ChatGPT Projects
Projects are persistent workspaces in ChatGPT that group related conversations, uploaded files, and a set of custom instructions under a single named context. Instead of re-explaining your role, goals, and background at the start of every conversation, a Project carries all of that context automatically — making every conversation inside it more focused and immediately useful.
What Projects Are
A Project in ChatGPT is a named container for:
- Conversations: All chats you create inside the project are grouped together and accessible from a project view.
- Files: Documents, spreadsheets, code files, and PDFs uploaded to a project persist across all conversations within it — you do not need to re-upload the same reference material each time.
- Custom Instructions: A project-level system prompt that ChatGPT follows for every conversation inside the project, overriding your global custom instructions.
This makes Projects ideal for ongoing work streams: a coding project where ChatGPT always knows your tech stack and conventions, a writing project where it maintains your tone and style guide, or a research project where your source documents are always available.
Custom Instructions Per Project
The project-level custom instruction is a system-level prompt that ChatGPT treats as authoritative context for the entire project. You set it once when creating or editing the project. For example, a coding project might instruct ChatGPT: "Always use TypeScript. Our codebase follows ESLint strict rules. Prefer functional components in React." Every conversation in that project starts with this context pre-loaded, without you having to repeat it.
Project-level custom instructions take precedence over your global custom instructions (set in Settings → Personalization) when you are working inside a project.
File Storage
Files uploaded to a project are stored persistently and available to ChatGPT in every conversation within that project. The file limits per project vary by plan:
| Plan | Files per Project |
|---|---|
| Free | 5 files |
| Plus | 25 files |
| Pro | 40 files |
Supported file types include PDFs, Word documents, spreadsheets, plain text, code files, and images. The model reads and references these files during conversations without you needing to paste their contents into the chat.
Connectors (2025)
Projects gained cloud connector support in 2025. You can link a project to external services and ChatGPT will have live read access to files and data from those sources:
- Google Drive: Access Google Docs, Sheets, and other Drive files
- Dropbox: Reference documents stored in your Dropbox
- GitHub: Browse and discuss repository code
- SharePoint/OneDrive: Access Microsoft 365 files in enterprise contexts
Connectors give ChatGPT live access to your files rather than a static snapshot — if the underlying document changes, ChatGPT sees the updated version.
Data Retention & Availability
When you delete a project, its conversations and files are scheduled for permanent deletion within 30 days. Projects are available on all plans (Free and above) and are accessible on web, iOS, and Android. Shared projects — where team members can collaborate within the same project workspace — are available on Team and Enterprise plans.
Use Cases
Writing Assistant
Upload your style guide and past writing samples. Set custom instructions for tone and format. Every conversation follows your voice consistently.
Coding Project
Upload key source files, configuration, and architecture docs. Custom instruct with language, framework, and code style preferences.
Research Project
Upload papers, reports, and notes. ChatGPT references all of them across every conversation — no re-uploading between sessions.
Client or Topic Namespace
Create a separate project per client or subject area. Keep context clean and prevent cross-contamination between unrelated workstreams.
Checklist
- What are the three things a ChatGPT Project stores persistently?
- How do project-level custom instructions interact with your global custom instructions?
- How many files can a Plus plan user store per project?
- What is the difference between uploading files to a project and using a Connector?
- How long after deletion does ChatGPT retain project data?