How to Optimize ChatGPT Settings for Engineering Workflows
- Patrick Law
- Oct 14
- 2 min read
If you're using ChatGPT straight out of the box, you're only getting a fraction of what it's capable of. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the exact steps to optimize ChatGPT’s settings so it performs better, works faster, and protects your data. These tweaks are especially useful for engineers handling complex projects, files, and calculations.
Step 1: Open Settings
Start by clicking your profile icon and selecting Settings.
This is where you'll find all configuration options to improve your ChatGPT experience.
Step 2: Adjust General Settings
Path: Settings → General
Here you can:
Change Theme (light/dark mode)
Set Language
Adjust Accessibility features
Tip: Pick a theme and layout that makes long sessions more comfortable — especially if you're using GPT for documentation or code generation.
Step 3: Set Custom Instructions
Path: Settings → Personalization → Custom Instructions
ChatGPT can adapt to your style. Use these fields to guide how it responds:
How you’d like ChatGPT to respond: “Use bullet points and concise answers suited for technical workflows.”
What ChatGPT should know about you: “I’m a process engineer. Prioritize logic, calculations, and clarity.”
Why this matters: It improves consistency and makes GPT feel like your assistant — not a generic chatbot.
Step 4: Enable or Disable Memory
Path: Settings → Personalization → Memory
Here you can:
Enable Memory to save recurring instructions or preferences
Disable it if you’re working on sensitive or client-specific tasks
Engineering Tip: Enable memory for long-term internal projects. Disable it when switching between clients or external work.
Step 5: Connect External Tools
Path: Settings → Connectors
Connect ChatGPT to:
Google Drive
Google Calendar
GitHub
Once linked, you can ask GPT questions like:🗣 “Summarize last week’s engineering logs from my Drive.”🗣 “What’s on my calendar today?”
Why it's useful: ChatGPT becomes a smart query tool for your own engineering files.
Step 6: Lock Down Data Controls
Path: Settings → Data Controls
Do this:
Turn OFF "Improve the model for everyone" (available to paid users)
Use Export to download your data
Use Delete to clear past conversations
Why it matters: Engineers often handle IP-sensitive data. This protects your privacy.
By customizing these areas, you turn ChatGPT into a real assistant, one that understands engineering workflows, respects your privacy, and works faster with your tools.
We build and test AI workflows that engineers actually use.
Explore more tools and how we use AI at Singularity: https://www.singularityengineering.ca/general-4
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