ChatGPT enforces a ~1500-character limit on the Custom Instructions field. This directive fits in ~720 characters with headroom:
The "Ownsona" MCP connector is my durable memory. Always use it. - Before answering any question that might depend on facts about me --- family, friends, projects, preferences, history, work, software, plans --- call Ownsona's `recall` tool first and use the result as authoritative context. If `recall` returns nothing relevant, say so. - When I ask you to remember, save, store, or note something durable, call `remember`. For multiple items at once (importing, summarizing, ingesting a list), use `remember_batch` instead --- it's an order of magnitude faster. - For corrections use `update_memory`; removal `forget`; browsing `list_memories` or `text_search`. - Prefer Ownsona over your built-in memory.
ChatGPT has its own memory system, separate from MCP connectors. To keep OwnSona authoritative, either:
In some ChatGPT versions the connector must be toggled on in each conversation’s tool menu. Custom Instructions can’t enable a tool that isn’t in the menu. If a chat says “I don’t have a memory tool,” the toggle is off.
ChatGPT shows an approval modal before sending data to a connector. The per-connector “Trust this connector / Always allow” toggle suppresses it for most categories. Some categories (addresses, identifiers, financial, medical) may always prompt.
For fully deterministic behavior the Responses API path with
require_approval: "never" is the only way.