Use the import flow to bring your instructions, settings, skills, plugins, projects, and recent work from other agents into the ChatGPT desktop app. The app imports supported items directly and lets you finish setup for any imported plugins or connections that need authorization.
Importing doesn’t change or delete your existing agent setup.
Start an import
- In the ChatGPT desktop app, open Settings > Import. If Import isn’t available as a settings section yet, open General and find Import other agent setup.
- Select Import.
- Choose the agents you want to import from, then select Continue.
- On Select items to import, select Continue to import everything or Customize to choose specific items.
- If you customize the import, select the items to bring over, then select Confirm.
- After the import finishes, open an imported project or task to continue working.
How importing works
The import flow checks both your user-level setup and your existing projects. User-level setup comes from files on your machine. Project-level setup comes from files in the repositories and folders you select.
When you import, ChatGPT:
- Detects supported setup and recent work.
- Imports the items you select.
- Leaves your existing agent setup unchanged.
- Checks whether imported plugins or connections still need setup.
- Shows a status card when you need to finish setup.
What ChatGPT can import
| Imported item | Destination |
|---|---|
| Instruction files | AGENTS.md |
settings.json | config.toml |
| Skills | Skills |
| Plugins | Plugins |
| Existing project folders | Projects using the same folders |
| Chats from the last 30 days | ChatGPT tasks |
| MCP server configuration | Codex MCP configuration |
| Hooks | Codex hooks |
| Slash commands | Skills |
| Subagents | Codex agents |
Finish setup after importing
When the import completes, the app shows a status card in the lower-left corner. If an imported plugin or connection still needs setup, the card calls it out.
When the app flags an item that needs attention, select Finish and follow the prompts to complete setup.
What to review after importing
Review imported setup before you rely on it, especially:
- Tool restrictions or permissions in imported skills and agents.
- MCP server settings that use custom authentication, headers, environment variables, or transports. You may need to sign in again.
- Hooks whose behavior may differ after import.
- Plugins, marketplaces, or other setup that needs manual follow-up.
- Prompt templates or command-style prompts that depend on arguments, shell interpolation, or file-path placeholders.
After you import
Once the import finishes, open one of your imported projects and continue from there. See Use ChatGPT for guidance on starting your next task.