#Cannot Change Model Within Projects in Desktop App (Opens New Chat Outside Project)

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keen pumiceBOT
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Reported by @patent stratus

Bug Report: Cannot Change Model Within Projects in Desktop App (Opens New Chat Outside Project)
`Steps to Reproduce`
  1. Open the ChatGPT Desktop app (macOS, tested on latest build as of Sept 7, 2025).
    2. Open or create a Project (with files loaded).
    3. Attempt to change the LLM/model (e.g., switch from GPT‑4o to GPT‑4.1, GPT-5, etc)
    4. Observe: Instead of changing the model inside the project conversation, the app launches a brand-new chat outside the project, losing access to the files and project context.
`Expected Result`

When changing the LLM/model inside a Project, the active conversation should seamlessly continue; No loss of context, no reset, no detour. The switch should work exactly like it does on web: the current chat stays open, files and project context remain, and only the model changes behind the scenes.

`Actual Result`

Changing the model inside a Project immediately kicks you out of the Project and opens a new generic chat, with all files and context lost.
Worse, if you return to the Project, you’re stuck with the same model you started with. You cannot change the model at all within the Project. This is a huge problem for anyone needing a bigger context window or needing a model that can do a better research for something.

`Environment`

macOS Desktop App (latest build) ; Companion Mode and Main App (both affected) ; Projects feature enabled, multiple files loaded ; ChatGPT Plus subscription

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Additional Information

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  • ChatGPT Shared Link (if applicable).
  • Screenshots or videos demonstrating the problem.

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