OpenAI Model Spec Explained: 5 Rules That Shape ChatGPT
Last updated: March 2026 The OpenAI Model Spec is a ~100-page public document that defines how ChatGPT and OpenAI API models should behave. It establishes a hierarchical chain of command — root rules that can never be overridden, system-level instructions from developers, and user-level preferences — to resolve conflicts between safety, helpfulness, and user freedom. … Read more