Use a floating pet to notice when a chat is working or needs your attention while you use other apps. Start with a built-in companion, follow one real chat, and learn how to hide it when you want a quieter desktop.
Before you start
- An updated ChatGPT desktop app on macOS or Windows, with Pets available in your account and workspace.
- A small Codex task you can recognize, such as explaining a README in an existing project.
- Access to the main desktop app. The floating controls start chats outside projects, so project work should start in its project.
Want to do it yourself?
- Difficulty
- 2 out of 10
- Estimated completion time
- 10–20 minutes
Skills you’ll need: Choose a companion, adjust its controls, and open the task activity behind it. No coding is required.
How this helps your brand
A visible activity signal can help you notice when project work needs a decision or has a result ready. Opening the actual conversation keeps approvals and review attached to the work rather than inferred from an animation.
Step 1: Choose a built-in companion
Open the profile menu at the bottom of the desktop app and choose Pets, or open Settings > Pets. Select a built-in pet for your first try. Select Mini if you prefer floating chat controls without a character.
A pet changes the appearance of the companion, not how Codex completes your tasks. You do not need to create or import artwork to follow your work.
Step 2: Show the pet beside your other apps
Enter /pet in the app, or open the command menu and choose Show pet. Keep the main app running while you switch to another app.
The default shortcut to show the controls and focus Quick Chat is Option+Space on macOS or Windows+Alt+P on Windows. If your shortcut differs, check Show pet in Settings > Keyboard shortcuts. Pressing it again focuses Quick Chat while keeping the controls open.
Step 3: Start one task from the right place
For the project test, return to your project in the main app, start a Codex chat there, and use the prompt below. This gives the task its project context.
For a general question instead, move over the controls below the pet, select the pencil icon, type a request, and press Enter. Chats started here are outside a project. Do not assume a floating quick chat inherits the project you were viewing.
Illustrated exampleStart the chat where its context livesWhat kind of request are you starting?Work in a project
Main desktop appCafé websiteRead README.md in this project and explain its purpose in three short bullets. Make no changes.Start a Codex chat inside Café website to give it project context.Ask a general question
“What is a README file?”
The pencil starts a chat outside a project.Viewing a project in the main app does not give a floating quick chat that project’s context.
These are illustrated examples, not app screenshots. Start the README test in your intended project; use the floating pencil for a general question outside a project. Step 4: Open the activity behind the animation
Select the bell icon to view chat activity, then select the relevant chat to open its full conversation. Read the reply or approval request there; the pet’s status is a signal to look, rather than a substitute for reviewing the result.
Running means a chat is working. Needs input means it requires an answer, approval, or decision. Ready means completed work has unread activity. Blocked means a chat failed or hit a system error. With several active chats, those needing input take priority, followed by blocked, ready, and running chats.
Tip: A short task may finish before you see Running. Use the bell and conversation to check its outcome.
Illustrated exampleFollow the signal into the conversationOpen the bell to find the chat behind the signal.Example priority · highest first
- 1Needs inputExplain README · answer needed
- 2BlockedCheck links · system error
- 3ReadySummarize notes · unread result
- 4RunningReview menu · working
Open the full conversation
Explain README
Example replyI can’t find README.md in this project. Which file should I read?
Reply with the correct filename here.
Ready means there is a result to read. Open the chat and verify it before treating the task as done.
With several active chats, Needs input takes priority, then Blocked, Ready, and Running. The pet points you toward activity; the full chat contains the question, error, or result to review. - 1
Step 5: Adjust, hide, or restore the controls
To resize the pet, open Settings > Pets > Customize and adjust Pet size. Reset restores the default size. To hide the controls, right-click the pet and choose Hide, choose Hide pet from the command menu or settings, or enter /pet again.
If the controls are unavailable, update the app and check whether your workspace allows pets. If the pet is still rather than animated, check your operating system’s reduced motion setting: pets respect it. Desktop custom pets are local and do not automatically sync to the web.
You're done when
- The chosen pet or Mini controls appear outside the main app window.
- The bell opens your test chat, where you can read and verify its result.
- You can hide and show the controls, and can distinguish Needs input from Ready.
Your prompt
Show promptHide prompt
COPY AND PASTE
Read [README filename] in this project and explain its purpose in three short bullets. Make no changes. Name the file you used and flag anything the README does not explain. If the file is unavailable, tell me what you need.
Paste this in a Codex chat opened from the intended project in the main desktop app, then use the pet’s bell to follow it. Replace the filename first.
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