ChatGPT 5.6 Full Feature Explanation
"ChatGPT 5.6" does not refer to just a single model or a single chat screen.
Current ChatGPT is largely composed of the following elements:
- GPT-5.6: The brain that understands and reasons through text, code, documents, images, and web information.
- Chat: Handles questions, consultations, writing, searching, learning, and image generation.
- Work: Uses multiple apps, files, browsers, and plugins to advance work toward a finished product.
- Codex: Handles software development, code editing, local files, CLI, and technical plugins.
- Plugins: Adds connections to external services and specialized work procedures.
- Sites: Saves, shares, and publishes content created with ChatGPT or Codex as websites or web apps.
OpenAI explains the current ChatGPT as a configuration where you use "Chat" for questions and daily assistance, "Work" for moving tasks from start to finish, and "Codex" for technical work, all in one place.
2. GPT-5.6 Model Lineup
2-1. GPT-5.6 Sol
GPT-5.6 Sol is the high-performance model at the heart of the GPT-5.6 family.
It is primarily suited for tasks such as:
- Complex coding
- Analysis of long documents
- Research using multiple information sources
- Strategic planning
- Scientific reasoning
- Cybersecurity
- Computer operations
- Design decisions
- Multi-step tasks spanning several hours
- Production across documents, tables, slides, and web apps
GPT-5.6 Sol is used as Medium, High, and Extra High in the model selection screen for applicable plans.
Use Case
A corporate planning manager uploads 20 competitor documents, three years of sales data, and customer surveys, and requests:
Organize market changes across the documents and analyze our strengths and weaknesses. Separate facts from hypotheses and summarize 8 points for discussion at the management meeting.
Medium is for standard analysis, High for more thorough comparisons, and Extra High for long-duration analysis involving many constraints and documents.
2-2. GPT-5.6 Sol Pro
GPT-5.6 Sol Pro is for particularly difficult tasks and long-duration workflows within the GPT-5.6 family.
Examples include:
- Analysis of large-scale codebases
- Specialized research using numerous papers
- High-precision management documents
- System design satisfying multiple constraints simultaneously
- Tasks requiring repeated verification and correction
- Long project planning and deliverable creation
Sol Pro is utilized for "Pro" reasoning in applicable plans.
Use Case
For an M&A target company, cross-reference financial documents, news, industry materials, product info, and customer reviews to create:
- Investment hypotheses
- Major risks
- Synergy proposals
- Competitor comparisons
- 100-day plan
- Management meeting slides
- Detailed list of verification items
It is suited for work that finds contradictions between documents and identifies points requiring further confirmation, rather than simple summarization.
2-3. Instant, Medium, High, Extra High, Pro
The meaning of the model selection screen can be understood as follows:
- Instant: Fast responses via GPT-5.5 Instant. Suited for daily questions, short emails, translation, and simple summaries.
- Medium: Standard reasoning via GPT-5.6 Sol. Suited for general analysis, planning, document creation, and code.
- High: GPT-5.6 Sol reasons for a longer duration. Suited for complex comparisons, strategy, and design.
- Extra High: The maximum reasoning capacity available for Sol. For massive documents or difficult tasks.
- Pro: Uses GPT-5.6 Sol Pro. For the most challenging research, development, and critical deliverables.
In applicable paid plans, there is a setting to automatically switch to Medium if a question is complex, even if Instant is selected.
2-4. GPT-5.6 Terra and Luna
Terra and Luna are models primarily used in Work, Codex, and API, rather than being directly selected in normal Chat.
- Terra: A balance of performance, speed, and cost. Suited for daily operations and bulk processing.
- Luna: The fastest and lowest-cost model in the GPT-5.6 family. Suited for classification, extraction, simple conversion, and high-volume repetitive tasks.
Voice
Voice allows real-time conversation with ChatGPT. Key uses include language practice, presentation rehearsal, interview prep, and hands-free consultation.
9. Voice with Video
Voice with Video uses the smartphone camera to consult ChatGPT while showing it the situation in front of you. Available on mobile for Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Edu plans.
10. Study Mode
Study Mode supports understanding through questions, hints, and step-by-step explanations rather than just giving the answer immediately.
11. Memory
Memory reflects continuous information about the user in future conversations. It includes "Saved Memories" (explicitly taught) and "Reference Chat History" (contextual reference).
12. Projects
Projects is a workspace that bundles chats, files, instructions, and app links related to long-term work. It has its own dedicated Memory to maintain context over time.
13. Canvas
Canvas is a workspace that displays text or code next to the chat for partial editing and modification. It supports version history and exporting to Word/PDF.
14. Scheduled Tasks
Scheduled Tasks allows setting up one-time or recurring jobs, such as morning news checks or weekly KPI reports.
15. Custom GPTs
Custom GPTs are specialized versions of ChatGPT configured with specific instructions, knowledge files, and tools for a particular purpose.
16. Agent Mode
Agent Mode is a feature where ChatGPT executes specific tasks on the web while reasoning. It can navigate websites, find information, and edit spreadsheets.
17. GPT Plugins
On July 9, 2026, the App Directory transitioned to the Plugin Directory. Plugins are now business packages combining Apps (connections), Skills (procedures), and App Templates.
18. HyperFrames Plugin
HyperFrames is a video production plugin primarily used in Codex. It creates video projects using HTML/CSS/GSAP, allowing for precise control over text, shapes, data, and subtitles.
19. HeyGen Plugin
HeyGen converts ChatGPT conversations and scripts into videos featuring human avatars. It allows for previewing production plans and making revisions within the chat.
20. HyperFrames vs. HeyGen
- HyperFrames: Best for accurate text/data, moving graphs, strict branding, and code-based management.
- HeyGen: Best for avatar-led explanations, quick script-to-video conversion, and social media content.
21. Canva Plugin
Allows creating, previewing, and editing Canva designs within ChatGPT. Supports design reviews, brand checks, translation, and resizing for social media.
22-25. Specialized Plugins
- Creative Production: For marketing assets and display ads.
- Product Design: For user flow audits and clickable prototypes.
- Data Analytics: For KPI design and root cause analysis using tools like Snowflake or Tableau.
- Sales: For account prioritization and CRM updates (Salesforce/HubSpot).
27. ChatGPT Work
ChatGPT Work is an agent that takes a goal, gathers information, breaks down tasks, and produces deliverables like slides or spreadsheets by coordinating multiple plugins.
28. Codex
Codex is the agent for code and technical tasks, capable of understanding codebases, implementing plans, and using technical plugins like HyperFrames.
29. Sites
Sites allows creating and hosting websites, web apps, and dashboards directly from ChatGPT. It supports data storage via D1 and R2.
30. ChatGPT Remote
Remote allows users to monitor and control Work or Codex tasks running on a desktop from a smartphone.
31. Workspace Agents
Workspace Agents allow Business/Enterprise organizations to create shared agents for repetitive tasks like weekly business reviews or inquiry classification.
Conclusion
The essence of ChatGPT 5.6 is its evolution into a "work execution platform." By integrating research, analysis, planning, production, and publishing into a single workflow, it moves beyond a tool that just answers questions to one that completes entire business processes.
