I let ChatGPT Atlas do my Walmart shopping for me – here’s how the AI browser agent did

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ZDNET’s key takeaways

• OpenAI’s Atlas browser is right here for Mac customers, with Agent mode.
• Agent navigates websites, fills carts, and performs real-world activity.
• My fast buying check reveals quite a lot of potential – and small hurdles.

OpenAI has launched its new AI browser, Atlas, nevertheless it’s solely accessible to Mac customers for now.

I watched the corporate’s demo this afternoon and instantly needed to strive it, being a Mac person myself. The brand new browser combines what looks like one of the best of ChatGPT with a full-featured net interface. And, for Plus and Pro users, it features a highly effective Agent mode that provides ChatGPT the power to take over your browser, click on round, and carry out duties for you.

(Disclosure: Ziff Davis, ZDNET’s guardian firm, filed an April 2025 lawsuit in opposition to OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in coaching and working its AI programs.)

Additionally: How to use ChatGPT: A beginner’s guide to the most popular AI chatbot

I needed to see how far this might go, so I put Agent to work on one thing I might usually do myself: ordering groceries and {hardware} provides from Walmart for same-day supply.

Attempting Atlas with Agent for errands

During OpenAI’s demo, CEO Sam Altman and different executives confirmed off Agent mode by asking ChatGPT to learn a recipe, then order the elements for eight individuals from Safeway through Instacart — all with out anybody having to click on a factor. It was spectacular.

However I stay in a rural space the place Instacart would not exist, and Walmart is likely one of the few native shops that delivers. I figured it will make the proper check case for Atlas and Agent mode. To maintain issues easy, although, I made a decision to simply purchase just a few gadgets as an alternative of the 50-plus merchandise I often order throughout my weekly grocery deliveries.

Additionally: ChatGPT can buy stuff for you now – forever changing online shopping

After downloading Atlas, the setup course of requested me to import Chrome knowledge, use Apple Keychain for passwords, and set it as my default browser. As soon as I accredited these and different permissions, the browser launched. 

The interface jogs my memory of a brand new Google Chrome tab — a easy white web page with a search field within the middle and a few recommendations beneath. OpenAI stated these recommendations will get higher over time primarily based on my shopping habits and utilization knowledge.

I toggled on Agent mode, chosen the choice to remain logged in so ChatGPT might work inside my signed-in accounts, and entered my first immediate: 

“Order me wooden putty, paintable caulk, and 2-inch screws from Walmart.”

Agent instantly took over my Atlas tab — cursor and all — whereas I sat again and watched. That is the place I might in all probability go do different issues and examine again in a couple of minutes, however I needed to see what Agent would do.

The place issues bought bumpy

Instantly, Agent bumped into some hurdles. Walmart’s website threw up a language-selection pop-up that appeared to dam Agent from navigating. Regardless of giving Atlas entry to my Chrome data and Keychain, I wasn’t logged into Walmart within the browser, so Agent additionally did not know my location or default retailer. With out that information, it could not inform which merchandise had been in inventory for supply.

Additionally: ChatGPT wants to act more like an OS – as it transforms into an app platform

I ended the session, signed into Walmart manually, reselected Agent mode, and refined my immediate: 

“Order me 5 wooden putty, 5 paintable caulk, and one pack of 2-inch screws. I need them delivered to my home from the Malone, NY, location in an hour.”

Agent began over, this time efficiently looking out and including gadgets to the cart. However I seen it wasn’t selecting the manufacturers I often purchase — despite the fact that I might bought them earlier than. So I attempted one other refinement to my immediate: 

“Order me 5 wooden putty, 5 paintable caulk, and one pack of 2-inch screws. I need them delivered to my home from the Malone, NY, location in an hour. I’ve ordered these earlier than, so use my previous purchases to search out the suitable merchandise and types I take advantage of.”

This time, it labored. 

Agent went to my buy historical past in Walmart, looked for the merchandise, discovered them in my previous orders, and loaded up my Walmart cart appropriately. When the checkout display appeared, I solely needed to choose a supply window, alter the tip, and make sure fee. 

My order is now on its means.

What labored and what’s subsequent

Total, the expertise is half magic, half refining. After adjusting my immediate just a few instances and manually signing into Walmart, Agent mode understood the duty completely, interacted with Walmart’s on-line retailer, and bought me nearly all the way in which to checkout. 

It struggled with pop-ups and my buying preferences after I wasn’t signed in to Walmart and did not confer with my buy historical past with out me telling it to take action instantly. Nonetheless, for a first-day check, and for being model 1.0, it is surprisingly succesful. I might’ve in all probability accomplished the order quicker myself, positive, however watching ChatGPT Agent truly navigate a stay web site, click on by way of menus, and construct a buying cart was undeniably cool. The entire expertise took me about 10 minutes. Not unhealthy, proper?

Additionally: ChatGPT just saved me 25% off my dinner tonight – here’s how

I can not wait to see what else I can do. I feel it might be superior to make use of across the holidays. As an illustration, I am already planning to ask it to search out the most popular toys for 4-year-olds on Amazon, filter by greatest sellers and critiques, stick with a funds, and fill out my cart robotically. If it really works, it might save me hours of gift-hunting — or no less than encourage just a few nice current concepts.

It is early days, but when OpenAI retains updating Atlas and Agent mode, which it plans to do, they may simply grow to be one of many most useful AI tools accessible for on a regular basis customers.

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