From Scattered Memories to Supercharged AI: How to Export Your ChatGPT Memory and Create a Skills.md File in Claude

Is your AI assistant a little forgetful? Do you find yourself repeating the same instructions, correcting the same mistakes, and wishing your AI just got you? You’re not alone. While ChatGPT’s memory feature is a step in the right direction, it’s like having a junk drawer for your brain. It passively collects scraps of information, but it’s messy, uncontrolled, and often unreliable. It’s time to stop settling for a scattered AI and start building a supercharged one.

The solution is to move from a passive memory system to an active, structured knowledge base. You can do this by exporting your memories from ChatGPT and forging them into a powerful Skills.md file to use with Claude Projects. This simple text file acts as a detailed user manual for your AI, giving it a crystal-clear understanding of who you are, how you think, and what you need. It’s the difference between hiring a random intern and onboarding a chief of staff who already knows your entire playbook.

Key Takeaways

• Your AI is Only as Good as Its Context: A passive memory (like ChatGPT’s) is a messy junk drawer. A structured Skills.md file is a precision toolkit. To get 10x better results, you need to give your AI 10x better context.
• You Are the Conductor: This process puts you in complete control. You decide what the AI knows, how it communicates, and what its goals are. You are not just a user; you are the architect of your AI’s intelligence.
• It’s an Actionable, Step-by-Step Process: This isn’t a theoretical concept. This post provides a complete, copy-and-paste template and a clear guide to transform your scattered ChatGPT memories into a powerful Skills.md file today.
• This is a Living System: Your Skills.md file isn’t a one-and-done task. It’s a living document that you will update and refine, making your AI an increasingly valuable partner that grows alongside you and your business.

The Why: Structured Context Beats Scattered Memories, Every Time

Let’s get real about why ChatGPT’s memory feature, while a good idea, is fundamentally limited for professional use. It’s a passive system. It listens to your conversations and tries to pick up on important details. But you have very little control over what it chooses to remember, how it interprets that information, and when it decides to apply it. This leads to a few major problems.

First, it’s inconsistent. One day, the AI remembers your preferred writing style; the next, it forgets completely. This is because the memory is just one piece of a massive puzzle the AI is trying to solve with every response. It can easily get overridden or ignored.

Second, it’s a black box. You can’t easily see or edit the entire memory in a clean, organized way. You can manage a list of memories, but you can’t structure them, prioritize them, or explain the nuance behind them. The memory that you prefer “concise, bulleted lists” doesn’t explain why or in which specific contexts.

Third, it leads to “context drift.” The AI might remember a random fact from a conversation three weeks ago and misapply it to your current request, leading to bizarre and unhelpful outputs. The junk drawer is overflowing, and the AI is grabbing the wrong things.

This is the definition of “Garbage In, Garbage Out.” When you feed your AI a chaotic, scattered stream of information, you get chaotic, scattered results.

The Skills.md Solution: From Junk Drawer to Precision Toolkit

A Skills.md file, used within a Claude Project, is the complete opposite. It is an active, structured, and controlled knowledge base. It is your single source of truth for how your AI should operate. Think of it as the ultimate cheat sheet you give to your new executive assistant.

With a Skills.md file:

• You Have Absolute Control: You write the manual. You define the rules. The AI is grounded in your document, not its own scattered recollections. The information is prioritized and structured by you, for you.
• The Results are Consistent and Reliable: Because the Skills.md file is always present as the core context, the AI’s performance doesn’t drift. It has a stable foundation to work from, every single time.
• It’s Transparent and Editable: Your Skills.md file is a simple text document. You can open it, read it, and change it at any time. If the AI makes a mistake, you don’t just correct it in the chat; you update the manual so it never makes that mistake again.

You are moving from being a passive user to an active builder. You are designing a system for high-performance AI collaboration. Now, let’s get it done.

Part 1: Exporting Your ChatGPT Memory

First things first, you need to gather the raw materials. While ChatGPT doesn’t have a one-click “export memories” button, you can easily collect them manually.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Log in to ChatGPT on your web browser.
2. Access Settings: Click on your profile name in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
3. Navigate to Personalization: In the settings menu, click on Personalization.
4. Manage Memories: Click on the Manage button. This will open a list of all the details ChatGPT has saved about you.
5. Copy Everything: Manually select all of the text in this section and copy it. Paste it into a new, clean text document. This is your raw material, the clay you are about to mold.

