ChatGPT for macOS can now edit code directly in popular IDEs

Now ChatGPT joins the party with a new feature that will not go unnoticed. The latest version of its application for macOS allows users to edit code directly in their favorite development environments, such as Xcode, VS Code, and JetBrains. This feature is designed to make programming tasks easier, eliminating unnecessary steps and improving efficiency.

With the option to activate an “auto-apply” mode, ChatGPT can make edits without the user having to click on each action. This represents a very useful advancement that changes the way developers grapple with code. For subscribers of ChatGPT Plus, Pro, and Team, the code editing feature has been available since Thursday after a simple app update. Users of Enterprise, Edu, and those with free accounts will be able to access this tool next week.

One step further in artificial intelligence for developers

This advancement is not a coincidence. The ability to edit code directly is based on the “working with applications” feature that ChatGPT launched in beta in November 2024. This functionality allows users to read and modify code within development environments, eliminating the need to copy and paste between applications. Now, ChatGPT positions itself as a direct competitor to assisted coding tools like Cursor and GitHub Copilot.

Amid a growing interest in AI-powered coding assistants, a recent study by GitHub revealed that most respondents already use some tool of this kind. According to Jared Friedman, partner at Y Combinator, a quarter of the startups in his current cohort have 95% of their codebases generated by artificial intelligence. However, this boom does not come without its challenges.

Despite their advantages, AI-assisted coding tools also present security, copyright, and reliability risks. A study by the software company Harness indicates that many developers spend more time debugging AI-generated code than that produced by humans. On the other hand, a report from Google suggests that while AI can streamline code reviews, this could compromise stability in deliveries.