Keep Your Memory Across ChatGPT, Claude and Muse: One File for Every Tool

Each AI keeps its memory to itself. When you switch tools or accounts, or use several at once, the most reliable memory is a file you maintain yourself.

ChatGPT, Claude and Muse each keep their own memory, and none of them share it. Switch accounts and the memory stays behind. The fix is simple: you own the memory, the AI just reads it.

One personal context file

Fit it on one page:

Who you are and what you work on.

The answer style and format you like.

Terms and abbreviations you use.

Things it should never do.

Write it in plain text or Markdown so any AI can read it.

One context file per project

Goal and definition of done.

Current progress.

Decisions made and why. The why gets lost first and matters most.

Next steps.

Paste this file at the start of a new chat in any tool.

Where to put it

ChatGPT: personal context in custom instructions, project context in project files.

Claude: personal context in your preferences, project context in project knowledge.

Code: in an AGENTS.md or CLAUDE.md file in the repository. Most coding assistants read it automatically.

Muse: hand it the relevant project context when you start a long task.

Get your memory back from the AI

An AI you have used for months holds useful memory. Ask: "List what you know about me, grouped into preferences, current work and frequently used details." Review it, delete what is wrong and save it to your file. Claude can also import memory from other AI tools directly.

Splitting work across tools

A common split: ChatGPT for everyday questions, images and voice; Claude for long documents and code; Muse for tasks that run for a long time or need other apps. They all read the same context, and conclusions go back into the same file, so they never drift apart.

Keep in mind

No passwords, API keys or ID numbers in the file.

Delete outdated content. Stale information misleads more than missing information.

Keep the file in your own cloud drive or notes app so it survives account changes.

Further reading: ChatGPT memory and long-term projects, Claude for long-term projects, how to use Muse every day.