On October 2, 2026, OpenAI published a guide titled 'Practical tips for getting the best results from GPT-6 models while managing time and cost.' According to OpenAI, GPT-6 is its 'most advanced suite of models yet' and offers different models for different kinds of work. The guide describes three named models: GPT-6 Astra for the hardest reasoning work, GPT-6.1 Sol for complex coding, research and computer use, and GPT-6 Luna for focused tasks at scale such as extracting invoice fields, classifying requests or producing structured summaries. The document frames model choice and reasoning level as an intelligence/price tradeoff, with reasoning effort levels from Low through Extra high/Max selectable in the API. OpenAI states that cached input tokens cost up to 95% less than uncached input tokens, depending on the model, and recommends prompt caching and compaction to manage context and cost. It also outlines Fast and Ultrafast processing modes, the latter available for GPT-6 Astra. The guide advises testing representative tasks before deploying, measuring task success, latency and cost per successful task. It quotes Eric Provencher of OpenAI's Developer Experience team: 'overly specific guidance can now hinder results where it previously helped.'
- Published by OpenAI on October 2, 2026
- Three models named: GPT-6 Astra, GPT-6.1 Sol, GPT-6 Luna
- Cached input tokens cost up to 95% less than uncached, per OpenAI
- Reasoning levels range from Low to Extra high/Max; Fast and Ultrafast modes available
What it means for you
This is OpenAI's own instruction manual for its newest models, aimed at developers putting them into live products. For most non-technical readers and small-business owners, the headline takeaway is simpler: there are now three GPT-6 tiers, and picking a cheaper, lower-effort one for routine work (like sorting emails or extracting invoice fields) can cut costs dramatically. The 95%-cheaper caching figure matters only if you're paying per token through the API, not if you're just using ChatGPT.
Try this
If someone on your team builds with the OpenAI API, ask them whether you're defaulting to the most expensive model when a cheaper tier (Luna) would do the same routine job.
Who should care
Developers and technical teams building apps on the OpenAI API, and small businesses paying for per-token API usage on repetitive tasks.
Skip this if
You use ChatGPT through a normal subscription and don't build on the API — this guide won't change anything for you.
Sources: OpenAI — read the original