digest
Short Summary
Main recommendation: Use ChatGPT Projects as a dedicated workspace for a recurring task, so each new chat inherits uploaded files and custom instructions without re-prompting. The video demonstrates this with a "Financial Advisor" project built around a sample profit-and-loss CSV, then checks that the model reads the data correctly. It notes that projects are rolling out to free, Plus, and Pro users with no feature difference between Plus and Pro.
Key Points
- Projects are meant for a recurring, specific use case (e.g., marketing or finance), where you return repeatedly and want consistent, data-informed outputs.
- Uploaded files are shared across all chats inside a project, so you don't need to re-attach data each time.
- Project instructions act like custom instructions, forcing consistent formatting or tone (e.g., "add an emoji to every caption") across chats.
- Adding files or instructions limits the model to GPT-4o as of the video's recording, so projects with files will generally run on GPT-4o.
- Existing chats can be moved into a project via the three-dot menu → Add to project, to gain the project's context.
Details Worth Noting
- Concrete instructions:
- Create a project: open Projects, name it (the video uses "Financial Advisor"), and click Create project. To delete, use the three-dot menu → Delete project.
- Pick a color via the project settings (the video chose light blue).
- Add files via "Add files." Supported types shown: PDF, CSV, images, and code files. Excel and Google Sheets were not accepted; convert to CSV first.
- Add instructions via "Instructions." Generate a draft by asking ChatGPT to write custom instructions for your use case, then tailor it. The video's example added: "Please point out any financial red flags or inefficiencies and suggest potential strategies for improvement," and a response-style rule ("Only respond in four sentences").
- Verify the data reading: ask a specific question whose answer is in the file (the video asked "Which year had the highest net sales?" and confirmed the correct answer was 2029 with net sales of $119,218.41, matching the data).
- To carry over an existing chat, open it, choose the three dots → Add to project → select the project.
- File upload limits exist but are not specified by OpenAI; the video speculates you might notice a cap, guessing around 20 PDFs as an example.
- Projects are rolling out gradually, so free users may not see the feature yet.
- Custom GPTs were the predecessor; the video frames projects as a more accessible, one-off-chat alternative that avoids losing older chats.
Bottom Line
Projects are most useful when you front-load a recurring workflow with reference files and instructions, then verify the model against your data before relying on it.
