How to Use ChatGPT: Everything You Need to Know

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A complete user-friendly guide to working with the ChatGPT AI

Co-authored by Rain Kengly Reviewed by Luigi Oppido

Last Updated: November 3, 2024 Fact Checked

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• Creating an Account
|
• Entering a Prompt
|
• Deleting Your Chat History

|Show more |Show less

Are you curious about ChatGPT? As a popular AI tool, ChatGPT can be used to generate answers to prompts and requests, engage in conversation, and more. You'll just need a phone number and email address to get started. Once you create an account, you can access ChatGPT and start using the chat feature. This wikiHow will show you how to get started using ChatGPT by creating an account, entering prompts, and managing your account history.

Things You Should Know

• You'll need a valid phone number and email address to create an OpenAI account.
• Once logged in, click "New chat". Enter a descriptive prompt and press "Enter" to send it.
• To delete your history, click "•••" → "Settings" → "Clear".

Steps

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Creating an Account

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1. 1
   Go to https://chat.openai.com/auth/login in a web browser. You can use a desktop or mobile browser. If you aren't logged into an existing account, you'll see Log in or Sign up.

   • You must have a valid phone number and email address to sign up for an account.
2. 2
   Click Sign up. This is the right button.
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3. 3
   Enter your email address and click Continue. You can also sign up using your Google, Microsoft, or Apple account. To do so, click the corresponding button.

   • If you register with a Google, Microsoft, or Apple account, skip to Step 6 once you're signed in.
4. 4
   Create a password and click Continue. Your password must be at least 8 characters long. Be sure to create a secure password.
5. 5
   Verify your email. OpenAI will send an email to your inbox that contains a verification link. Open the message from OpenAI, then click the link to verify your email address. If you don't see it, check your spam or junk folder.

   • If you didn't receive the email, click Resend email.
6. 6
   Enter your first and last names and click Continue. You can use a nickname if desired.
7. 7
   Enter your phone number and click Send code. ChatGPT will send you a text message for phone verification.

   • ChatGPT is not yet supported in all countries. If you have a phone number from an unsupported country, you won't be able to create an account. Additionally, virtual phone numbers (VoIP) won't be able to successfully bypass the verification check.
8. 8
   Enter the verification code and click Continue. Once your code is accepted, you'll be logged in. You can now start using ChatGPT.
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Entering a Prompt

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1. 1
   Understand the limitations and risks. ChatGPT can be used to create resumes and cover letters, solve formulas, and more. While it learns and updates frequently, the system isn't perfect. It's possible to receive false information or answers that seem right but don't make sense. Be sure to fact-check if you're using the answers as a reference.

   • If you want to use ChatGPT to write an essay for school, be aware that there are many ways to detect AI influence in written works. If you simply copy and paste from ChatGPT, it's very likely you'll be caught.
   • Always follow ChatGPT's usage policies; if you don't, your account may be suspended or terminated.
   EXPERT TIP

   

   Tyrone Showers

   Technologist

   Tyrone Showers is a Technologist and the Co-owner of Taliferro Group, an IT consulting company based in Seattle, Washington. With over 35 years of professional experience, he specializes in API Design, e-Commerce, Operational Efficiency, and website development. He has a B.S. in Computer Science from DeVry Institute of Technology.

   

   Tyrone Showers
   Technologist

   Pay close attention to the content ChatGPT generates. If you use ChatGPT often, you'll start noticing its patterns, like its tendency to begin articles with phrases like "in today's digital world." Once you spot patterns, you can refine your prompts to steer ChatGPT in a better direction and avoid repetitive content.
2. 2
   Open https://chatgpt.com/ in a web browser. If you aren't already logged in, click Log in to do so now. If this is your first prompt, you'll see the prompt field on the home page. Otherwise, click New chat in the top-left corner.
3. 3
   Enter a prompt or question. The AI relies on well-written prompts to answer appropriately and correctly. Be as clear and informative as possible; broad prompts usually lead to irrelevant answers. Better prompts will lead to better answers. Here are some popular examples—edit them as needed:

   • Write an outline:
     • "Write an outline for an essay about positive uses of AI chatbots in schools."
     • "Create an outline for a short 2-page essay on disinformation in the 2016 election."
   • Write an essay:
     • "Write a 2000-word college essay that covers different approaches to gun violence prevention in the United States. Include facts about gun laws and give ideas on how to improve them."
     • "Write a 4-page personal high school essay about the Israel-Palestine conflict, showing that I feel conflicted and want a peaceful solution."
   • Write code:
     • "Write a Python function that reverses a string using a slice."
     • Paste a code and enter "What's wrong with this code?"
   • Write a resume or cover letter:
     • "Create a professional resume template for a lawyer."
     • "Write me a cover letter that includes [your job experience]."
4. 4
   Click the arrow icon to send your prompt. You can also press Enter on your keyboard. The AI will begin generating your response immediately. If the prompt is too complex, you may need to break it into parts to avoid hitting the word limit. This can cause the AI to stop mid-sentence.
5. 5
   Enter additional information if needed. If ChatGPT needs more information, you'll be asked to provide it. This may happen on prompts with extensive requests, such as essays or cover letters. Input any other details for your prompt to help ChatGPT generate a proper response.
   EXPERT TIP

   

   Tyrone Showers

   Technologist

   Tyrone Showers is a Technologist and the Co-owner of Taliferro Group, an IT consulting company based in Seattle, Washington. With over 35 years of professional experience, he specializes in API Design, e-Commerce, Operational Efficiency, and website development. He has a B.S. in Computer Science from DeVry Institute of Technology.

   

   Tyrone Showers
   Technologist

   Create clear prompts for chatGPT. ChatGPT might stop mid-sentence due to temporary server overload from high traffic, or your request requires extra analysis. Try again after a few moments, preferably with a clearer prompt. ChatGPT is constantly learning, and these pauses are becoming less frequent.
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Deleting Your Chat History

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1. 1
   Click a chat. You can see a list of all active or past chats in the left panel. Select the chat you want to delete.

   • You'll be redirected to the chat's page.
2. 2
   Click the trash can icon. This will be next to the chat title in the left panel.
3. 3
   Click the checkmark icon. This will confirm your action to delete the chat. If you want to cancel the action, click the X instead.

   • The chat will be removed from your history.
4. 4
   Clear all history (optional). If you have a lot of chats you want to clear all at once, you'll need to do so from your settings.

   • Click ••• at the bottom-left corner.
   • Click Settings.
   • Click Clear next to Clear all chats.
   • If you want to turn off chat history completely, click the Data controls tab and toggle off Chat history & training.
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