quality digital experiences. Agent Mode can boost productivity through client research, automated testing, content/SEO support, and rapid prototyping — all without replacing human creativity41.
A glimpse into the future
ChatGPT Agent Mode is still evolving, but it marks a shift from AI as a conversation partner to AI as a true collaborator2. Future versions may include memory, better personalization, and the ability to spawn sub-agents2.
As with any new technology, we must balance enthusiasm with caution. Security experts stress that granting an AI access to your accounts introduces risks, and proper governance is essential7. But when used thoughtfully, ChatGPT Agent Mode offers a glimpse of how AI can augment our capabilities. It’s like welcoming a new intern to the team — one who works tirelessly, never sleeps, and (with the right guidance) can help Belknap Mountain Web Services deliver even more for our clients.
Let’s embrace this AI intern, lean into its strengths, and continue building amazing things together.