Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.
ZDNET’s key takeaways
- OpenAI’s Atlas browser is here for Mac users, with Agent mode.
- Agent navigates sites, fills carts, and performs real-world task.
- My quick shopping test shows a lot of potential – and small hurdles.
OpenAI has released its new AI browser, Atlas, but it’s only available to Mac users for now.
I watched the company’s demo this afternoon and immediately had to try it, being a Mac user myself. The new browser combines what seems like 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 perform tasks for you.
(Disclosure: Ziff Davis, ZDNET’s parent company, filed an April 2025 lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.)
Also: How to use ChatGPT: A beginner’s guide to the most popular AI chatbot
I wanted to see how far this could go, so I put Agent to work on something I’d normally do myself: ordering groceries and hardware supplies from Walmart for same-day delivery.
Trying Atlas with Agent for errands
During OpenAI’s demo, CEO Sam Altman and other executives showed off Agent mode by asking ChatGPT to read a recipe, then order the ingredients for eight people from Safeway via Instacart — all without anyone having to click a thing. It was 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 figured it would make the perfect test case for Atlas and Agent mode. To keep things simple, though, I decided to just buy a few items instead of the 50-plus products I usually order during my weekly grocery deliveries.
Also: ChatGPT can buy stuff for you now – forever changing online shopping
After downloading Atlas, the 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 below. OpenAI said these suggestions will get better over time based on my browsing habits and usage data.
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
I toggled on Agent mode, selected the option to stay logged in so ChatGPT could work within my signed-in accounts, and entered my first prompt:
“Order me wood putty, paintable caulk, and 2-inch screws from Walmart.”
Agent immediately took over my Atlas tab — cursor and all — while I sat back and watched. This is where I could probably go do other things and check back in a few minutes, but I wanted to see what Agent would do.
Where things got bumpy
Right away, Agent ran into some hurdles. Walmart’s site threw up a language-selection pop-up that seemed to block Agent from navigating. Despite giving Atlas access to my Chrome data and Keychain, I wasn’t logged into Walmart in the browser, so Agent also didn’t know my location or default store. Without that info, it couldn’t tell which products were in stock for delivery.
Also: ChatGPT wants to act more like an OS – as it transforms into an app platform
I stopped the session, signed into Walmart manually, reselected Agent mode, and refined my prompt:
“Order me 5 wood putty, 5 paintable caulk, and one pack of 2-inch screws. I want them delivered to my house from the Malone, NY, location in an hour.”
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
Agent started over, this time successfully searching and adding items to the cart. But I noticed it wasn’t choosing the brands I usually buy — even though I’d purchased them before. So I tried another refinement to my prompt:
“Order me 5 wood putty, 5 paintable caulk, and one pack of 2-inch screws. I want them delivered to my house from the Malone, NY, location in an hour. I’ve ordered these before, so use my past purchases to find the right products and brands I use.”
This time, it worked.
Agent went to my purchase history in Walmart, searched for the products, found them in my past orders, and loaded up my Walmart cart correctly. When the checkout screen appeared, I only had to select a delivery window, adjust the tip, and confirm payment.
My order is now on its way.
What worked and what’s next
Overall, the experience is half magic, half refining. After adjusting my prompt a few times and manually signing into Walmart, Agent mode understood the task perfectly, interacted with Walmart’s online store, and got me almost all the way to checkout.
Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
It struggled with pop-ups and my shopping preferences when I wasn’t signed in to Walmart and didn’t refer to my purchase history without me telling it to do so directly. Still, for a first-day test, and for being version 1.0, it’s surprisingly capable. I could’ve probably done the order faster myself, sure, but watching ChatGPT Agent actually navigate a live website, click through menus, and build a shopping cart was undeniably cool. The whole experience took me about 10 minutes. Not bad, right?
Also: ChatGPT just saved me 25% off my dinner tonight – here’s how
I can’t wait to see what else I can do. I think it could be awesome to use around the holidays. For instance, I’m already planning to ask it to find the hottest toys for 4-year-olds on Amazon, filter by best sellers and reviews, stick to a budget, and fill out my cart automatically. If it works, it could save me hours of gift-hunting — or at least inspire a few great present ideas.
It’s early days, 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 for everyday users.
Want more stories about AI? Check out AI Leaderboard, our weekly newsletter.
