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Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Shutterstock) GPT-5 is finally here, and depending on who you ask, it’s either a massive leap forward or a disappointing model that doesn’t deserve the hype. If you’ve been using ChatGPT-5 this past week, you’ve probably noticed that the new model feels different from GPT-4o. It’s faster, deeper and more intuitive, but also more likely to assume, overanalyze or completely shift the tone of your request. Whether you’re loving it or low-key missing GPT-4o, the way to get better results with GPT-5 is understanding how it thinks and prompting accordingly. These 7 prompts are designed to show off what GPT-5 does well and help you sidestep some of the growing pains. Think of them as a warm-up round for your new AI co-pilot. You may like I test AI for a living — here's 7 prompts for getting the most out of ChatGPT-5 I was struggling with GPT-5's new Thinking mode — these 6 tweaks boosted my results I can’t stop using these 5 ChatGPT prompts — they’re next-level genius 1. Scheduling and workflow (Image credit: Shutterstock) Prompt: "Think step-by-step: Help me create a weekly schedule that balances work, family time and exercise. Keep it realistic for a parent with young kids." My life is pretty hectic from morning until night, which is why this prompt works for me. If you have a similar chaotic family life or an incredibly busy work schedule, this type of prompt is where GPT-5 shines. When you ask it to think step-by-step you'll discover the deeper reasoning for realistic, multi-variable planning. 2. Organization (Image credit: Shutterstock) Prompt: "Organize my messy Google Drive into clear folders and subfolders. I’ll paste a list of file names." GPT-5 can recognize patterns, which makes it a pro at organization, categorization and decluttering. It can spot naming conventions, redundant versions and suggest file clean-up strategies (like archiving old drafts or grouping by year or project). You can even ask it to output the structure in a ready-to-copy format, which is perfect if you’re rebuilding your folder tree manually or importing it into a tool. Sign up to get the BEST of Tom's Guide direct to your inbox. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. If digital clutter overwhelms you like it does for me, this prompt turns GPT-5 into a surprisingly sharp personal assistant. 3. Family life (Image credit: wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock) Prompt: Plan a Sunday family day that works for kids ages 4, 8, and 10, includes one indoor and one outdoor activity and stays under $50." Unlike a time-strapped human, GPT-5 can multi-task, juggling everything at once with ease. Prompts that give specifics are no problem for this AI, so go ahead and let it take all the leg work out of planning your social life and weekend activities. 4. Lifestyle & health (Image credit: Shutterstock) Prompt: "Turn my grocery list into a healthy meal plan for the week, and rearrange it so the meals with fresh produce are earlier in the week." OpenAI upgraded several aspects of ChatGPT with this model, including health and wellness. While AI should never take the place of a human doctor, this type of prompt can help you better balance your health and lifestyle to stay on track where it matters most. 5. Culture & entertainment (Image credit: Getty Images) Prompt: "I want to finish the summer off with another book. Recommend 5 books based on my favorite shows: [list 3–4 shows you love]." As someone who always has at least two books going at once and regularly binges shows, this prompt is one of my favorites. It combines everything I love about entertainment while also channeling GPT-5's ability to brainstorm. Prompts that combine your favorite things lean into the upgraded cultural matching to connect media tastes across formats. 6. Social skills (Image credit: Shutterstock) Prompt: "Give me 5 conversation starters for meeting new people at my kid’s soccer game that aren’t small talk about the weather." GPT-5 has a knack for generating natural, situationally relevant ideas and dialogue. Don't be afraid to turn to this advanced chatbot next time you're at a loss for words when socializing. This type of prompt is best done in the ChatGPT app when you're on-the-go and need immediate advice. 7. Pop culture catch-up (Image credit: Getty Images) Prompt:"Explain the latest pop culture trend everyone’s talking about as if I’m a busy parent who hasn’t been on social media in a month." The only thing that seems to move faster than the evolution of AI is the next pop culture trend. Stay in-the-know (and maybe use this in combination with the previous prompt) by asking GPT-5 to summarize and adjust tone for a specific audience. Whether you're trying to come up with your next TikTok post or connect with your teen, this prompt is a good one to have on hand. Final thoughts Whether you’re still adjusting to GPT-5 or you’ve already made it your go-to assistant, one thing’s clear: this model thrives when you give it structure, specificity and a little direction. These prompts are so much more productivity hacks because they actually help you build a better understanding of how to use this upgraded model. GPT-5 may not be perfect, but when you learn how to prompt it well, it’s surprisingly great at helping you live, work and do just about everything else a little smarter (and easier). Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button. More from Tom's Guide GPT-4 isn’t gone — here’s how to use it for free right now From hyper-personal assistants to mind-reading tech — this is how AI will transform everything by 2035 Google’s new Genie 3 could be a watershed moment for AI and gaming — here’s why Back to Gaming Laptops Intel Core i7 Intel Core i9 Storage Size Screen Size Refurbished Showing 10 of 65 deals Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2025) (14-inch 1TB) $1,680.56View MSI Cyborg 15 (15.6-inch 512GB) $884.90View Alienware x14 R2 Gaming Laptop (14-inch 1TB) $1,491.44View Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2025) (14-inch 1TB) $1,799.99View MSI Cyborg 15 (15.6-inch 512GB) $1,225.99View Alienware x14 R2 Gaming Laptop $1,499View Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2025) $2,099.99View MSI Cyborg 15 $1,229.99View Alienware x14 R2 Gaming Laptop (14-inch 1TB) $2,094.99View Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2025) (14-inch 2TB) $2,399View Amanda Caswell Social Links Navigation Amanda Caswell is an award-winning journalist, bestselling YA author, and one of today’s leading voices in AI and technology. A celebrated contributor to various news outlets, her sharp insights and relatable storytelling have earned her a loyal readership. Amanda’s work has been recognized with prestigious honors, including outstanding contribution to media. Known for her ability to bring clarity to even the most complex topics, Amanda seamlessly blends innovation and creativity, inspiring readers to embrace the power of AI and emerging technologies. As a certified prompt engineer, she continues to push the boundaries of how humans and AI can work together. Beyond her journalism career, Amanda is a bestselling author of science fiction books for young readers, where she channels her passion for storytelling into inspiring the next generation. A long-distance runner and mom of three, Amanda’s writing reflects her authenticity, natural curiosity, and heartfelt connection to everyday life — making her not just a journalist, but a trusted guide in the ever-evolving world of technology. 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I test AI for a living — here's 7 prompts for getting the most out of ChatGPT-5 I was struggling with GPT-5's new Thinking mode — these 6 tweaks boosted my results I can’t stop using these 5 ChatGPT prompts — they’re next-level genius I tried the five most popular ChatGPT prompts of all time — these were the best ones These 7 AI prompts will instantly boost your results — here’s how The only 5 prompt types you need to master ChatGPT (and any other chatbot) Latest in AI I tested ChatGPT-5 Study mode vs Claude Learning mode with 7 prompts — and there's a clear winner Gemini on the Pixel Watch 3 was supposed to solve my biggest issue with Google's voice commands — but it apparently made it worse I was struggling with GPT-5's new Thinking mode — these 6 tweaks boosted my results What is ChatGPT-5? — new features, how to use it, plans, pricing and more Sam Altman's bold prediction: Gen Alpha grads could skip the cubicle and head right for high-paying jobs in space Claude’s new ‘learning modes’ take on ChatGPT’s Study Mode — here’s what they do Latest in Features Everything we know about Doctor Doom after 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' iPhone 17 Air — here's where Apple can succeed where Samsung failed I’ve been taking this screen-free digital camera everywhere with me — here’s why I prefer it to my phone Aphids will avoid your garden this summer if you sprinkle this $3 baking staple I was struggling with GPT-5's new Thinking mode — these 6 tweaks boosted my results I just got my first gaming keyboard — here’s why I’ll never use a regular board again LATEST ARTICLES The iPhone's new Snooze Duration option is the most dangerous iOS 26 feature — here's how you can try it for yourself According to a yoga instructor, this 20-minute flow can increase your flexibility and build strength from home 7 best animated movies on Netflix you can stream right now UFC 319 LIVE: Du Plessis vs Chimaev, watch from anywhere, fight times, live updates iPhone 17 release date rumors — this could be the full schedule Tom's Guide is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. 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