What are Projects in ChatGPT?

Projects in ChatGPT are folders for related work. They group conversations, files and instructions for one topic, so you do not have to repeat background information every time you start a new chat.

A project brings together three things. Chats: all conversations about that topic sit inside the project, so they are easy to find. Files: you can upload documents, such as reports, notes or data, that ChatGPT can refer to in any chat in the project. Instructions: project-specific instructions that apply only to chats in that project, separate from your general custom instructions.

To create a project, look for the new project option in the ChatGPT sidebar, give it a name and optionally a colour or icon. Then add files and instructions in the project settings, and start new chats from inside the project. You can also move existing chats into a project.

Here are some examples of how people use projects:

A content writer creates a project for each client, with brand guidelines and past articles, and instructions like "write in the client's friendly, simple tone."
A student creates one for each subject, uploading notes and the syllabus, with instructions to explain at their level and quiz them.
A job seeker creates a project with their resume and target job descriptions, using it to tailor applications and practise interviews.
A small business owner keeps a project for marketing, with product details, prices and past campaign results.
A developer keeps a project for one codebase, with key files and architecture notes.

Projects work well with memory. ChatGPT can remember context from other chats within the same project, which makes long-running work feel continuous. Depending on settings, project memory can be kept separate from your general memory.

Some tips make projects more useful. Keep each project focused on one area. Update files when information changes, because ChatGPT will use whatever you uploaded, even if it is out of date. Write clear instructions that cover tone, format and goals. And archive or delete projects you no longer need, to keep your sidebar clean.

On team and business plans, projects can be shared with colleagues, which helps teams work from the same files and instructions.

If you find yourself pasting the same background information into new chats again and again, that is the clearest sign you should create a project for that work.