ChatGPT on macOS is here: Directly edit code with the new app

OpenAI’s ChatGPT has made a significant leap forward with its latest update for macOS, enabling the AI-powered chatbot to directly edit code in various integrated development environments (IDEs) such as Xcode, Visual Studio Code, and JetBrains. This innovative feature is part of the app’s new capabilities that aim to streamline coding processes for developers. By simply activating an optional “auto-apply” mode, users can allow ChatGPT to make edits autonomously, eliminating the need for repeated manual interactions.

Since its rollout, this new functionality has been available to subscribers of ChatGPT Plus, Pro, and Team, as of Thursday. An update is anticipated soon for Enterprise, Edu, and free users, expanding the reach of this powerful tool. Alexander Embiricos, a member of OpenAI’s product team, highlighted in a recent tweet that the Windows version of the ChatGPT app will receive direct code editing capabilities imminently as well.

This direct editing feature builds upon OpenAI’s earlier introduction of the “work with apps” functionality, which debuted in beta in November 2024. This pioneering capability allows ChatGPT to analyze code across selected development environments, vastly reducing reliance on copy-pasting code snippets into the chatbot.

With this enhancement, ChatGPT enters direct competition with established AI coding assistants like GitHub Copilot and Cursor, both of which have enjoyed growing popularity among developers. Recent user surveys indicate that a large percentage of developers are integrating AI tools into their workflows, with notable claims from industry leaders, such as Y Combinator’s Jared Friedman, suggesting one-quarter of startups in the current cohort utilize AI to generate nearly all of their codebases.

Despite the buzz surrounding AI coding tools, challenges related to security, copyright, and overall reliability persist. A recent survey showed that developers often find themselves spending more time debugging AI-generated code than they do with traditionally written code, raising concerns about the technology’s effectiveness in delivering secure and reliable software solutions. Additional reports insist that while AI tools can expedite code reviews and improve documentation processes, they can compromise delivery stability.

OpenAI’s latest update to ChatGPT for macOS not only enhances user experience but also pushes the boundaries of what is possible with AI in programming. It is set to redefine coding practices and coding tool integration while highlighting the evolving landscape of AI-assisted development. As the industry moves forward, the implications of this feature could establish new standards for efficiency and collaboration in software engineering. As announcements of future dedicated products aimed at supporting software engineering surface, the anticipation will only grow around how AI can continuously transform the software development process.