Introducing ChatGPT Projects — File Limits by Plan and How to Use Custom Instructions

Tired of uploading the same reference materials every time you start a new chat, or copy-pasting the same daily prompts? With the 'ChatGPT Projects' feature now available to everyone from free users to paid subscribers, you can leave those repetitive tasks behind. We’ve put together a simple, practical guide on how to create your own dedicated AI workspace to drastically reduce daily input fatigue.

How Does ChatGPT Projects Work with My Plan?

ChatGPT Projects is a smart workspace that anyone can set up. While it helps reduce the hassle of constantly re-uploading documents, the storage capacity and number of collaborators vary depending on your plan. Here is a quick breakdown of the differences.

Project Limits by Plan

The capacity for individual files is quite generous. You can upload up to 512MB per file, and for text documents, each file can hold approximately 2 million tokens. Note that you can upload a maximum of 10 files at once, so please split up larger batches of documents.

The character limit for instructions is particularly noteworthy. Standard custom instructions were often restrictive, allowing only 1,500 characters for free users and 5,000 for paid users. Project-specific instructions, however, support up to 8,000 characters, allowing you to define your AI’s persona and professional guidelines in much greater detail.

Global vs. Project-Specific Custom Instructions: What’s the Difference?

Global custom instructions in ChatGPT serve as a foundation applied to all your chats. This often meant you had to manually change your settings every time you switched from a translation task to a coding review.

In contrast, custom instructions set within a project work independently within that specific workspace. Since chats don't interfere with each other, it's like having a dedicated AI assistant perfectly tailored to each specific task.

The character limit has also been significantly increased. While standard instructions were limited to 1,500 or 5,000 characters, project instructions allow for up to 8,000 characters, regardless of your plan.

This allows you to specify detailed rules, desired formats, and concrete examples. Furthermore, because these project-specific instructions override the global settings, they are perfect for maintaining distinct personas, such as a specialized translator or a code reviewer.

3 Steps to Building Your Own Customized AI Workspace

Setting up and using ChatGPT Projects is simpler than you might think. Follow these three steps to free yourself from the daily routine of copy-pasting prompts and uploading files.

Step 1: Create a project and upload core files
Start by creating a new project and uploading your essential reference materials—brand guidelines, templates, or successful past reports. This helps the AI learn the context and tone of your work.

Step 2: Enter project-specific instructions
In the custom instructions field, clearly define the role and rules the AI should follow within this project. Use them as a practical template that you can copy and fill out for your actual tasks.

# 역할
- 당신은 우리 팀의 전담 [역할 입력, 예: 콘텐츠 에디터 / 주니어 개발자]입니다.

# 참고 데이터 활용
- 답변을 작성할 때는 업로드된 가이드라인 파일의 스타일과 용어 정의를 항상 최우선으로 참고하세요.

# 출력 규칙
- 불필요한 도입부("네, 도와드리겠습니다" 등)는 생략하고 곧바로 본론을 제시하세요.
- 전문적인 용어는 유지하되, 대중이 이해하기 쉬운 친근한 어조를 사용하세요.

Step 3: Start working and provide feedback immediately
Once configured, start a new chat within the project. No need to explain your guidelines every time—the AI is already primed with the perfect context to deliver high-quality, precise responses to your questions.

Assign a dedicated assistant to each of your workflows

ChatGPT Projects is the simplest way to cut out unnecessary busywork. Whether it’s drafting emails, reviewing reports, or routine data analysis, create a dedicated project workspace today. Without any complex coding, simply by uploading a few references and setting clear instructions, you can have an intelligent partner that understands exactly how you work.