Getting Started with Atlas

Installation Process

Installing Atlas is straightforward and follows standard macOS application installation procedures.

Step-by-Step Installation

1. Visit the Official Download Page

   Navigate to OpenAI's official website and locate the Atlas download page. Always download from official sources to ensure security.

2. Download the Installer

   Click the download button to get the ChatGPT-Atlas.dmg file. The download is approximately 200-300MB depending on the version.

3. Open the DMG File

   Once downloaded, double-click the DMG file to mount it. A window will appear showing the Atlas application icon.

4. Drag to Applications

   Drag the ChatGPT Atlas icon to your Applications folder. This copies the app to your system.

5. Launch Atlas

   Open your Applications folder and double-click ChatGPT Atlas to launch it for the first time.

6. Grant Permissions

   macOS may show a security prompt. Click "Open" to confirm you want to run the application.

Initial Setup Wizard

When you first launch Atlas, you'll go through a brief setup process to configure the browser and connect your ChatGPT account.

Setup Steps

Importing from Other Browsers

Atlas can automatically import your data from other browsers installed on your Mac. During setup, select your previous browser from the list and choose what to import:

• Bookmarks and favorites
• Saved passwords
• Browsing history
• Autofill data (addresses, payment methods)
• Extensions (Chrome extensions only)

Interface Tour

Let's walk through Atlas's main interface elements and what they do.

Main Interface Components

1. Address Bar (Omnibox)

Located at the top of the window, the address bar serves multiple purposes:

• Enter URLs to navigate to websites
• Search the web with your default search engine
• See page security information (click the lock icon)
• Access AI suggestions and quick actions

2. Navigation Controls

Standard browser controls are located to the left of the address bar:

• Back/Forward: Navigate through your browsing history
• Reload: Refresh the current page
• Home: Return to your home page (if set)

3. Tab Bar

Manage multiple pages with tabs across the top of the window:

• Click the "+" button to open a new tab
• Drag tabs to reorder them
• Right-click for tab options (pin, close others, etc.)
• Use Cmd+T to open new tabs quickly

4. AI Sidebar

The distinguishing feature of Atlas appears on the right side:

• Toggle visibility with the sidebar button or Cmd+Shift+A
• Ask questions about the current page
• Request summaries, extractions, or comparisons
• Draft content with AI assistance

5. Toolbar

Quick access to common features on the right side of the address bar:

• Extensions: Access installed extensions
• Bookmarks: View and manage bookmarks
• Profile: Account settings and profile switching
• Menu: Access all browser features and settings

Essential Keyboard Shortcuts

Master these shortcuts to navigate Atlas more efficiently.

Using the AI Sidebar

The AI sidebar is Atlas's signature feature. Here's how to make the most of it.

Basic AI Interactions

Asking Questions

1. Navigate to any web page
2. Open the AI sidebar (Cmd+Shift+A)
3. Type your question or request in the text field
4. Press Enter or click the send button

Advanced AI Features

Page Summarization

Click the "Summarize" button in the sidebar to get an instant summary of the current page. You can adjust the summary length (brief, standard, detailed) in the settings.

Content Extraction

Use natural language to extract specific information: "Find all email addresses," "List the product features," or "What's the author's conclusion?"

Multi-Tab Analysis

With multiple tabs open, ask Atlas to compare or synthesize information: "Compare the prices across my open shopping tabs" or "Summarize the key differences between these three articles."

Configuring Settings

Customize Atlas to match your preferences through the Settings panel.

Accessing Settings

Click the three-dot menu icon (⋮) in the top-right corner, then select "Settings," or use the shortcut Cmd+,

Key Settings Categories

Appearance

• Choose between light, dark, or system theme
• Adjust font size for better readability
• Customize toolbar button visibility
• Set homepage and new tab page behavior

Privacy & Security

• Configure cookie and tracker blocking
• Manage site permissions (camera, microphone, location)
• Set up HTTPS-only mode
• Control AI data processing preferences

AI Assistant

• Adjust AI proactivity level (passive, balanced, proactive)
• Choose AI model (if multiple available for your tier)
• Set sidebar default state (open/closed)
• Configure AI response length preferences

Search Engine

• Select default search engine (Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo, etc.)
• Add custom search engines
• Manage search suggestions

Managing Bookmarks and History

Creating Bookmarks

1. Navigate to the page you want to bookmark
2. Click the star icon in the address bar, or press Cmd+D
3. Choose a folder and edit the name if desired
4. Click "Save"

Organizing Bookmarks

Open the Bookmark Manager (Cmd+Option+B) to:

• Create folders to organize bookmarks
• Drag and drop bookmarks between folders
• Edit bookmark names and URLs
• Delete unwanted bookmarks
• Search through all your bookmarks

Viewing History

Access your browsing history by pressing Cmd+Y or through the menu. You can:

• Search your entire browsing history
• Filter by date or time period
• Delete specific items or entire time periods
• Clear all history from Settings → Privacy

Installing Extensions

Extend Atlas's functionality with Chrome Web Store extensions.

Installation Steps

1. Visit the Chrome Web Store (chrome.google.com/webstore)
2. Search for the extension you want
3. Click "Add to Chrome" (it will work with Atlas)
4. Confirm the permissions when prompted
5. The extension icon will appear in your toolbar

Managing Extensions

Access extension management through Menu → Extensions, or type chrome://extensions in the address bar:

• Enable or disable extensions temporarily
• Remove extensions you no longer need
• Configure extension settings and permissions
• Pin frequently used extensions to the toolbar

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Atlas Won't Launch

• Ensure your macOS version meets the minimum requirements
• Try right-clicking and selecting "Open" to bypass Gatekeeper
• Check if your antivirus software is blocking the application
• Reinstall Atlas if problems persist

AI Sidebar Not Working

• Verify you're signed into your ChatGPT account
• Check your internet connection
• Ensure your ChatGPT subscription is active (if applicable)
• Try signing out and signing back in

Performance Issues

• Close unnecessary tabs (keep under 20 active tabs)
• Disable resource-intensive extensions
• Clear browsing data (cache, cookies)
• Restart Atlas
• Check Activity Monitor for other resource-heavy apps

Pages Not Loading

• Check your internet connection
• Try disabling extensions to rule out conflicts
• Clear cache and cookies for the specific site
• Verify the website is not down (try in another browser)

Getting Help and Support

If you need assistance beyond this guide, several resources are available.

Official Resources

• Help Center: help.openai.com has comprehensive documentation
• Community Forum: Connect with other Atlas users
• Support Contact: Reach OpenAI support through your account
• Status Page: Check for service outages or issues

Reporting Bugs

Found a bug? Report it through Menu → Help → Report Issue. Include:

• Detailed description of the problem
• Steps to reproduce the issue
• Your macOS version and Atlas version
• Screenshots if relevant

Next Steps

Now that you're set up with Atlas, here are some suggested next steps:

1. Import your bookmarks from your previous browser
2. Install your essential extensions
3. Experiment with the AI sidebar on different types of content
4. Customize settings to match your preferences
5. Set Atlas as your default browser (in macOS System Settings)
6. Explore advanced features like multi-tab comparison