ChatGPT Projects vs. Custom GPTs: My December 2024 Adventures in Creation

Let's be real: Jumping between AI chats is a hassle. I was constantly re-explaining my projects, uploading the same files, and it felt like a huge time sink. It was the kind of frustration that makes you want to scream into the digital void. Especially, it felt like I was wasting precious time when I could have been actually, you know, *doing* things.

So, I started exploring different ways to manage these chats more efficiently. And frankly, I've learned a lot in the trenches. Here's some advice I wish I knew sooner:

1. Project-Specific Context is King: I've found that the biggest time saver is having each chat *already* understanding the context of the project. I can't stress this enough. No more initial explanations. Set it up once, and the AI 'gets it'.

2. Data Uploads, Simplified: Uploading documentation, code snippets, and datasets repeatedly is enough to send anyone over the edge. The solution? Link everything to the project.

3. AI Model Agnostic Approach: Not all AI models are created equal. Sometimes you need the precision of one, the creativity of another. The best projects are those that allow you to select the AI model you need, on a per-project basis.

4. Cost Control: It’s easy to lose track of how much you’re spending when experimenting. In my experience, having a built-in cost calculator completely changed my workflow. It keeps things in check and you don't have any surprises in your monthly bill. I can immediately estimate the costs of prompts and responses.

5. No More Start-From-Scratch: The biggest value I've gotten is the ability to start new chats that have immediate context. It's like having a super-powered assistant that already knows everything about your project. It's a game-changer.

6. The Power of Iteration: What really works best is to create a project that you can iterate on. I'm constantly tweaking and refining my projects, and having a system that supports that is essential.

7. The Little Things: Having a single source of truth for your projects keeps you organized. The small details, like being able to group and categorize projects the way you want is important.

In my own experience, I was pulling my hair out trying to manage all these different AI interactions. I got tired of copy-pasting the same info repeatedly. Then, I stumbled across Contextch.at, and it's been a total lifesaver. It lets you set up multiple projects with websites, files, and GitHub repos. It’s like having a personal AI assistant manager.

Contextch.at lets me start new chats that already know my data, and provides useful tools like selectable AI models, a context builder (super important!), and a cost calculator. It's pay-per-use, so no subscriptions are needed. I'd recommend it to anyone who’s tired of the whole repetitive AI chat setup. It's the kind of tool that makes your workflow flow more smoothly and helps you stay sane in the process. I genuinely like using it.