How to Raise a GPT: Part 2 'Introduction to Custom GPT - The Basics Explained with Screenshots'
This is Cogito.
Last time, you saw an example of a 'Destined Consultant' GPT.
So many diverse consultants appearing within a single GPT.
'How do you make it?' 'It looks difficult...'
I can almost hear those voices.
This time, I will explain the basic operations of Custom GPT for absolute beginners.
Goal for this session
By the time you finish reading this article:
You will be able to actually open the screen
You will understand where to create it
You will understand the meaning of the setting items
There is no technical talk at all. Let's proceed together while looking at the screen.
Prerequisite: ChatGPT Plus is required
First, a bit of bad news.
To create a Custom GPT, you need ChatGPT Plus ($20/month).
You cannot create Custom GPTs with the free version.
However, this investment will never be wasted. Once you create one, your daily work efficiency will change dramatically.
In fact, when I told an acquaintance who uses ChatGPT every day for both work and personal consultations that they could create a Custom GPT, they were initially confused, saying, 'I don't know what I can even do with it...' But as soon as they understood, they signed up for Plus for their own personal use separate from their company account, and now they use different Custom GPTs for work and personal matters.
They are very impressed by the difference in efficiency and the accuracy of the conversations with the GPT compared to before. Please try signing up for Plus for at least one month and give it a try.
Let's look at the actual screen
Now, let's proceed to the screen where you actually create a Custom GPT.
Step 1: Log in to ChatGPT
First, log in to ChatGPT (paid version) as you normally would.
A sidebar on the left should be displayed.
Step 2: Go to the GPT creation page
At the top of the sidebar, there is a button with a symbol of four circles (○). Please click this.
Since my interface is in English for work purposes, it is labeled "Explore" (or "Explore GPTs"), but I believe it will be displayed as "Explore GPTs" or "Explore" in Japanese.
If you cannot find it, please look for this four-circle symbol.
Step 3: Press "Create" in the top right
When you press the four-circle symbol button, a new screen will open.
A button labeled "Create" (in the Japanese version, "作成") is displayed in the top right; click this.
Step 4: Check the two creation methods
The creation screen that appears on the left has two tabs:
Create: Create through dialogue (for beginners)
Configure: Set up directly (for detailed customization)
"Create" is easy because you can make it while chatting, but it is difficult to make fine adjustments.
Once you get used to it, "Configure" is more efficient. This time, I will explain Configure.
Let's understand the configuration items
When you open the Configure tab, seven main setting items will be displayed.
You don't need to understand everything. At first, let's focus on just one important item.
1. Name
Set the name of your GPT.
Since this is the name displayed to users, make it something easy to understand.
Example:
'Destined Consultant'
'Writing AI for Tax Accountants'
'Hair Salon SNS Post Master'
2. Description
This is a description of what this GPT does.
It is also used when searched for in the GPT Store, so write it concisely.
If you are creating it only for yourself, you can leave it blank or just write a note.
Example: '50 consultants appear randomly to answer your life's worries'
3. Instructions ★Most Important★
This is the most important part.
This is where you define the GPT's 'personality,' 'role,' 'rules,' and 'behavior.'
Almost all of the Custom GPT's operations are determined here.
Example: Super simple instructions
あなたは褒め上手な友達です。
ユーザーが何を言っても、
とにかく褒めてください。
It will work with just this.
If you input 'I made a mistake at work today,' it will likely reply with something like, 'Being able to admit your mistake is proof of your growth!'
4. Conversation starters
You can set example sentences that users can click on first.
You can set up to four.
Example:
'Listen to my worries today'
'I want to talk to someone else'
'I want to consult about my career'
'I have relationship problems'
By setting these, users won't have to wonder what to talk about.
5. Knowledge
You can upload PDF or text files.
This is a feature that allows you to give the GPT specialized knowledge.
