OpenAI has launched Projects, a feature that lets users group and organize related conversations within ChatGPT. The announcement came during day seven of the company's "12 Days of Shipmas" livestream, where Product Lead Kevin Weil and engineers Thomas Dimson and Drew Schuster demonstrated the feature's capabilities.
Key points:
- Projects allow users to create folders for chats, upload relevant files, and set custom instructions for ongoing conversations.
- Available now for Plus, Pro, and Team users globally, with Free users, Enterprise, and EDU gaining access in early 2024.
- Integrates seamlessly with other ChatGPT features like search and canvas tools for enhanced productivity.
"We're launching something that you've all been asking for for a while," said Weil during the livestream. Projects allows users to create topic-specific folders for their ChatGPT conversations, complete with the ability to upload relevant files and set custom instructions that apply to all chats within that project.
During the demo, Schuster showed how he could use Projects to organize a Secret Santa gift exchange. By uploading spreadsheets with participant preferences and setting festive custom instructions, he created a dedicated space for managing the event. The system helped randomly assign gift-givers and even suggested gift ideas by leveraging ChatGPT's web search capability.
A project keeps your chats, files, and custom instructions together in one place, making it easy to return to ongoing work. pic.twitter.com/V1z4zpHAPc
— OpenAI (@OpenAI) December 13, 2024
Dimson showcased a more practical application, using Projects to manage home maintenance tasks. By uploading appliance documentation and maintenance logs, he created a knowledge base that could answer specific questions about his home. "Having this all paired together with the maintenance log in the context of the project means I can ask questions about it in a really conversational way and get answers," Dimson explained.
The feature integrates with ChatGPT's existing tools, including conversation search, Canvas for collaborative editing, and web browsing. Users can add existing conversations to projects through search or drag-and-drop functionality, making it easier to organize past interactions.
Projects act as "smart folders" that consolidate files, instructions, and chats into a unified workspace. Users can:
- Color code your projects
- Upload and reference project-specific files, like spreadsheets or code.
- Assign context-sensitive instructions for streamlined interactions.
- Access tools like conversation search and canvas directly within Projects.
What’s next: OpenAI began the feature rollout for ChatGPT Plus, Pro, and Team users globally while on the livestream. It is available at chatgpt.com, on the ChatGPT desktop app for Windows, and viewable on mobile and macOS apps. Enterprise and Education users can expect access in January and eventually it will make its way to free users in the future.
We've had a chance to briefly play with Projects and are loving it. We'll be publishing a more in-depth review soon. Today's launch represents OpenAI's continued focus on improving ChatGPT's core experience, following recent updates such as conversation search and enhanced Canvas functionality.