We’re planning to retire custom GPTs and help creators move their workflows to plugins. Plugins bring reusable instructions, reference files, and connected apps together.
For affected Enterprise workspaces, new GPT creation ended on October 26, 2026. FedRAMP workspaces are excluded from this creation cutoff and can still create GPTs. Existing unmigrated GPTs remain usable and editable until their applicable retirement date. After migration, the original GPT becomes read-only. Standard retirement is scheduled for December 11, 2026. FedRAMP workspaces and workspaces with a qualifying, approved deferral have a retirement date of February 11, 2027.
The transition includes all ChatGPT plans, but creation restrictions and migration access depend on the account or workspace. Follow the notice for yours. For dates, migration steps, and what to expect on other plans, see: Custom GPT retirement and migration FAQ.
Overview
New GPT creation and publishing are not available on personal ChatGPT accounts, including Free, Go, Plus, and Pro.
Existing GPTs remain available to use and can still be edited if existing plan and permission requirements are met.
In managed workspaces, GPT creation, editing, and publishing depend on product availability, workspace settings, and permissions.
New GPT creation ended on October 26, 2026 for affected Enterprise workspaces, with the exception of FedRAMP workspaces. Existing unmigrated GPTs remain usable and editable until their applicable retirement date. After migration, the original GPT becomes read-only. For dates and migration guidance, see: Custom GPT retirement and migration FAQ.
Availability
GPT creation and editing are available on the web. Mobile apps support using GPTs but do not support creating them.
Personal ChatGPT accounts, including Free, Go, Plus, and Pro, cannot create or publish new GPTs. Existing GPTs remain available to use, and users can continue editing GPTs they previously created if their plan and permissions allow it.
In Business, Enterprise, and Edu workspaces, check your workspace notice as well as settings and permissions. A creation cutoff does not prevent edits to existing unmigrated GPTs.
Create a GPT
If new GPT creation is available in your workspace and you have permission to create GPTs, start from the GPTs area in ChatGPT:
Open Explore GPTs in the ChatGPT sidebar or visit https://chatgpt.com/gpts.
Select Create to open the GPT builder.
Choose how you want to build:
Conversational builder: Describe what you want, and ChatGPT will help draft the GPT for you.
Configuration view: Set up the GPT directly by editing its fields.
GPT configuration options
Name, description, and conversation starters
These are user-facing fields. They determine how your GPT appears to others, how easily people can find it, and how they get started using it.
Name
The title of your GPT. This is what users see in search results, the GPT Store, shared links, and at the top of the chat. Use a clear, specific name so users immediately understand what the GPT does.
Description
A short summary of your GPT. Use it to explain the GPT’s purpose, who it is for, and what kinds of tasks it helps with. This also appears in previews and in GPT Store listings before someone opens it.
Conversation starters
Example prompts shown when someone opens the GPT. These help users understand what they can ask and how to interact with it. Include a few realistic, high-value prompts that reflect the GPT’s intended use.
Instructions
Instructions define how your GPT behaves: what it should do, how it should respond, and what it should avoid. These are applied to every conversation and guide the GPT’s tone, structure, and decision-making.
Writing effective instructions
For multi-step workflows, use explicit step structure, for example: “When X happens → do Y,” and separate sections with clear delimiters.
Prefer positive, concrete instructions (“Do X”) over long lists of prohibitions (“Don’t do Y”) when possible.
If your GPT must apply specific definitions or classifications, include brief examples of acceptable and unacceptable outputs.
Use headings and lists so priorities and steps are visually distinct.
Knowledge
Knowledge lets your GPT use information from files you upload. It works best for reference material you want the GPT to draw from when answering questions, such as documentation, guides, handbooks, or internal content.
Unlike instructions, which define how your GPT should behave, files uploaded as knowledge give it source material to use during a conversation.
File limits
You can attach up to 20 files to a GPT. Each file can be up to 512 MB.
GPTs support most common document, spreadsheet, image, text, and code file types. Accepted file types can vary by model, and some file types are only available if the setting Code Interpreter & Data Analysis is enabled for the GPT.
Best practices
Use knowledge for reference material, not rules or behavior. Put rules, tone, and workflow guidance in instructions.
Prefer clear, text-forward files when possible. Complex layouts can make uploaded content harder for the GPT to use effectively.
If you want the GPT to cite or quote uploaded content, say so in the instructions and specify the format you want.
Test your GPT in Preview after uploading files to make sure it uses the content the way you expect.
Recommended model
The recommended model is the model your GPT suggests to users when they start a new conversation. Setting one helps guide users toward the best option for the GPT’s task, especially when more than one model is available.
If the recommended model is not available to a user, a similar model may be selected automatically. If you don’t set a recommended model, users can choose whichever model they prefer.
Note that users can still switch to a different model if additional models are available to them.
Capabilities
Capabilities extend what your GPT can do. You can enable built-in features and connect external tools from this section. Availability depends on your account, workspace setup, and region.
Web search: Retrieve up-to-date information from the web.
Image generation: Create images from text prompts.
Canvas: Draft, edit, and refine longer or structured content.
Code Interpreter & Data Analysis: Run calculations, analyze data, and generate charts.
Apps: Use external tools and services that users have connected.
If apps are enabled, the GPT can use tools available to the user. If restricted, users may be prompted to connect specific apps. Users may also be asked to confirm when an app is used.
Actions
Actions allow your GPT to connect to external APIs that you define.
Use actions when your GPT needs to retrieve data or take actions in external systems, such as calling APIs or triggering workflows.
A GPT can use either apps or actions, but not both at the same time.
For detailed setup and configuration instructions, see: Configuring actions in GPTs.
Test your GPT
Use the built-in Preview to test prompts, check tone and accuracy, and refine your GPT before saving changes. Publishing new GPTs is not available on personal ChatGPT accounts.
Before adding more tools, tighten instructions and add examples. This often fixes issues faster than adding features.
Save, update, and versioning
Changes save to a draft automatically while you edit. If you are creating a GPT in an eligible managed workspace, select Create when you are ready. If you are editing an existing GPT, select Update to apply your latest draft changes.
New GPT creation ended on October 26, 2026 for affected Enterprise workspaces, with the exception of FedRAMP workspaces. Public sharing is not required. Migration uses the latest published version; drafts and unpublished edits do not transfer.
Version history
You can use version history to review and restore earlier versions. While editing a GPT, open the more options menu (•••) to access version history.
Note: If you restore an older version of a GPT that uses actions, you may need to reconfigure its authentication afterward.
Manage or edit a GPT
If your plan and permissions allow you to edit an existing GPT and it has not been migrated:
Open Explore GPTs in ChatGPT or visit https://chatgpt.com/gpts.
Select My GPTs
Choose the GPT you want to update
Select Edit GPT
If you are already chatting with a GPT, you can also open its menu and select Edit GPT.
From the editor, you can:
Make changes to the GPT.
Select Share to review the sharing options available for your account or workspace.
Open the more options menu (•••) to copy the GPT link, view version history, or delete the GPT. Duplicating a GPT is available only when your account or workspace is eligible to create new GPTs.
Available options depend on your account, workspace permissions, and whether the GPT already exists. GPT links and version history are available only after a GPT has been created. Deleting or duplicating a GPT requires the appropriate permissions, and duplication also requires eligibility to create new GPTs.