Follow ZDNET: Add us as a favorite source On Google.
ZDNET Highlights
- OpenAI’s Atlast Browser is here for Mac users with Agent Mode.
- The agent navigates sites, fills carts, and performs real-world tasks.
- My quick shopping test shows a lot of possibilities – and small obstacles too.
OpenAI has released its new AI browser, Atlas, but it’s only available to Mac users for now.
I saw the company’s demo this afternoon and being a Mac user I immediately had to give it a try. The new browser combines the best of ChatGPT with a full-featured web interface. And, for Plus and Pro users, it includes a powerful Agent Mode that gives ChatGPT the ability to take over your browser, click around, and do tasks for you.
(Disclosure: ZDNET’s parent company Ziff Davis filed a lawsuit against OpenAI in April 2025, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in the training and operation of its AI systems.)
Too: How to Use ChatGPT: A Beginner’s Guide to the Most Popular AI Chatbot
I wanted to see how far it could go, so I set the agent to work I usually did myself: ordering groceries and hardware supplies from Walmart for same-day delivery.
Trying Atlas with an agent for tasks
During the OpenAI demoCEO Sam Altman and other executives showed off agent mode by asking ChatGPIT to read a recipe, then order ingredients for eight people from Safeway through Instacart — all without anyone clicking on it. that’s impressive.
But I live in a rural area where Instacart doesn’t exist, and Walmart is one of the few local stores that delivers. I thought this would be the perfect test case for Atlas and Agent mode. However, to keep things simple, I decided to buy just a few items instead of the over 50 products I usually order during my weekly grocery deliveries.
Too: Chatgpt can now buy stuff for you – forever changing online shopping
after downloading atlasThe setup process asked me to import Chrome data, use Apple Keychain for passwords, and set it as my default browser. Once I approved those and other permissions, the browser launched. The interface reminds me of a new Google Chrome tab – a simple white page with a search box in the center and some suggestions at the bottom. OpenAI said these suggestions will get better over time based on my browsing habits and usage data.
I toggled on agent mode, opted to stay logged in so ChatGPT could work across my signed-in accounts, and entered my first prompt:
“Order me wood putty, paintable caulk, and 2-inch screws from Walmart.”
The agent immediately took possession of my Atlas tab – cursor and all – while I sat back and watched. This is where I could probably do other things and check back in a few minutes, but I wanted to see what the agent would do.
where things got rough
Immediately, the agent faced some obstacles. Walmart’s site displayed a language-selection pop-up that appeared to prevent the agent from navigating. Despite giving Atlas access to my Chrome data and Keychain, I wasn’t logged into Walmart in the browser, so the agent didn’t even know my location or default store. Without that information, it couldn’t tell which products were in stock for delivery.
Too: ChatGPT wants to act like an OS – as it turns into an app platform
I stopped the session, manually signed in to Walmart, selected agent mode again, and refined my prompt:
“Order me a pack of 5 wood putty, 5 paintable caulk and 2-inch screws. I want them delivered to my home from the Malone, NY, location in an hour.”
The agent started again, this time successfully finding the item and adding it to the cart. But I noticed that it wasn’t selecting the brands I usually buy from – even though I’d bought them before. So I tried another modification to my prompt:
“Order me a pack of 5 wood putty, 5 paintable caulk, and 2-inch screws. I want them delivered to my home from the Malone, NY, location in one hour. I’ve ordered these before, so use my past purchases to find the right products and brands I use.”
This time, it worked.
The agent went into my purchase history at Walmart, searched for the products, found them in my previous orders, and loaded my Walmart cart correctly. When the checkout screen appeared, all I had to do was select a delivery window, adjust the tip, and confirm payment.
My order is now on the way.
What worked and what’s next
Overall, the experience is half magical, half sophisticated. After adjusting my prompt a few times and manually signing into Walmart, Agent Mode completely understood the task, interacted with Walmart’s online store, and got me almost all the way to checkout.
When I wasn’t signed in to Walmart it kept popping up and struggling with my shopping preferences and it wouldn’t refer to my purchase history unless I directly asked it to do so. Still, for day one of testing, and being version 1.0, it’s surprisingly capable. Sure, I probably could have ordered faster myself, but it was undeniably cool to see a ChatGPT agent actually navigate a live website, click on a menu, and create a shopping cart. The whole experience took me about 10 minutes. Not bad, right?
Too: ChatGPT saved me 25% off dinner tonight – here’s how
I can’t wait to see what else I can do. I think this could be great to use during the holidays. For example, I’m already planning to ask it to find the most popular toys for 4-year-olds on Amazon, filter by best sellers and reviews, stick to budget, and automatically fill my cart. If it works, it could save me hours of gift-searching — or at least inspire some great present ideas.
It’s early days yet, but if OpenAI keeps updating Atlas and Agent Mode, which it plans to do, they could easily become one of the most useful AI tools available to everyday users.
Want more stories about AI? check out AI LeaderboardOur weekly newspaper.
