Hey friends,
If you don’t already know, ChatGPT got a big update.
We now have access to 2 new models: GPT 5 and GPT 5 (Thinking).
And you may have noticed all the other models are gone.
It’s available to all users, including free.
I’ve been testing GPT-5 in ChatGPT for over 48 hours now, and I’m here to give you my thoughts, tips and insights to make the most out of it.
I actually had a different newsletter drafted and read to go.
But when OpenAI launches something as reportedly big as GPT 5, I knew I needed to do an emergency stop, and instead focus on ChatGPT.
I’m here to help and I’ll share what I learn about GPT 5.
And soon, after I’ve spent more time with GPT 5 I’ll share more updates.
For now, let me take you through what I’ve learned so far.
Let’s go.
⚡ What’s Changed (That Actually Matters)
From my early testing and from what others are noticing, GPT-5 feels different in a few key ways:
- Much stronger reasoning + instruction follow-through
- Better multi-step planning in one go (less hand-holding)
- More adaptable to your style & tone
- Sharper at multimodal tasks
- Better at coding
- Less hallucinations
The biggest unlock I truly feel is that all other ChatGPT features and functions are “improved”.
This gives OpenAI a baseline to build on top of - GPT 5 will open up many new use cases for the average user of AI.
It’s a strong model, in the hands of millions.
Definitely worth paying attention to.
🛠 How I’ll Be Using GPT-5 Day-to-Day
Over the next few weeks, here’s where I see GPT-5 fitting right into my workflow:
- Writing & editing → Drafting newsletters, polishing threads, keeping my tone consistent without endless rewrites
- Agent mode → Letting it run mini-projects from start to finish without me micromanaging every step
- Research & synthesis → Pulling clean, usable takeaways from reports, emails, websites and transcripts, without swimming through fluff
- Prototyping in Canvas → Turning half-formed ideas into working mockups I can share for feedback on the same day
- Smarter everything → CustomGPTs, Projects, and even web search feel sharper, like the whole ChatGPT experience just levelled up (I broke this down in a Thread)
💡 7 GPT-5 Prompting Tips To Get You Started
I read through OpenAI’s new GPT-5 prompting guide so you don’t have to.
Here’s the distilled, human-friendly version so you can start using GPT with confidence today.
- Think of it as a collaborator, not just a tool
Instead of “write me X,” ask it to plan first, then produce.
Example: “Let’s break this into steps first, then give me the best final version.”
This plays to GPT-5’s strength in structured, agent-style thinking.
For tougher problems or when you need a little more horsepower for your answer, ask to “think harder”. GPT 5 has reasoning built in, and the AI will apply just the right level of thinking to get you the best output.
- Be crystal-clear about detail level
Want a short answer? Say so. Want depth? Say that too.
Example: “Give me a quick overview in 3 bullet points.”
Or: “Explain this fully, with examples I can apply today.”
- Get it to create a ‘hidden checklist’
Ask GPT-5 to quietly decide what a great answer needs, and then meet that standard.
Example: “Think of a 5-point checklist for a great answer, then give me the best version possible.”
- Encourage self-reflection
Before it replies, nudge it to review its own work.
Example: “If you didn’t hit your checklist, improve it before showing me.”
- Keep instructions consistent
Avoid asking for contradictory things like “make it short” and “explain in detail” in the same breath. Pick one to stop confusing the model.
- Describe your preferred style
Format, tone, and structure all matter. Tell it exactly what you want.
Example: “Write in warm, clear language, short paragraphs, and bullet points where possible.”
Add these to your prompts and you’ll notice GPT-5 feels more like a partner who “gets it” and not your typical AI chatbot.
🫡 Final Thoughts
GPT-5 isn’t a flashy “brand-new toy” moment, it’s a better foundation and more reliable.
That’s a quiet but important shift for people like me and you who are using AI every day (or are starting to).
It feels more like a teammate who just “gets it” when you explain what you need.
It keeps your style, follows steps and does more in one go.
That makes it easier and faster to turn ideas into something usable.
You might be surprised at how much less you need to “fix” now.
Reply back if you want a more in-depth guide on a workflow with GPT 5.
Here’s to working smarter,
Nahid
