Set up Essential for ChatGPT on Windows.
Download the kit from your purchase email, open the folder in your assistant and follow the guided setup. Allow 20 to 25 minutes.
Before you begin.
The ChatGPT desktop app for Windows with Codex selected and access to a local project folder.
Your own paid ChatGPT plan with Codex access. Usage limits depend on your plan. The kit does not include an OpenAI subscription.
From download to first task.
Download your kit.
Open your purchase email and click your download link. The same kit works with Claude and with ChatGPT, and no account is needed. Keep LICENSE.txt inside the folder. It records your license reference and your seat.
Unzip into a folder you control.
Right click the ZIP in File Explorer and choose Extract All. Pick a folder that OneDrive does not back up while you set up, then work from that folder rather than the ZIP.
Open the folder with Codex.
Sign in to the ChatGPT desktop app, select Codex and open the extracted kit folder as your local project. Start a new chat in that folder so the assistant can read the kit instructions.
Start the guided setup.
Ask: "Read this kit’s setup instructions and guide me through them one question at a time." Describe your role, business, writing style and recurring tasks. Review what it prepares and read the safety rules before connecting real accounts.
Review permissions before connecting accounts.
Allow access to this kit folder only. Keep approval prompts on for outside actions. Connect only the mail, calendar and files you need. Mail access must be limited to reading and drafting. Never grant permission to send. If a connection cannot be limited that way, leave it off and write to us.
Check Jordan and the specialists.
Ask: "Jordan, introduce yourself and list the specialists in this kit and their roles. Then draft a short morning briefing from the context I provide. Do not send anything or connect any accounts." Compare the answer with the team listed in your folder. If Jordan or the specialists are missing, stop and use the troubleshooting below.
Keep your own work when updating.
Your email links always give the current release while they are valid. Reply to the purchase email for fresh links or later updates. Back up your folder first, then follow the release notes to replace the system files and keep your own.
If something needs attention.
The download link expired.
Reply to your purchase email for fresh links. The emailed links work for 90 days and need no account.
My purchase email is missing.
Check the inbox and spam folder for the address entered at checkout. A delayed payment must clear first. For a team purchase, ask the purchaser for the files covered by your seat.
Jordan or a specialist is missing.
Confirm that the ZIP was fully extracted, that you opened the kit’s own folder rather than its parent, and that you chose the right download for your app. Restart the app and start a fresh session. If the check still fails, write to us with the email address you used at checkout. Do not send business documents.
The app asks for broader permissions.
Decline and check which action or connection asked for access. Keep sending, money and anything destructive under your control. Write to us before continuing if you are unsure.
Still stuck? Help and support.