Skip to content
Hands-on AI Playbook

Getting Started with OpenAI

OpenAI offers two products: ChatGPT (conversational AI) and Codex (AI agent for working with files and code). Most people start with ChatGPT — Codex and developer tools are optional.

Time: ~20 minutes for Part 1, ~10 minutes for Part 2 Requires: Nothing — this is where you start.

Part 1 — ChatGPT

Section titled “Part 1 — ChatGPT”

The conversational AI assistant. Set up your account, install apps, and configure it for the best experience.

1. Create Your Account

Section titled “1. Create Your Account”
  1. Go to chatgpt.com and sign up (or sign in)
  2. Upgrade to ChatGPT Plus ($20/month) or ChatGPT Team for the full feature set

Official docs: OpenAI Help Center — Getting started

2. Install ChatGPT Apps

Section titled “2. Install ChatGPT Apps”

Install all available apps so you have the right tool for every situation.

Sign in to each app with your account.

3. Configure Custom Instructions

Section titled “3. Configure Custom Instructions”

Tell ChatGPT about yourself so every conversation starts with context about your role and preferences.

  1. Click your profile picture (bottom-left) → Customize ChatGPT
  2. Fill in both sections:
    • What would you like ChatGPT to know about you? — your role, industry, what you’re working on
    • How would you like ChatGPT to respond? — tone, length, format preferences
  3. Click Save

Starter template:

I’m a [your role] in [your industry]. I’m learning to build AI-powered workflows and agents. I prefer concise answers with practical examples. When I ask about technical concepts, explain them in business terms first, then provide the technical details.

Official docs: OpenAI Help — Custom Instructions

4. Enable Memory

Section titled “4. Enable Memory”

Memory lets ChatGPT remember relevant details from your conversations over time.

  1. Click your profile picture → Settings → Personalization
  2. Toggle Memory to on

You can view and manage memories at any time: Settings → Personalization → Manage Memory.

Official docs: OpenAI Help — Memory FAQ

5. Connect Apps

Section titled “5. Connect Apps”

ChatGPT connects to external tools through Connected Apps.

  1. Click your profile picture → Settings → Connected apps
  2. Browse available integrations (Google Drive, Notion, Zapier, etc.)
  3. Click Connect on the apps you use

Official docs: OpenAI Help — Apps in ChatGPT

Part 2 — OpenAI Platform

Section titled “Part 2 — OpenAI Platform”

Codex is OpenAI’s AI agent that works directly with your files — useful for coding, file operations, research, and automation. Codex is included with every ChatGPT plan, including Free and Go — usage limits vary by plan, and Free covers local tasks only.

1. Install Codex

Section titled “1. Install Codex”

There are three ways to use Codex — pick whichever fits your workflow:

Since July 2026 Codex lives inside the ChatGPT desktop app — one app with Chat, Work, and Codex, on Mac, Windows, and Linux, on every plan. If you already installed the ChatGPT app in Part 1, you have Codex: open the app and choose Codex.

  1. Download the ChatGPT app from openai.com/chatgpt/download if you haven’t already
  2. Sign in with your ChatGPT account and choose Codex

Official docs: ChatGPT desktop app

Official docs: Get started with Codex · Using Codex with your ChatGPT plan

2. Add Skills (ChatGPT and Codex)

Section titled “2. Add Skills (ChatGPT and Codex)”

After adding skills, you can say “analyze where AI fits in my work” and ChatGPT runs the structured interview automatically — no re-explaining your requirements each time. Skills work in ChatGPT’s Work mode (type @ and the skill name) and in Codex (type $ and the name).

Before you start: click Plugins in the left sidebar. Add marketplace there means you can install the plugin; a Skills tab with a Create button means you can upload; neither means you’re on Free/Go — use the Codex folder path.

  • Any paid plan (Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise): install the Hands-on AI plugin — Plugins → Add marketplace → jamesgray-ai/handsonai-plugins → Install. One install covers Chat, Work, and Codex.
  • No Add marketplace (company-managed): upload skill ZIPs under Plugins → Skills → Create → Upload from your computer.
  • Codex with files on disk (any plan): unzip a skill and put its folder in ~/.agents/skills/ (or a project’s .agents/skills/).

→ Step-by-step with screenshots · → Skills on OpenAI

3. Create a Platform Account (Optional)

Section titled “3. Create a Platform Account (Optional)”

The OpenAI Platform (platform.openai.com) is where you manage API keys, monitor usage, and access developer tools. You need this if you want to authenticate Codex CLI with an API key instead of your ChatGPT account, or if you’re building applications with the OpenAI API.

  1. Go to platform.openai.com and sign in with your OpenAI account
  2. Navigate to API keys to create a key if needed

Most people don’t need this — Codex authenticates directly through your ChatGPT subscription.

Official docs: OpenAI Platform — Quickstart

You’re Done When

Section titled “You’re Done When”

Part 1 — ChatGPT:

  • OpenAI account created with a paid ChatGPT plan
  • ChatGPT desktop app installed and signed in
  • ChatGPT mobile app installed on at least one device
  • Custom instructions configured with your role and preferences
  • Memory enabled
  • At least one connected app set up (optional)

Part 2 — OpenAI Platform:

  • Codex set up — the Codex tab in the ChatGPT app, the CLI, or the IDE extension (optional)
  • The Hands-on AI plugin installed, or at least one skill uploaded or added on disk (optional)
  • Platform account created at platform.openai.com (optional)