Persistent Project Memory or "Pinned Thread" Support for Long-Term Use

Problem

For users working on multi-session projects, it’s frustrating when ChatGPT forgets recent refinements, reverses prior logic, or loses track of critical constraints.

This is especially disruptive in:

  • Complex code refactoring efforts
  • Long-running database or infrastructure planning
  • Documentation drafts and legacy capture
  • Design systems that evolve across many iterations

Having to re-explain goals, context, and decisions repeatedly is both inefficient and error-prone.


Proposed Feature

Introduce a “Pinned Thread” or “Persistent Project Memory” capability with these characteristics:

  • User-defined project scope (e.g., “GiftCardList component”, “Ops Schema Redesign”)
  • Editable context summary pinned to the thread (like a README for the session)
  • Explicit memory control — user can commit, override, or delete entries
  • Memory persists across sessions until unpinned

This provides structure and continuity without relying on full recall of all messages.


Benefits

  • Dramatically improves experience for power users and developers
  • Reduces cognitive and conversational friction
  • Prevents logic regression due to AI forgetting prior refinement
  • Supports iterative design, code, and planning workflows

Optional Enhancements

  • Memory Diff Log: Track changes to project memory over time
  • Restore Point: Ability to roll back to a previous project state
  • Named Pinned Memory: Multiple concurrent persistent threads (e.g., “Spa Manager”, “China Trip Prep”, “AI-Enhanced Backup System”)

Summary

This would bridge the gap between short-form, ephemeral chats and full long-term memory — enabling ChatGPT to function as a truly collaborative assistant for complex, ongoing tasks.


Submitted by:
MDD
(Full-stack developer, infrastructure designer, and long-term user of ChatGPT for real-world work)