# Import Chat History

Bring your conversations from ChatGPT, Claude, or other AI tools into OpenCharts so you can keep all your context and ideas in one place.

## How It Works

1. Export your chat history from ChatGPT or Claude (see steps below)  
2. Open **AI Chat** in OpenCharts  
3. Click **Import Chats** in the sidebar  
4. Select your source, upload the file, preview conversations, and import

Your imported conversations are automatically organized into a source-specific folder (e.g. "Claude Chats" or "ChatGPT Chats") in the chat sidebar. The original timestamps and message content are preserved.

## Supported Sources

### ChatGPT (OpenAI)

Format: `ZIP containing conversations.json`

1. Open ChatGPT and click your profile icon  
2. Go to Settings → Data Controls → Export Data  
3. Click Export and confirm — you'll receive an email with a download link  
4. Download the ZIP file and upload it to OpenCharts

### Claude (Anthropic)

Format: `ZIP / .dms file containing JSON`

1. Open Claude and click your initials in the bottom-left  
2. Go to Settings → Privacy → Export Data  
3. Wait for the email with a download link (valid for 24 hours)  
4. Download the file and upload it to OpenCharts

### Third-party exporters

Format: `JSON (chatgpt-exporter, claude-export, etc.)`

1. Use a browser extension or script to export your chat (e.g. ChatGPT Exporter, Claude Export Tool)  
2. Choose JSON as the export format  
3. Upload the exported .json file to OpenCharts

## Preview & Selection

Before importing, OpenCharts parses your file and shows a preview of all conversations found. You can:

- See the total conversation and message count  
- Deselect conversations you don't want to import  
- Use Select All / Deselect All for bulk control

## Chat Folders

Chat folders let you organize your conversations into groups — by topic, project, source, or however you prefer.

### Create & manage folders

Click **New Folder** in the chat sidebar. Give it a name, pick a color, choose an icon, and optionally add a sticker for quick visual identification.

### Customization

Each folder can have a custom color (12 options), an icon (20+ choices like Briefcase, Code, Flask, Heart, etc.), and an optional sticker (emoji-style decorators like 🔥, ⭐, 🎯). Edit these anytime from the folder's context menu.

### Move conversations

Right-click any conversation and choose **Move to Folder** to file it into a folder, or drag it from the unfiled section. Conversations without a folder appear under "Conversations" at the bottom.

## Automatic Import Folders

When you import chats, OpenCharts automatically creates a folder for the source provider:

- **ChatGPT Chats** — green folder for ChatGPT imports  
- **Claude Chats** — orange folder for Claude imports  
- **Imported Chats** — violet folder for other sources

If you import again from the same source, the new conversations are added to the existing folder — no duplicates. The folder is highlighted briefly after import so you can find it instantly.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What file formats are supported?

JSON files and ZIP archives containing JSON. This includes ChatGPT's native export (conversations.json), Claude's native export (.dms/ZIP), and third-party exporter JSON files.

### Is there a file size limit?

Yes, the maximum upload size is 50 MB. This is enough for most export histories (thousands of conversations).

### Can I continue imported conversations?

Imported conversations are read-only history. You can view them, but to continue the thread you'll need to start a new conversation and reference the imported one.

### How can I tell which conversations were imported?

Imported conversations live inside their source folder (e.g. "Claude Chats"). Individual messages also show the source provider label in the model field.

### Can I rename or customize import folders?

Yes — import folders are regular folders. Right-click one to change its name, color, icon, or sticker. You can also move conversations out of it.

**Auto-detection:** OpenCharts automatically detects whether your file is from ChatGPT, Claude, or a third-party exporter — you don't need to specify the exact format.