AI WORLDHow to use custom GPTs (and build your own without coding)
Discover how to find pre-made AI assistants for your daily tasks, and easily build your own tailored helper in minutes.
Imagine having a digital assistant who already knows your household budget, your business's brand voice, or your weekly fitness goals, without you having to explain it every single time you open a chat.
That is the power of custom GPTs (personalised versions of ChatGPT built for a single, specific task). You do not need to know how to write computer code to build one—you simply have a conversation with the AI about what you need.
This guide will show you how to find ready-made helpers and how to create your very own in minutes.
- A ChatGPT account: You can browse and use many pre-made GPTs on a free account, but creating your own currently requires a ChatGPT Plus subscription.
- An idea: Think of a repetitive task you do often, such as drafting weekly emails, planning school lunches, or organising meeting notes.
Explore the GPT Store
The GPT Store is like an app store, but instead of software, it is filled with helpful chatbots created by other people and companies.
To find it, open ChatGPT on your computer or phone and look for the menu item on the left sidebar called Explore GPTs. Click on this to open a directory of pre-made helpers categorised by tasks like writing, designing, and learning.
Start building your own custom helper
If you cannot find exactly what you need, you can build your own. On the top right of the Explore GPTs screen, click the button that says Create.
This will open a split-screen workspace. On the left side is the GPT Builder, which is an AI assistant that asks you questions to help build your tool. On the right side is the Preview panel, where you can test your new creation as you build it.
Tell the builder what you want
The builder will start by asking you what you want to make. Speak to it in plain English, just as you would talk to a helpful colleague. You do not need to use technical jargon.
"I want to build a helper that takes a messy list of ingredients from my fridge and suggests three simple dinner options, organised by preparation time."
The builder will process this and suggest a name and a profile picture (which it will generate for you using AI). You can accept these or ask for changes.
Refine the instructions
Next, the builder will ask you about the tone of voice and what your helper should avoid. These instructions are called prompts (the rules and guides that tell an AI how to behave).
"The tone should be warm and encouraging. Never suggest recipes that require more than four pots and pans, and always assume the user has basic pantry items like salt, pepper, and olive oil."
Test and publish
Before saving, look at the preview panel on the right side of the screen. This is your playground to make sure everything works correctly.
- Sharing private information: Never put sensitive data like your home address, passwords, or confidential client details into the general instructions of your custom GPT.
- Overcomplicating the rules: Start with one or two simple rules. If you give the AI fifty rules at once, it can get confused and ignore some of them. You can always edit your GPT later to add more details.
Open ChatGPT, click on Explore GPTs in your sidebar, and search for the word "Books". Click on a book recommendation helper and type in the name of the last book you thoroughly enjoyed to see what it suggests next. It takes less than two minutes and is a great introduction to how specialised these helpers can be.
✦ Original step-by-step guide by AI World Co.'s AI editorial team. Written in plain language, reviewed for accuracy.
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