OpenAI's Sottiaux: dots will add GPT-6.1 Terra and more models

OpenAI plans to run its always-on ChatGPT agents, called dots, on more than one model. Tibo Sottiaux, who works on Codex and ChatGPT at OpenAI, posted on X on 2 November that the company is “working on expanding the family of frontier models that power dots, including GPT-6 Astra and GPT-6.1 Terra and some others in the future.”

He added that Terra “will help us bring dots to more people.” The post is a preview from an OpenAI staff member, not a release note. It gives no date, no price and no list of new plans that would get dots.

What dots are today

OpenAI introduced dots as agents that keep working toward a user’s goals between conversations. Each one has its own cloud computer and can connect to more than 4,000 apps through plugins. At launch they were powered by GPT-6 Astra, OpenAI’s most capable model, and rolled out to Pro and Business Premium users in eligible markets, with an Enterprise beta that admins switch on. OpenAI said at the time that it planned to expand dots to more users soon.

Why Terra matters for access

GPT-6.1 Terra is OpenAI’s faster, cheaper model for computer use and writing. OpenAI’s launch post says its standard API prices are 50% lower than those of GPT-5.6 Terra and GPT-6.1 Sol, and that a ChatGPT plan’s usage allowance covers substantially more tasks with Terra than with GPT-6 Astra. Those are OpenAI’s own figures, not independent tests.

The OpenAI Help Center release notes list Terra as available in the API, ChatGPT Work and Codex since 26 October, but not in ChatGPT Chat. A cheaper model doing part of the work is the most plausible way for OpenAI to offer always-on agents beyond its top plans, which is the link Sottiaux draws. In a follow-up post he said a dot will choose the best model for each task and can draw on different models for different parts of the work.

What is still unknown

• Who gets access. The post does not say which plans or regions will be added.
• Timing. “Working on” means the change has not shipped. There is no Help Center note for it yet.
• Billing. It is not clear how usage allowances will count when a dot mixes Astra and Terra.

Readers following OpenAI’s agent products can find earlier coverage on the AI agents hub and the OpenAI hub.

This report is not legal, financial, or health advice. See the disclaimer.