Using AI on a free tier

What changes on a free AI plan?

Free AI plans can still be useful, but they usually have tighter limits than paid or institutional plans. Limits may affect message volume, file uploads, project knowledge, model access, response length, speed or how often you can continue a long conversation.

Because provider rules change, treat this page as general guidance rather than a promise about any specific platform.

Use the smallest file that fits the task

For most students, the best free-tier setup is simple:

Upload one mini library for the kind of help you need.

• Writing improvement: use the Writing Tutor Library.
• Paragraph or whole-draft structure: use the Structure Tutor Library.
• Argument, evidence or concepts: use the Academic Thinking Tutor Library.
• Dissertation or project planning: use the Research Proposal Tutor Library.
• Revision planning or AI-use records: use the Study Workflow Tutor Library.

Use the master library only when you really want the whole toolkit in one file. If a mini library is still too large, try the single-tool downloads and load only the one tool you need.

Use short, clean extracts

Free plans tend to work better with focused material. A sentence, paragraph, section, feedback comment or roughly 800 words is usually easier than a whole document.

Plain text or Markdown often works better than a heavily formatted document. It makes the structure easier for the AI tool to read, but it does not make your text private.

Projects and uploaded knowledge

Some free AI tools now include project-style spaces where you can keep files and instructions together. For example, ChatGPT Projects currently allow Free users to upload a limited number of files per project, and Claude Projects are currently available to free users with a limit on the number of projects.

These limits change. Check the current help pages for the tool you are using before building a class or department workflow around them.

What to do if the AI drifts

Free plans may be more likely to shorten, simplify or ignore parts of a long prompt library. If the AI starts using the wrong tool or giving too much information, try:

• typing prompt to return to the menu;
• saying Use only WT5 from the uploaded library or the relevant tool code;
• starting a fresh chat with only the mini library you need;
• switching to a single-tool download if the mini library is too large;
• using a shorter extract of your work.