[Windows][ChatGPT Desktop] Message composer disappears or moves off-screen while Work is running

What issue are you seeing?

In the Windows ChatGPT desktop app, when a Work task is running for a while, the message composer/input section at the bottom of the conversation disappears or is pushed below the visible viewport. The conversation continues to show the live progress state (for example, “Working for 1m 18s” and intermediate work updates), but the message area is no longer visible or reliably reachable.

This makes it difficult or impossible to type or queue a follow-up message while the task is still running.

The attached screenshot shows the reproduced state. (Screenshot not attached here because it contains private conversation content.)

Steps to reproduce

1. Open the ChatGPT desktop app on Windows.
2. Switch to Work mode.
3. Start a task that takes more than a few seconds and produces multiple progress/tool updates.
4. While the task is still running and the UI shows a live status such as “Working”, observe the bottom of the conversation window.
5. The message composer/input section is missing or has moved below the visible viewport.

Actual behavior

The message composer is not persistently anchored to the bottom of the app while Work is running. As the live progress/status content is added or reflowed, the composer can move out of view or disappear.

Expected behavior

The message composer should remain available and anchored at the bottom of the window while a Work task is running. The transcript/progress area should reflow or scroll independently and must reserve enough bottom space for the composer. The composer should never be pushed outside the viewport or overlap/hide conversation content.

Environment

• App: ChatGPT Windows desktop app
• Surface: Work mode
• OS: Windows
• App version: Not captured
• Date observed: 2026-09-04
• Subscription: ChatGPT Plus

Related reports

This appears related to existing Windows desktop reports involving composer overlap, viewport jumps, and completed replies hidden behind the composer:

• #38113 — completed replies can end hidden behind the composer
• #38220 — viewport jumps and composer overlays text
• #41155 — assistant feedback icons overlapped by the floating composer
• #41446 — viewport jumps and large blank area between response and composer

Please investigate the layout/scroll anchoring and bottom safe-area calculation while live Work progress blocks are being inserted or resized.

Start by reproducing the issue in the Windows desktop app with Work mode and a task that emits multiple progress updates. Inspect the conversation viewport and composer behavior while live progress blocks are inserted or resized. Done means the composer remains visible and anchored at the bottom without overlapping or hiding transcript content.