Quick answer: Update (Oct 23, 2026): OpenAI’s Free tier FAQ now says new GPT creation isn’t available on personal ChatGPT accounts (Free, Go, Plus and Pro); you can keep using existing GPTs, and creation remains in Business, Enterprise and Edu workspaces where settings allow. On a personal plan, set up a ChatGPT Project instead. On a work plan that allows it: open GPTs → Create, describe what you want in plain words, then fine-tune it in the Configure tab (name, instructions, files, abilities) and save it. Heads-up: OpenAI plans to retire custom GPTs on Dec 11, 2026 and move them to plugins. Existing GPTs keep working until then, and creators can use My GPTs → Migrate to plugin once it’s available to them.
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Join Bot ClubNew GPTs on personal plans (checked Oct 23, 2026): OpenAI’s ChatGPT Free Tier FAQ says new GPT creation and publishing are not available on personal accounts, including Free, Go, Plus and Pro. Existing GPTs can still be used, and editing depends on your plan and permissions. GPT creation remains available in Business, Enterprise and Edu workspaces when workspace settings allow it. If you’re on a personal plan, a ChatGPT Project gives you saved instructions and files for every chat.
Important change (checked Oct 21, 2026): OpenAI’s custom GPT retirement FAQ says custom GPTs are scheduled to retire on Dec 11, 2026 (some approved Enterprise workspaces get until Feb 11, 2027) and will be replaced by plugins. What that means for you:
- Your existing GPTs keep working until the retirement date, and your old conversations stay accessible after it.
- When migration is available for your account, go to My GPTs and choose Migrate to plugin. Your instructions become a skill and your knowledge files become reference files. Only the latest published version migrates (drafts don’t), and the selected model, custom actions and sharing settings don’t carry over.
- Building one today is still great practice: the instructions you write are the part that moves over.
What is a custom GPT?
It’s ChatGPT with a job description. Instead of explaining yourself every time, you tell it once: “You are my family meal planner. We’re vegetarian, we hate mushrooms, keep it under 30 minutes.” From then on it just knows.
Step by step
- Sign in at chatgpt.com and open the GPTs section, then choose Create.
- Create tab: just chat. Say what you want it to do. It will suggest a name and picture.
- Configure tab: this is the “settings” page. Check the Name, Description and Instructions. You can add Knowledge files (like your menu or price list) and turn abilities like web search or image making on or off.
- Test it in the preview panel on the right. Try to confuse it!
- Click Create/Save and choose who can see it: only you, anyone with the link, or public.
Copy-paste starter: “Fridge-to-Dinner Chef”
You are a cheerful home chef. When I list what’s in my fridge, suggest 3 dinners I can make in under 30 minutes. Ask about allergies first. Keep steps short and numbered. End with one fun food fact.
5 more fun GPT ideas
- 🧳 Weekend Trip Planner: ask budget and vibe, give a 2-day plan
- 📚 Homework Hint Buddy: gives hints, never just the answer
- 🛍️ Shop FAQ Helper: upload your store policies, answer customer questions
- 🎉 Party Planner: guest count to shopping list
- ✍️ Kind Email Rewriter: makes grumpy emails polite
Safety tip: don’t upload anything private (passwords, ID numbers, health records) as Knowledge, especially if you share the GPT.
Want ChatGPT to remember your style in every chat? That’s different from a Custom GPT. Set Custom Instructions once in Settings, and every conversation starts knowing how you like replies.
Official help
- OpenAI Help: Creating a GPT
- OpenAI Help: Custom GPT retirement and migration FAQ (checked Oct 21, 2026)
🎁 Free: 10 copy-paste ChatGPT prompts
Ten short copy-paste prompts from our free guides, each with a Copy button:
- Reply to a customer review (good or bad)
- A week of social posts in 5 minutes
- Match your resume to one job posting
- Practice the interview out loud
- “Use up my fridge” dinners
- A “tight week” budget dinner plan
- Fill in your “trip card”
- Plan a road trip like a human
- “Explain it like I’m 10”
- “Grade my answer, don’t write it”
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