Define the scope
Write down whether you need a few project conversations or a broader archive. ChatShell exports selected accessible conversations; do not treat a batch selection as proof that an entire account has been archived. Save important original attachments separately.
Choose an account archive or a selected export
For an eligible account, ChatGPT’s built-in data export provides a ZIP containing chat history and account data. Use Settings → Data controls → Export data, then download and inspect the result. For managed workspaces without self-service export, ask the workspace owner about available data access.
Export the selected conversations
For a single chat, choose PDF, Markdown, DOCX, or JSON. For multiple chats, ChatShell Pro supports HTML, Markdown, DOCX, and JSON. Workspace export respects what your account can access; it does not expose other members’ private conversations.
Check completeness before cleanup
Compare the number and titles of the selected conversations with the results. Review failed items and retry them. If a missing-images.json report is included, inspect it and keep any necessary images separately.
Open a short conversation, a long one, and one with complex content. Check the first and last messages, tables, code, and formulas. A successful download alone does not establish that everything you needed was preserved.
Keep a recoverable copy
Keep a second copy on storage you control and check its access permissions. Try opening files from that copy. JSON is structured export data, not a guaranteed restore package for ChatGPT or another service.
For continuing projects, set yourself a reminder to repeat the export and verification. ChatShell does not run scheduled backups automatically.