Key takeaways
- Projects in ChatGPT are now available on the Free plan, so anyone can group related chats, files, and instructions in one place.
- A Branch in new chat toggle lets us split a conversation at any message and continue in a fresh thread without losing context.
- Free users can attach up to five files per project, with color and icon options to keep work easy to scan.
- Projects in ChatGPT support project-specific memory and instructions, and we can move existing chats into a project to keep long tasks tidy.
- These changes are confirmed by OpenAI documentation and independent reporting.
Projects in ChatGPT: a simple way to keep work on track
OpenAI has made Projects in ChatGPT available to everyone on the Free tier.1,2 In plain terms, Projects in ChatGPT act like focused workspaces: we keep all related conversations, files, and guidance under one roof, so we are not hunting across random threads for details we already shared. If we are planning a trip, studying for an exam, or running a side hustle, Projects in ChatGPT gives us a single place to return to each time we pick up the task.
Because Projects in ChatGPT store instructions at the project level, the model can follow the rules we set for that specific goal—tone, formatting, or steps to follow—without pulling in unrelated context.³ That makes it easier to get consistent answers from week to week.
What’s included (and what to expect on Free)
On the Free plan, Projects in ChatGPT include three essentials:
- Chats that stay together: We can start fresh conversations inside a project or move older ones into it, so the history stays linked to the work.
- Files that travel with the project: We can attach references (like a spreadsheet, brief, or outline). Free users can upload up to five files per project.
- Project-specific guidance: We set instructions once, and they apply across that project’s chats.
Small touches help with day-to-day use. We can pick a color and icon so each project stands out in the sidebar, which cuts down on misclicks when we juggle several projects.²
How to start a project in minutes
1. Create a project and give it a clear name (“Home Renovation Plan”).
2. Add project instructions (“Keep answers concise and budget-aware; summarize next steps at the end”).
3. Attach files (quotes, checklists, or photos) so the project has the right references.
4. Move existing chats that belong here into the project to keep history together.³
5. When a conversation takes a different direction, branch it (see below) instead of overwriting.
Branch in new chat: explore different paths without losing your place
OpenAI added a Branch in new chat option that splits a conversation at any message and opens a fresh thread with everything up to that point. This is handy when we want to try a new angle—drafting two versions of a cover letter, comparing two lesson plans, or testing two product taglines—without disturbing the original path. Coverage from major outlets highlights how branching keeps ideas organized and easy to compare.⁴
The feature is available on the web for all logged-in users, including Free. We can keep both branches inside Projects in ChatGPT so alternative ideas stay connected to the same goal.¹²⁴
Everyday ways to use Projects in ChatGPT
- Travel planning: Keep packing lists, schedules, and saved recommendations inside one “Family Trip” project. Branch the chat to compare a city itinerary vs. a beach itinerary, then keep both for reference.
- Job search: Centralize resumes, role notes, and outreach messages. Branch to tailor one resume for corporate roles and another for agencies, while keeping everything tied to the same project.
- Course companion: Store problem sets and reading notes in a “Statistics 101” project; set instructions to explain steps and provide short summaries after each answer.³
- Side business: Use a “T-Shirt Shop” project to track supplier quotes, mockups, and product names; branch to explore two brand stories and review them side by side.⁴
Across these scenarios, Projects in ChatGPT give us a steady place to work, while branching helps us explore options cleanly.
Staying organized over time
To keep Projects in ChatGPT tidy as work grows, we suggest:
- One purpose per project: If the mission changes, start a new project rather than mixing topics.
- Short names that signal outcomes: “Publish Portfolio,” “Spring Garden Plan,” or “Onboarding Guide.”
- Use branches at the first fork: When an idea starts to drift, branch it so each path develops on its own.1,2,4
- Keep files relevant: On Free, the five-file limit per project encourages us to attach only what we truly need.²
Privacy, memory, and context—kept in their lane
Projects in ChatGPT can use project-specific memory and instructions.³ That means the model focuses on what we decide belongs in that project—its chats and files—rather than pulling from unrelated threads. For longer or sensitive work, this separation helps keep answers aligned with the project’s scope. If a conversation starts to wander, a branch keeps the original intact and gives the new idea a home of its own.4
Why these changes matter
The combination of Projects in ChatGPT and branching lowers the friction of everyday tasks. We can return to an ongoing effort and pick up right where we left off, without repeating ourselves or searching across scattered chats. Independent reporting and OpenAI’s documentation confirm the Free-tier availability, the file attachment limit, the custom look-and-feel, and the new branching control.5 For many of us, that is enough structure to plan trips, manage studies, run small projects, and make steady progress without complexity.
Bottom line
Projects in ChatGPT are now within everyone’s reach, and the Branch in new chat option makes trial-and-error less messy. If we name projects clearly, add brief instructions, attach only essential files, and branch whenever ideas split, Projects in ChatGPT becomes a dependable workspace we can return to week after week.5
Citations
- Parmar, Mayank. “ChatGPT makes Projects feature free, adds a toggle to split chat.” BleepingComputer, 7 Sept. 2025.
- “ChatGPT — Release Notes.” OpenAI Help Center, updated Sept. 2025.
- “Projects in ChatGPT.” OpenAI Help Center, n.d. Accessed 10 Sept. 2025.
- “ChatGPT has added a great new feature, and it’s one I know I’ll be using a lot.” TechRadar, 9 Sept. 2025.
- Rowe, Adam. “OpenAI Makes Its ChatGPT Projects Tool Available for Free.” Tech.co, 4 Sept. 2025.
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