Windows ChatGPT Work: Permissions selector disappears and node_repl is unavailable

ChatGPT Bugs
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1

On 2 October 2026, I encountered this problem in three ChatGPT Work chats on Windows.

Observed behavior

  1. I started a Work chat.
  2. The permissions selector disappeared after the chat started.
  3. The assistant reported that node_repl was unavailable.
  4. Shell commands worked, but computer control was unavailable.
  5. The assistant could not control the mouse, keyboard, or application windows.

A separate diagnostic task also confirmed that node_repl was absent from its available tools.

Expected behavior
The permissions selector should remain available after a chat starts. If computer control cannot start, the application should show a clear error and a recovery step.

Installed versions

  • OpenAI.Codex Windows package: 26.930.2377.0
  • Bundled codex-cli: 0.159.0-alpha.12.1
  • Computer Use plugin: 26.930.21537

Diagnostic results
Local startup logs contain two errors on 2 October 2026, at 11:49:40.642Z and 11:49:43.055Z.

Event: mcp_extension_tool_discovery_failed
Server: node_repl
Error: “MCP startup failed: The system cannot find the path specified. (os error 3)”

These errors occurred before the three affected chat reports. The reports were recorded at approximately 12:24, 12:31, and 12:38 UTC.

The configured executable existed when checked. Its Node and Codex dependencies also existed. These checks did not identify a supported local fix. No settings were changed during the checks.

I do not know whether the missing permissions selector and the node_repl failure have the same cause. The earlier log errors do not establish the cause of every affected chat.

I have submitted in-app feedback.

Is this a known Windows issue? Is there a supported workaround?

image(20261002-124648)
image(20261002-124648)1283×871 24.5 KB

The above screenshot shows the computer use permission selector disappearing as well as the error that node_repl is not available.

@OpenAI_Support

2

Having the same problem here I don’t know how we can solve this. Are you able to attach files and he can read them properly ?

3

Yes. I can attach files. The problem with node_repl and permissions remain. I wonder why only few of us are experiencing this issue.

I am just using dots from here on because it has its own cloud computer. Really disappointed with OpenAI and how they are sabotaging their product with stupid bugs. The whole new redesign was so unnecessary, though they fixed the sidebar thing in chatgpt web. In the app ,you cant access project work chats easily !

4

But now with dots 100 you have to pay 5x more the sub I mean, ridiculous to say the least. Plus I still have this problem on work side, codex running 100% but work side still no attachments and computer use disabled for no reason. What a thing. I was wrapping around into this so bad and now… What a shame, might have to downgrade to free after all. All they are worried about is to get you to pay more monthly. Makes absolutly no sense for me.

5

By the way with dots you can still chose the base agent and speed correct ?

6

Yes you can choose the model and speed. Dots is like an orchestrator. The agents it spawns and their models is in your control. I think Dots itself is powered by Astra