Example:
Product catalog PDF
Past articles or blog text
Glossary of technical terms
Manual
You can upload up to 20 files, with a total size of 512MB.
6. Capabilities
You can toggle the following features on/off:
Web Browsing: Internet search functionality
DALL-E Image Generation: Image generation functionality
Code Interpreter: Code execution functionality
Please toggle them on or off as needed.
It is fine to have them all on at first, but if you do not use programming, you can leave the Code Interpreter off.
7. Actions
This is an advanced feature for things like API integration.
You do not need to touch this at first. Let's learn it if it becomes necessary in the future.
What beginners should touch first is 'Instructions'
Did you look at the 7 setting items and think, 'That's too many...'?
Rest assured. At first, Instructions alone is enough.
Other settings can be added later.
Also, both Instructions and other items can be modified as many times as you like.
Even with just Instructions, you can create a surprisingly high-performance Custom GPT.
Let's try making one: A GPT that praises you
Rather than explaining it in words, let's actually build one.
Steps
Open "Create a GPT" -> "Configure"
Name Enter "Praise-giving Friend"
Instructions Enter the following:
あなたは褒め上手な友達です。
ユーザーが何を言っても、
必ずポジティブな面を見つけて褒めてください。
落ち込んでいる人を元気づけるのが得意です。
Click "Create" (or "Save") in the top right
Done!
Clicking the Create button will save it.
It won't be saved unless you click it, so I recommend pressing the button in the top right even if you are in the middle of setting it up.
The visibility settings will appear, so I think it's best to set it to "Only me" or "Anyone with a link". Even if you set it to "Anyone with a link," it will remain private to you unless you share the link.
Try it out
Let's try talking to the GPT you just made.
You: "I messed up at the meeting today..."
GPT: "Being able to admit a mistake is a very important thing! Many people look away from their failures, but you are facing yours head-on. That alone is proof that you are growing!"
As you can see, it will provide a positive response to anything you say.
Tips for writing Instructions
Here are some basic rules for writing Instructions.
Tip 1: Define the role clearly
Start by defining the GPT's role in the format of "You are a..."
Example:
"You are an experienced career consultant"
"You are a kind childcare worker"
"You are a professional writer"
Tip 2: Give specific instructions
Specific instructions are more effective than abstract ones.
Bad example: "Please answer kindly"
Good example: "Please empathize with the user's feelings, start with words of empathy, and then provide specific advice"
Tip 3: Include prohibitions
It is important not only to say "Please do X," but also "Please do not do Y."
Example:
"Please explain in simple terms without using technical jargon"
"Please avoid critical language"
"Please avoid long sentences and answer concisely"
Tip 4: Specify the tone
You can also specify the way of speaking or tone.
Example:
"Please speak politely using 'desu/masu' style"
Please speak in a frank, friendly tone like a friend.
Please speak in the Kansai dialect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is it okay to write Instructions in Japanese?
Yes, Japanese is perfectly fine.
While some say English provides higher accuracy, it works sufficiently well in Japanese too.
Q2: What is the character limit for Instructions?
You can enter up to approximately 8,000 characters.
However, if it is too long, it may cause unstable behavior, so keep it to the necessary minimum.
Q3: Can other people use the GPT I created?
Yes, if you set it to public, anyone can use it.
Only me: Just yourself
Anyone with a link: Only those who know the link
Public: Anyone (listed in the GPT Store)
You can choose from these three options.
Q4: Can I modify the GPT I created later?
Of course.
You can edit it at any time, so don't aim for perfection at first; let's improve it while using it.
Next Episode Preview
In this session, we learned the basic operations and how to create a simple GPT.
Next time, we will finally begin the full-scale production process.
How was the 'Destined Consultant' created?
From designing 50 characters to the mechanism for random selection, we will fully disclose the production process.
It may look complicated, but if you assemble it logically, anyone can actually build it.
Look forward to Part 3 of 'How to Raise a GPT'.