---
title: "How To Set Up OpenAI Dots, Your Always-On Personal AI Agent"
description: "Set up an OpenAI Dot in the ChatGPT desktop app. Connect Google, name your Dot, call it from your iPhone, and add it to Slack."
date: 2026-10-04
author: "Mike Murphy"
canonical: "https://mikemurphy.ai/tutorials/openaidots/"
categories: ["Tutorials", "OpenAI", "AI Agents"]
---

What if ChatGPT could keep working for you even when you're not chatting with it?

That's the idea behind OpenAI Dots. In this tutorial, I'm going to show you how to set up your own Dot in the ChatGPT desktop app, connect it to your Google account, give it a name, call it from your phone, and add it to Slack.

## What is an OpenAI Dot?

A Dot is a personal AI agent that runs 24/7. Think of it as a personal assistant or intern that can take action for you, not just answer questions.

Here's what a Dot can do:

- **Run on GPT-6 Astra,** OpenAI's model powering Dots.
- **Use your ChatGPT plugins,** plus Google services like Gmail, Calendar, and Drive.
- **Work on its own cloud computer,** and on your local computer if you allow it.
- **Talk with you anywhere:** chat, voice calls, and Slack. iMessage support is coming in the future.

Your Dot lives in both ChatGPT and Codex, and your conversations sync across every device where you use ChatGPT.

## What you need

- **A ChatGPT Pro plan:** Pro 100, Pro 200, or Pro 500. As of October 2026, Dots are not available on the Go or Plus plans.
- **The [ChatGPT desktop app](https://chatgpt.com/download)** on your computer.
- **A Google account** (optional) to connect Gmail, Calendar, Drive, or Contacts.
- **The ChatGPT iPhone app** (optional) to call your Dot from your phone.
- **A [Slack](https://slack.com) workspace** (optional) to message your Dot in Slack.

## 1. Find your Dot in ChatGPT

Open the ChatGPT desktop app. Look in the top left corner of the sidebar. If your account is on a Pro plan, you'll see your Dot there.

**Don't see your Dot?** Confirm that your account is on a Pro plan, then update the app. Click **ChatGPT** in the menu bar and choose **Check for Updates**.

Click your Dot to start setup. The first screen gives a quick overview. Click **Learn More** if you want to read OpenAI's documentation, or click **Continue**.

## 2. Connect your Google services

Your Dot can use the plugins you already have in ChatGPT. If you connected Google services in ChatGPT or Codex, they'll show as connected here.

To add more:

1. Click **Continue with Google**.
2. Keep toggled on the services you want, such as Calendar, Gmail, Drive, or Contacts. Toggle off any you don't want.
3. Click **Install Selected Plugins**.
4. Sign in and authenticate your Google account.
5. Click **Continue**.

ChatGPT sets up your Dot. This takes a moment.

## 3. Choose where your Dot can work

Your Dot always has its own cloud computer. On this screen, you decide whether it can also use your local computer.

- **Toggle on** to let your Dot work with files and apps on your computer.
- **Toggle off** to keep your Dot on its cloud computer only.

Click **Continue**. Your Dot introduces itself in a new chat. It may already have a suggestion for you. Mine checked my Gmail and offered to schedule an upcoming event.

## 4. Name and customize your Dot

1. Click **Customize Dot**.
2. Choose a color, character, or pet. I went with the owl.
3. Click the name and type a new one. I named mine Oscar.
4. Click **Save**.

To change it later, click your Dot, click the **pencil icon**, make your changes, and click **Save**.

## 5. Chat with or call your Dot

To give your Dot a task, type a message in its chat.

To talk instead, click the **phone icon** in the top right corner to start a call. You can also click your Dot to open its profile popup, which includes a call option. Click the icon in the top right corner to open or close the popup.

If you close your Dot's chat, find it again at the top of the left sidebar.

## 6. Call your Dot from your iPhone

1. Open the ChatGPT app on your iPhone.
2. Tap the menu at the top. Your Dot appears in the list.
3. Tap your Dot to open the same chat you have on your computer.
4. Tap the **phone icon** in the top right corner to call.

Because everything syncs, a message you send from your phone shows up on your computer too. I asked Oscar for a joke from my iPhone and watched him think about it in the desktop app.

## 7. Add your Dot to Slack

1. Open your Dot's profile and click **Slack**.
2. Choose the workspace you want to connect.
3. Click **Add to Slack**, then click **Allow**.

Your Dot now appears in the **Agents and Apps** section of Slack. It has its own Slack profile, so you can message it like any teammate.

To bring your Dot into a channel, open the channel, click **Invite teammates**, search for your Dot's name, and add it.

## Try it out

Ask your Dot something that requires it to look things up on its own. I messaged Oscar in Slack:

```text
When am I going to Franklin next?
```

I didn't tell him to check my calendar. He checked my calendar and travel emails on his own, then told me my next trip is in November, which airline I'm flying, and my dinner plans. Pretty cool, and a little scary.

That's your Dot up and running. Chat with it, call it, or message it in Slack, and start handing off the tasks you'd give a personal assistant.