Don’t judge the mess. You’ll see a jumble of facts, preferences, and random notes. This is the chaos you are about to bring order to.

Part 2: Creating Your Skills.md File

This is where the transformation happens. You will now take that jumble of raw memories and structure it into a comprehensive Skills.md file. This is your opportunity to go beyond scattered facts and create a detailed user manual for your AI assistant.

The Skills.md Template

Use the following template as your foundation. Copy and paste this into a new text file and save it as Skills.md. Don’t feel pressured to fill everything out perfectly right away. Start by sorting your copied ChatGPT memories into the right sections, and then expand from there.

# My Personal & Professional Context for AI Collaboration

## 1. Who I Am

*   **Name:** [Your Name]
*   **Role:** [Your Role, e.g., Founder, CEO, AI Coach]
*   **Business:** [Your Business Name and a brief, one-sentence description]
*   **My Mission:** [What is the core purpose of your work? What drives you? Be specific and passionate.]

## 2. My Personality & Communication Style

*   **Tone:** [e.g., Direct and concise, fast-paced, big-picture first. I am an ADHD founder and entrepreneur.]
*   **Preferences:** [e.g., "I prefer data-driven arguments," "Get straight to the point, cut the fluff," "I think non-linearly and connect disparate ideas."]
*   **Things to Avoid:** [e.g., "Avoid jargon and corporate-speak," "Don’t use overly-enthusiastic or flowery language," "I dislike long, rambling paragraphs. Use short sentences."]

## 3. My Business Context

*   **Target Audience:** [Describe your ideal customer in detail. What are their pains, fears, wants, and aspirations?]
*   **Products/Services:** [List your core offerings. What problems do they solve?]
*   **Unique Value Proposition:** [What makes your business unique? What is your defensible advantage?]
*   **Key Goals:** [What are your current business objectives for this quarter? Be specific, e.g., "Increase lead generation by 20%," "Launch new online course."]

## 4. Frameworks & Methods I Use

*   **[Framework Name 1]:** [Brief description of the framework and when you use it. e.g., "Perfect Prompt Framework™ for all AI prompt creation."]
*   **[Framework Name 2]:** [Brief description of the framework and when you use it. e.g., "AIDA for writing marketing copy."]
*   **My Core Principles:** [List the guiding principles that inform your work. e.g., "Absolute integrity," "Build things that create value for others," "Speed > Simplicity > Correction."]

## 5. My Writing Style & Voice

*   **My Voice:** [Describe your writing voice. You can even paste in a sample of your writing that you want the AI to emulate. e.g., "JMast SELFscribe 2.5. Direct, fast-paced, big-picture first, cuts the fluff. Empathetic but direct."]
*   **Words/Phrases to Use:** [List any specific terminology you prefer. e.g., "leverage," "supercharge," "AI-powered"]
*   **Words/Phrases to Avoid:** [List any words or phrases you dislike. e.g., "in today’s digital age," "synergy," "game-changer"]
*   **Formatting Preferences:** [e.g., "Use GitHub-flavored Markdown for all formatting," "I prefer shorter paragraphs and bullet points for clarity," "Use **bold** for emphasis on key concepts."]

## 6. Tools & Platforms I Use

*   **Software:** [List the primary software you use, e.g., Notion, Slack, Google Workspace, Manus]
*   **Platforms:** [List the platforms you create content for, e.g., LinkedIn, jonathanmast.com]

## 7. Output Preferences

*   **Default Format:** [e.g., "Provide all answers in markdown format," "Use tables to organize and compare data."]
*   **Length:** [e.g., "Keep responses concise and to the point unless I ask for detail," "Provide detailed, step-by-step explanations for processes."]
*   **Stance:** [e.g., "Always take a proactive, action-oriented stance. Focus on building and creating solutions."]

Transforming Your ChatGPT Memories into Structured Gold

Now, go back to the raw text you copied from ChatGPT. Your job is to act as an editor. Sort each piece of information into the appropriate section of your new Skills.md template. But don’t just copy and paste. This is your chance to refine, expand, and add crucial context.

