ChatGPT Projects vs Custom GPTs (2026): What to Use Now

Everyday AI Guides

Last verified: November 3, 2026, against OpenAI Help Center

Quick Answer: Projects or Custom GPTs?

Use a ChatGPT Project for any ongoing piece of work, like a job search, a class, a client, or a home renovation. A project keeps its chats, files, instructions, and memory together, and you can share it.

Don’t start new Custom GPTs. OpenAI is retiring Custom GPTs on December 11, 2026 (February 11, 2027 for FedRAMP and approved deferrals). New GPT creation is already off on Free, Go, Plus, and Pro. If you rely on a GPT, migrate it to a plugin before the deadline using My GPTs → Migrate to plugin.

Side-by-Side Comparison (November 2026)

	Project	Custom GPT	Plugin
Status	Current, available on all plans	Retiring Dec 11, 2026	Current replacement for reusable GPTs
Best for	One evolving body of work	Existing workflows until you migrate	A repeatable workflow you or others reuse anywhere
Instructions	Project instructions (override your global custom instructions inside the project)	GPT instructions	Skills (a migrated GPT’s instructions become a skill)
Files	Free 5, Go/Plus 25, Pro/Business/Enterprise/Edu 40 per project	Knowledge files	Reference files
Memory	Default or project-only memory	No project memory	Not project-based
Sharing	Invite collaborators with Chat or Edit access	Link or workspace sharing (until retirement)	Starts private after migration
Create new?	Yes, unlimited projects	No on personal plans; Enterprise creation ended Oct 26, 2026	Yes, with @plugin-creator

How to Set Up a ChatGPT Project the Right Way

Create it. In the sidebar, choose New project, name it, and pick an icon and color.

Choose memory before your first chat. Choose Project-only if the project should ignore your other chats, which is good for client work or anything sensitive. Shared projects always use project-only memory. Project-only memory also turns off ChatGPT Work inside that project.

Add instructions. Open ••• → Project settings and write rules that apply only here, such as tone, format, audience, and what to avoid.

Add files and sources. Upload up to 10 files at a time, add Google Drive files or Slack channel links as sources, or save a great answer with Add to project sources.

Move existing chats in. Use the chat’s ••• menu to move it into the project. Chats made with a custom GPT can’t be moved into a project, but you can call a GPT inside a project chat.

Example: a job search project Instructions: “I’m applying for entry-level UX roles in Chicago. Keep cover letters under 250 words, US English, no buzzwords. Always ask which job posting before drafting.” Files: résumé, portfolio summary, 3 saved job posts. Memory: Project-only. Every new chat in the project already knows the context, so you never paste your résumé again.

Sharing a Project: Chat vs Edit Access

Collaborator can…	Chat access	Edit access
View and continue project chats	Yes	Yes
Change instructions and files	No	Yes
Invite others	No	Yes
Remove members	No	No (owner only)

Collaborator limits per project are 5 on Free, 10 on Go and Plus, and 100 on Pro and in workspaces. Shared projects can’t see anyone’s personal memories, custom instructions, or outside chats. Keep that in mind before uploading anything private; see what not to share with ChatGPT.

If You Have a Custom GPT: The Migration in 6 Steps

Deadline: December 11, 2026

That is the retirement date for Custom GPTs on most plans. The plugin migration copies only the latest published version of your GPT, so publish your final edits first.

Export what won’t transfer. Copy down the GPT’s chosen model and any custom actions (API schemas, auth setup). Neither carries over.

Publish your latest version. Unpublished drafts are left behind.

Migrate. Open My GPTs, find the GPT, and choose Migrate to plugin. Instructions become a skill, knowledge files become reference files, and connected apps come along.

Test the plugin privately. New plugins start private. Run your 3-5 most common requests and compare the answers with the old GPT.

Rebuild actions. Recreate custom actions as an app or extension, or with @plugin-creator.

Share and tell users. Share the plugin, then point users to it. The original GPT becomes read-only and can’t be removed by its creator after migration, but past conversations stay available.

Choose a Project if…

The work continues for days or weeks.
Files and notes keep growing.
You want past chats in this topic to inform new ones.
A few teammates need to work in the same space.

Choose a Plugin if…

You run the same workflow across many unrelated chats.
Other people should be able to install and reuse it.
It needs connected apps or a packaged skill.

Common Problems and Fixes

Problem	Fix
“Move to project” is missing for a chat	It’s probably a GPT chat, which can’t be moved. Start a new chat inside the project. See Move to project missing.
Project answers pull in unrelated personal details	The project uses default memory. Start a new project and choose project-only memory when you create it. See changing project memory.
Can’t add more files	You hit your plan’s per-project file limit. Merge small files or remove old ones. See ChatGPT file upload limits.
Can’t create a new GPT	Creation is off on personal plans. Build a plugin with @plugin-creator.
Migrated plugin acts differently	The GPT’s chosen model and custom actions didn’t transfer. Set expectations in the skill and rebuild actions.
Removed a project by mistake	Removing a project is permanent, though files saved to your Library remain. Export important chats first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are ChatGPT Projects replacing Custom GPTs?

Not directly. Projects replace “a GPT for one ongoing job.” Plugins replace reusable GPTs. Custom GPTs retire on December 11, 2026.

Can I still use my Custom GPT today?

Yes, existing GPTs work until retirement, but you can’t create new ones on personal plans.

How many projects can I have?

There’s no project count limit. File and collaborator limits apply per project and depend on your plan.

Do project instructions override my custom instructions?

Yes. Inside a project, project instructions take priority over your global custom instructions. See custom instructions examples.

Can I use a GPT inside a project?

Yes. You can call a GPT in a project chat, but you can’t move an existing GPT conversation into a project.

What doesn’t carry over when I migrate a GPT to a plugin?

The chosen model and custom actions. Instructions, knowledge files, and connected apps do carry over.

Related Guides

Sources checked November 3, 2026 Projects in ChatGPT, Custom GPT retirement FAQ, Creating and editing GPTs, and Plugins in ChatGPT and Codex. Limits, dates, and menus can change after publication.

Independent publication notice: Designs24hr is not affiliated with or endorsed by OpenAI. ChatGPT and related product names are used descriptively to identify the products discussed. This guide provides general educational information and does not replace your organization’s privacy, security, legal, or data-handling policies.

This article was created with the help of AI, one of the many ways AI is making useful knowledge easier for everyone to create and access. It is provided for educational purposes only, to help readers understand and use AI tools better.