How to Use New ChatGPT Features in 2026

TL;DR

Use ChatGPT’s 2026 features by choosing the tool that fits the task: Custom Instructions for personalization, Reason mode for complex reasoning, Canvas for text or coding projects, and deep research for organized web research. The updated Custom Instructions interface has four fields, while Reason activates the 03 Mini model for a limited number of questions. Read on for practical guidance on each major feature.

Transcript

There's been a lot going on with Chad GBT lately. GBT 4.5 got released, four brand new Reason models, something called autonomous operator plus canvas, search, deep research, basically a ton of cool stuff. If you really want to get the most out of Chad GBT, you've got to know how to use all these features correctly. So, in this video, I'm going to ... Read More

Key Insights

• GPT 4.5 is an upgraded version with improved accuracy and human-like responses, but lacks reasoning capabilities.
• Custom Instructions now include four input fields for personalization, enhancing user interaction with ChatGPT.
• Reason mode utilizes the 03 Mini model, focusing on reasoning, complex math, and coding, providing more detailed responses.
• Canvas is a new feature for collaborative work, allowing users to edit and manage projects within a split-screen interface.
• Advanced voice mode improves voice interaction quality, providing a more natural and human-like experience.
• Scheduled tasks allow users to receive information at specific times, enhancing productivity and task management.
• Deep research mode conducts thorough web searches, offering organized, concise responses with source links.
• Operator is a beta feature enabling task automation like booking and ordering, but is currently limited to US pro users.

Questions & Answers

Q: How do you use the new ChatGPT features in 2026?

Choose each feature according to the task: Custom Instructions for personalized responses, Reason mode for complex math and coding, Canvas for text or coding projects, and deep research for thorough web searches. Scheduled tasks automate information delivery, advanced voice makes spoken responses more natural, and Operator handles actions such as booking and ordering.

Q: How do you set up Custom Instructions in ChatGPT?

Click your profile and choose “Customize ChatGPT.” Complete the four fields with your name or alias, what you do and need, the personality or traits you want ChatGPT to have, and any other relevant information or tasks.

Q: What does Reason mode do in ChatGPT?

The Reason button activates the 03 Mini model for a limited number of questions. It focuses on reasoning, complex math, and coding, so prompts may need to be adjusted compared with prompts written for 40 or 40 Mini.

Q: What is Canvas in ChatGPT?

Canvas is a collaborative workspace for text and coding projects. Its split-screen interface lets users provide instructions on one side and work with the resulting document or code on the other.

Q: What is the difference between ChatGPT 4.5 and a reasoning model?

ChatGPT 4.5 is described as smarter, more accurate, and more humanlike than 40, but it does not have reasoning capabilities. For reasoning, the guide says to use 01 or activate Reason mode, which uses 03 Mini for a limited number of questions.

Q: How does advanced voice improve ChatGPT?

Advanced voice makes ChatGPT’s spoken responses sound more natural and humanlike. It only affects voice interactions, so users will not notice a difference when communicating through text.

Q: How do scheduled tasks and deep research work in ChatGPT?

Scheduled tasks deliver information at specified times and can support summaries, updates, or reminders. Deep research conducts thorough web searches and returns organized responses with source links, including information gathered from web pages and PDFs.

Q: What can ChatGPT Operator automate?

Operator is a beta feature that can automate browsing tasks such as booking, ordering, filling out forms, and making reservations. The page states that it is currently limited to US pro users.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• ChatGPT 4.5 offers new features like Custom Instructions and Reason mode, enhancing user experience by allowing more personalized and detailed interactions. The Custom Instructions interface now includes four fields, enabling users to tailor responses more effectively. Reason mode, using the 03 Mini model, focuses on complex reasoning tasks, providing more in-depth answers.

• Canvas is a collaborative tool within ChatGPT, designed for text and coding projects. It allows users to manage documents in a split-screen interface, enhancing productivity and collaboration. The advanced voice mode improves the quality of voice interactions, making them more natural and human-like, though it lacks memory capabilities.

• Scheduled tasks and deep research features in ChatGPT aim to boost productivity by automating information delivery and conducting thorough web searches. Operator, a beta feature, offers task automation like booking and ordering, but is currently available only to US pro users. These updates collectively enhance the functionality and application of ChatGPT.