For example:

• A ChatGPT memory like, You are an AI Coach and Guide becomes Role: AI Coach and Guide helping businesses and organizations leverage AI in Section 1: Who I Am.
• A memory like, You prefer direct and concise language becomes Tone: Direct and concise, fast-paced, big-picture first. Cut the fluff. in Section 2: My Personality & Communication Style.
• A memory like, You run a website called jonathanmast.com goes into Section 6: Tools & Platforms I Use.

As you do this, you will notice gaps. Your ChatGPT memory probably doesn’t have your core principles or your detailed target audience profile. Great! This is your opportunity to add that high-level strategic context that will make your AI assistant truly powerful. Fill in the blanks. Be detailed. Be specific. This is the highest-leverage work you can do to improve your AI collaboration.

Part 3: Uploading Your Skills.md to a Claude Project

Once your Skills.md file is looking sharp, it’s time to put it to work. You will do this inside a Claude Project, which is a feature designed for exactly this kind of deep, context-rich work.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Go to Claude.ai and log in.
2. Create a New Project: In the left-side panel, click on Projects, and then click the + New Project button. Give your project a clear name, like “My AI Chief of Staff.”
3. Upload Your Skills.md File: Inside your new project, you will see a section for Project Knowledge. Click the + button or the “Add Content” button and select your Skills.md file from your computer.

That’s it. You’re done. Claude will now read and use your Skills.md file as the foundational context for every single conversation you have within that project. You have officially upgraded your AI.

The Power of Iteration: Your AI Is a Partner, Not a Vending Machine

Your Skills.md file is not a static document. It is a living system. As you work with your AI inside your new Claude Project, you will encounter moments of “friction.” These are moments when the AI’s output isn’t quite right. It might misunderstand a nuance or use a phrase you dislike.

Do not just edit the output and move on. See these moments for what they are: opportunities to improve your system. When you see a point of friction, open your Skills.md file and make an update. Clarify the instruction. Add a new preference. Refine a definition.

You can even ask Claude to help you. You can say, “That last response wasn’t quite right. It used too much corporate jargon. Let’s update my Skills.md file. Add a new rule under ‘Things to Avoid’ that says ‘Avoid all corporate jargon like synergy, circle back, or touch base.’”

By doing this, you create a continuous improvement loop. Your AI assistant gets smarter, more aligned, and more valuable with every interaction. It’s a partner that grows with you.

FAQ: Supercharging Your AI with Skills.md

Q: This seems like a lot of work. Is it worth it?

A: This is the highest-leverage work you can do. Spending one hour creating a detailed Skills.md file will save you hundreds of hours in the future. You will spend less time correcting your AI and more time getting high-quality, actionable results. It’s a classic case of sharpening the axe before you start chopping.

Q: Can I use this for other AIs, not just Claude?

A: Absolutely. The principles and the template are universal. Any advanced AI platform that allows you to upload a document or provide extensive custom instructions (like Manus, or ChatGPT with a file upload) can use this Skills.md file. The core idea is to provide a single source of truth for your AI’s context.

Q: How often should I update my Skills.md file?

A: Update it whenever you feel friction. A good practice is to review and refine it once a month. Are your business goals the same? Have you learned a new framework? Has your writing voice evolved? A quick monthly tune-up will keep your AI assistant perfectly aligned with you.

Q: What’s the most important section to get right?

A: They are all important, but if you’re just starting, focus on Section 2: My Personality & Communication Style and Section 5: My Writing Style & Voice. Getting the AI to communicate in a way that feels natural to you is the first and biggest win. It makes the entire collaborative process feel more seamless and effective.

Conclusion: Build the AI Assistant You Deserve

You wouldn’t hire a human assistant and give them zero training. You wouldn’t expect a new team member to read your mind. Yet, that’s how most people are using AI. They are throwing random requests at a generic tool and are then surprised by the mediocre results.

You are an entrepreneur. You are a builder. It’s time to build a better system for AI collaboration. By taking your scattered memories and forging them into a structured Skills.md file, you are not just personalizing your AI; you are transforming it into a genuine partner. You are creating an assistant that doesn’t just respond to your requests but anticipates your needs, understands your vision, and helps you build your future.

Stop settling for a forgetful AI. Take control, build your Skills.md file, and create the supercharged AI assistant you deserve.