How ChatGPT Actually Reads Your Files (Project Deep Dive)

Main idea

• The video argues that using the “Projects” feature (or similar workflows) with ChatGPT doesn’t work the way many people expect. Specifically — it shows that Projects don’t reliably load entire files into ChatGPT’s context. Instead, they load only pieces or parts, which can lead to surprising behavior or “hallucinations.”

Key points discussed

• Even if you upload a large file (document, code, etc.) in a Project and ask ChatGPT to analyze it, the system does not guarantee that the whole file is in the context.
• This means if you ask for summaries or transformations spanning the entire file, ChatGPT might miss parts, misinterpret, or hallucinate — because it doesn’t see everything simultaneously.
• The video emphasizes that developers and users need to be aware: Projects are not equivalent to “Load full data into memory.” Using Projects as if they provided full-file context is a misunderstanding.
• As a workaround, the creator suggests breaking large tasks into smaller chunks, or ensuring that the relevant parts are explicitly provided — rather than relying on Projects to “just work.”

Takeaway / Warning

• Don’t assume that uploading a file to a Project means ChatGPT now “knows” the whole file.
• For accuracy and safety, provide the relevant sections or carefully check results if you rely on large input files.
• Treat Projects as convenience tools — but with limitations — not as a magic “full-memory” feature.