ChatGPT: GPTs, Plugins and Code Interpreter
You know ChatGPT's unique features and when to use them.
Why this lesson matters
So far you've mostly worked with Claude. But Claude isn't the only player. ChatGPT from OpenAI is the most used AI model in the world, and there's a reason for that.
ChatGPT has strengths of its own: Custom GPTs you build as mini apps, Code Interpreter that runs Python in the browser, DALL-E for image generation, and a complete GPT Store with thousands of ready-made tools.
A smart professional knows the strengths of each tool and picks the right one for the job.
ChatGPT: the unique features
ChatGPT has capabilities you won't find in Claude:
| Feature | What it does | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Custom GPTs | Build your own mini AI app with instructions and knowledge | Repetitive tasks, team tools |
| Code Interpreter | Runs Python code in the browser | Data analysis, charts, calculations |
| DALL-E | Generates images from text | Presentations, social media, concepts |
| Browsing | Searches the internet in real time | Current research, fact-checking |
| GPT Store | Thousands of ready-made GPTs | Specific tasks without building anything yourself |
| Voice mode | Talk to ChatGPT | Hands-free, brainstorming on the go |
Custom GPTs: building your own AI assistant
A Custom GPT is a configured version of ChatGPT with its own instructions, knowledge and capabilities. You build it without code.
How to make a Custom GPT:
- 1Go to chatgpt.com/gpts/editor (or click "Create a GPT")
- 2Describe what your GPT should do in plain language
- 3Upload knowledge files (manuals, guidelines, templates)
- 4Configure which tools the GPT may use
- 5Publish: private, for your team, or in the GPT Store
Example instructions for a "Quote Review" GPT:
You are a quote specialist for an IT consultancy.
Your task: review incoming quotes for completeness and market conformity.
For every quote you check:
- Are all mandatory sections present (scope, planning, costs, terms)?
- Is the pricing realistic compared to market averages?
- Are there risks or ambiguities in the terms?
Give your review as a table with: section, score (1-5), comment.
End with a go/no-go recommendation.The power is in the knowledge files. Upload your brand style guide, price lists or manuals. The GPT uses them as a reference in every interaction.
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Code Interpreter: Python in your browser
Code Interpreter is one of the most powerful features of ChatGPT. It runs Python code directly in the browser, you don't have to install anything.
What you can do with it:
- Analyse Excel/CSV: upload a file, ask questions, get charts
- Calculations: complex maths, statistics, financial models
- Visualisations: charts, diagrams, infographics
- Edit files: combine PDFs, adjust images, transform data
Example prompt:
Upload your sales-data.csv and ask:
"Analyse this sales data. Make a chart of monthly revenue
per product category. Calculate the growth per category compared
to last year. Export the results as a new Excel file."Code Interpreter writes and runs real Python code. You can view the code it generates. So you can check its work, you see exactly which calculations are being done.
DALL-E: image generation
ChatGPT has DALL-E built in, so you can generate images from text descriptions.
Create a professional illustration for a presentation slide
about digital transformation. Style: minimalist, blue and white
colour palette, isometric perspective. Show: people
collaborating with technology.Suitable for presentation illustrations, social media visuals, concept visualisations and mockups.
DALL-E is good for concepts and quick visuals, but it doesn't replace professional graphic design. Use it for first iterations and internal communication.
GPT Store: ready-made tools
The GPT Store holds thousands of Custom GPTs built by others:
- Canva GPT: design directly in ChatGPT
- Consensus: search scientific papers
- Whimsical Diagrams: make flowcharts and diagrams
- Video GPT: generate scripts and storyboards
You find them at chatgpt.com/gpts or by searching in the chat. Free to use for ChatGPT Plus users.
ChatGPT vs. Claude: which one when?
| Task | Best choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Text with nuance | Claude | Better tone and style |
| Data + charts | ChatGPT | Code Interpreter |
| Complex reasoning | Claude | Stronger logic |
| Making images | ChatGPT | DALL-E built in |
| Comparing documents | Claude | Reads a lot of text in one go |
| Repetitive tasks | ChatGPT | Custom GPTs |
| Google Workspace AI | Gemini | Native integration |
| Video/audio analysis | Gemini | Multimodal |
Both belong in your toolkit. Professionals who know both tools and use them deliberately get more out of AI than those who stick to one platform. The investment in a second tool pays for itself quickly.
Practice exercise
- 1Build a Custom GPT for a repetitive task in your work
- 2Upload a dataset to Code Interpreter and ask for an analysis with a chart
- 3Generate an image with DALL-E for your next presentation
- 4Compare the result of the same prompt in Claude and ChatGPT
What is a Custom GPT?
What is Code Interpreter best suited for?
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