A quick tour of the ChatGPT screen: the sidebar, message box, model menu and the buttons under each answer.
What it is
The ChatGPT screen looks simple, but a lot is hidden behind a few buttons. This tour shows you where everything is, so you can find features quickly in later lessons.
OpenAI updates the design often, so the labels on your screen may be a little different. The main areas stay the same.
The three main areas
| Area | Where it is | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Sidebar | Left side (tap the menu icon on mobile) | New chat, search chats, projects, GPTs and your chat history |
| Chat area | Middle | Your conversation with ChatGPT |
| Message box (composer) | Bottom | Where you type, attach files, pick tools and use voice |
The sidebar
- New chat: starts a fresh conversation. Use it whenever you change topic.
- Search chats: finds any old conversation by a word in it.
- Library: shows the images you have created.
- GPTs: opens custom versions of ChatGPT built for specific jobs (covered in Custom GPTs).
- Projects: folders that keep related chats and files together (covered in ChatGPT Projects).
- Chat history: your past chats, newest first. Hover over one (or long-press on mobile) to rename, share, archive or delete it.
- Your profile: at the bottom. Opens Settings, Personalization, Upgrade plan, Help and Log out.
The message box
- Text field: type your prompt. Press Enter to send and Shift + Enter for a new line.
- + button: attach photos and files, or pick a tool such as web search, image creation or deep research.
- Microphone: dictate your message instead of typing.
- Voice button: starts a live, spoken conversation (see Voice Mode).
- Send arrow: sends your message. While ChatGPT is answering, it turns into a stop button.
The top bar
- Model menu (top left): shows which model or thinking level you are using. Free users see fewer choices. See ChatGPT Current Models.
- Share (top right): creates a link to the conversation that you can send to someone.
Buttons under each answer
Hover over a ChatGPT reply (or tap it on mobile) to see:
- Copy: copies the answer to your clipboard
- Thumbs up / down: tells OpenAI if the answer was good
- Read aloud: ChatGPT speaks the answer
- Try again: gets a different version of the same answer (see Editing, Regenerating and Branching Chats)
Example
Rahul wants an old chat about his Goa trip. Instead of scrolling, he clicks Search chats, types "Goa" and opens the conversation in one click. Then he starts a New chat to plan a different trip, so the Goa details don't mix in.
Try it yourself
Do this short tour on your own screen:
- Start a New chat and send:
Give me a 3-line poem about Mondays. - Click Try again under the answer to get a second version.
- Use Copy to copy the version you like.
- Find this chat again with Search chats.
Tips and common mistakes
- Sidebar missing? On small screens it is hidden. Tap the menu icon at the top left.
- Too many chats? Rename the important ones and archive the rest.
- Dark mode: open Settings, then General, and change the theme.
- Keyboard shortcuts: on the web, press Ctrl + / (Windows) or Cmd + / (Mac) to see the full list.
Free vs paid
The layout is the same on every plan. Paid plans show more options in the model menu and unlock extra tools in the + menu.
Next: compare what each plan includes in ChatGPT Plans Explained.
FAQ
Where is the chat history in ChatGPT?
Your past chats are listed in the left sidebar, newest first. On mobile, tap the menu icon at the top left to open the sidebar.
How do I start a new chat in ChatGPT?
Click New chat at the top of the sidebar. Start a new chat whenever you change topic so older details do not affect the answer.
How do I turn on dark mode in ChatGPT?
Open Settings from your profile menu, go to General, and choose the dark theme.