ChatGPT Atlas introduces resizable sidebar and reorderable vertical tabs
When OpenAI rolled out the latest UI refresh for ChatGPT Atlas, the change felt intentional. The chat itself hasn’t shifted - your messages still land where they always have - but the surrounding panels now give you a few more knobs to turn. It isn’t a new model under the hood; it’s more about how you set up your workspace.
Developers have hinted the tweak is meant to ease the cramped feeling of multi-prompt sessions, especially for power users who keep several threads open at once. At the same time, the redesign pushes the product into a niche usually occupied by browsers that let you shape the window however you like. I’ve seen a handful of reviewers point out the visual echo of tools that favor vertical navigation.
Still, it’s unclear how far the customization really goes, does it live up to what seasoned users expect from a dedicated browser? The proof, for now, lives in the new sidebar layout and the way tabs are handled.
Similar to Arc, you can resize the sidebar on ChatGPT Atlas, as well as reorder your tabs. The new sidebar still isn't as full-featured as Arc's, however, and the address bar remains at the top of your screen. You can try out vertical tabs on ChatGPT Atlas by right-clicking inside the address bar, hovering over "Tab Style," and then choosing "Vertical Tabs." Along with this change, you can now set Google as your default search engine, which makes sense since using the browser sometimes feels like Googling with extra steps.
OpenAI’s new layout puts vertical tabs in a left-hand sidebar, and you can drag or resize them whenever you like. It feels a lot like Arc’s setup, except the address bar stays glued to the top - a noticeable break from that competitor’s look. There’s also a tiny toggle that lets you switch the default search engine to Google, which should make the browser a bit more flexible.
If you right-click inside the address bar you can reorder tabs; some people might find that handy. The sidebar, however, isn’t as packed with features as Arc’s, and a few elements are still undocumented, so its real usefulness is a bit fuzzy. In my quick tests the resize handles moved smoothly, but I’m not sure they’ll behave the same on high-DPI screens or multi-monitor rigs.
All in all, the update adds a fresh visual twist without rewriting core navigation. Whether these tweaks will actually boost productivity or just serve as a cosmetic option remains to be seen. For now you can stick with the classic top-tab layout if that feels safer.
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Common Questions Answered
How does the new resizable sidebar in ChatGPT Atlas work?
The sidebar can be dragged to adjust its width, allowing users to allocate more or less screen space for conversation threads. This functionality mirrors similar features in browsers like Arc, though it remains less feature‑rich than Arc's implementation.
What steps are required to enable vertical tabs in ChatGPT Atlas?
To activate vertical tabs, right‑click inside the address bar, hover over "Tab Style," and select "Vertical Tabs" from the menu. Once enabled, the tabs appear in a left‑hand sidebar where they can be reordered and resized.
Can users change the default search engine in ChatGPT Atlas, and if so, to what?
Yes, users can toggle the default search engine to Google via the settings menu. This addition expands the browser’s flexibility and aligns with common user preferences for search functionality.
What is the process for reordering tabs in the new ChatGPT Atlas interface?
Tabs can be reordered by right‑clicking inside the address bar and selecting the reorder option, then dragging the tabs to the desired position within the vertical tab column. This shortcut streamlines workflow for power users handling multiple conversations.
How does the vertical tab layout in ChatGPT Atlas differ from Arc's design?
While both platforms place vertical tabs in a left‑hand sidebar, ChatGPT Atlas keeps the address bar anchored at the top of the screen, unlike Arc where the address bar integrates with the sidebar. This design choice maintains a familiar top‑bar navigation while still offering flexible tab management.