OpenAI will retire custom GPTs in ChatGPT Enterprise on December 11, 2026. If you use a custom GPT, move its instructions and resources to a skill, plugin, or project before that date. Your instructions, files, rubrics, examples, and safeguards can still be used after the transition. This guide explains how to move them into a skill.
What is an AI Skill?
A skill is a reusable set of instructions and files that helps ChatGPT complete a specific task. A skill can include prompts, course materials, rubrics, examples, and response requirements.
Unlike a custom GPT, a skill works within a normal ChatGPT conversation. ChatGPT may use the skill automatically when a user’s request matches its purpose.
Skills may also provide the following benefits:
- Students can use them in normal ChatGPT conversations.
- Faculty can share them through the CES ChatGPT environment.
- Faculty can provide direct installation links.
- Instructions, knowledge files, and supporting resources can be organized in one package.
- Skills may become easier to find through an institutional directory or marketplace.
Moving a Custom GPT to a Skill
1. Back up the custom GPT
Before changing or deleting anything, save the important parts of the custom GPT in a local document or folder.
Include:
- Main instructions
- Conversation starters
- Knowledge files
- Rubrics
- Examples
- Formatting requirements
- Academic integrity or safety requirements
- Test prompts
Keep this backup so you can compare the custom GPT with the skill during testing.
2. Separate instructions from knowledge files
Organize the saved materials into two groups.
Instructions
Instructions tell ChatGPT how to behave. Examples include:
- Ask the student one question at a time.
- Do not provide the final answer immediately.
- Use the attached rubric when giving feedback.
- Explain reasoning in language appropriate for an undergraduate student.
Knowledge files
Knowledge files provide information ChatGPT may need. Examples include:
- Syllabi
- Lecture notes
- Assignment descriptions
- Readings
- Policies
- Rubrics
- Sample work
Separating instructions from knowledge files makes the skill easier to understand, update, and test.
3. Create the skill
You can use the Skill Creator to organize the custom GPT’s instructions and files into a skill.
- Go to ChatGPT Skills.
- Click the + button.
- Select Create with chat.
- Provide the Skill Creator with the custom GPT materials.
Include:
- The saved custom GPT instructions
- Knowledge files
- A description of what students should accomplish
- Examples of successful interactions
- Examples of responses the skill should avoid
The goal is to organize the existing design clearly and consistently. The skill does not need to be complex.
| Note: A skill uploaded through the ChatGPT desktop application may remain stored locally and may not be available to other users. Use the web interface when the skill needs to be shared. |
4. Test the skill
Uploading the skill does not complete the migration. Test the skill with realistic conversations.
Include tests for:
- A normal student request
- A request for too much direct help
- Incomplete student work
- A request that should trigger the rubric
- A request that should be refused or redirected
- A request involving an uploaded knowledge file
Check the following:
- Does the skill encourage students to think?
- Does it avoid completing assignments for them?
- Does it apply the rubric accurately?
- Does it use course materials appropriately?
- Does it follow the required formatting and response instructions?
Revise the skill and test it again when necessary.
5. Share the skill
After testing the skill, share it with students or other users.
- Go to ChatGPT Skills.
- Find the skill.
- Click the ... next to the skill.
- Select Share.
- Select Anyone at CES ChatGPT.
- Copy the link and provide it wherever your audience can access it.
Naming and Sharing Considerations
As more users create and share skills, clear names will help others identify the correct resource.
Use names that describe the skill’s purpose. For example:
- Biology Lab Report Coach
- Introductory Accounting Case Tutor
- Research Question Development Guide
- Lesson Planning Assistant
The desktop and web interfaces may behave differently. A skill uploaded through the desktop application may remain local to your computer. Use the web interface when students or other users need access.
Projects may be useful when you want to gather instructions and course files in a shared workspace. Projects may have different sharing options, such as adding users individually or sharing a link broadly. Review the access settings before distributing a project link.
Preserving Instructional Design
The most valuable part of a custom GPT is not the interface. It is the instructional design behind it.
Your questions, examples, files, rubrics, safeguards, and teaching purpose can continue in a new format. To begin the migration, save the custom GPT materials and identify what the tool is designed to do.
For additional help, follow CES migration instructions, attend a workshop, or contact your academic technology team for help reviewing and testing the skill.
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