Appendix G: Feature Translation Table
The [ALSO] blocks throughout this book point here for the full reference. This table is a living document — tool features change, names change, new tools emerge. Current version maintained at majordomo.dwk.io/features.
The book uses Claude as its default example. Every feature named in this table exists in some form across all major tools, but the names differ. This table is your vocabulary key.
Persistent Memory and Context
| What it does | Claude | Gemini | ChatGPT | Copilot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Save instructions that apply to every conversation | Profile preferences / Styles | System Instructions | Custom Instructions | Custom Instructions |
| Save info about you that persists across chats | Memory | Personalization | Memory | (limited) |
| Named workspace for related conversations | Project | Gem | GPT (custom) | (not available) |
| Upload files to reference across conversations | Project files | Gem files | GPT knowledge | (limited) |
Note on Projects / Gems / Custom GPTs: These are the most important feature to understand across tools. In Claude, a Project is a named workspace where you store instructions, background documents, and a history of related conversations — your AI majordomo’s briefing folder for a specific domain of your life. In Gemini, the equivalent is a Gem. In ChatGPT, it is a custom GPT. In Copilot, this capability is limited. The underlying concept is identical: you tell the tool once who you are and what you need in this context, and it remembers for every subsequent conversation in that space.
The one asymmetry: Claude Projects and Gemini Gems are free to create. Creating a new ChatGPT custom GPT requires a Plus subscription — free ChatGPT users can only use custom GPTs someone else has already published, not build their own. If you are on ChatGPT’s free tier, use Custom Instructions plus Memory (the rows above) instead. It is not a separate workspace, but it accomplishes the same goal: you stop re-explaining your situation every conversation. Verify current status at the companion site.
Conversation Management
| What it does | Claude | Gemini | ChatGPT | Copilot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start a fresh conversation | New Chat | New Chat | New Chat | New Topic |
| Named saved conversation | Chat / Thread | Conversation | Chat | Thread |
| Search past conversations | Search | Search | Search | (limited) |
| Share a conversation | Share link | Share link | Share link | (limited) |
File and Document Handling
| What it does | Claude | Gemini | ChatGPT | Copilot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upload a file to the current conversation | Attach file | Upload file | Attach file | Upload file |
| Paste text directly | Paste in message | Paste in message | Paste in message | Paste in message |
| Analyze an image | Attach image | Upload image | Attach image | Upload image |
| Generate an image | (via third-party) | ImageFX / Imagen | GPT Image (native) | Designer |
Web and Search
| What it does | Claude | Gemini | ChatGPT | Copilot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Search the web in real time | Web search (free + paid) | Default on | Available (free) | Default on |
| Cite sources from web results | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Access current news | Paid tier | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Extended Thinking and Reasoning
| What it does | Claude | Gemini | ChatGPT | Copilot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slow, step-by-step reasoning mode | Extended thinking | Deep Research | Thinking / reasoning models | Think Deeper |
| Standard fast response | Default | Default | Default | Default |
Model names and reasoning-mode labels change several times a year. Verify current names at the companion site.
Voice and Interface
| What it does | Claude | Gemini | ChatGPT | Copilot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Talk to your Agent by voice | Voice (mobile) | Voice (mobile) | Voice / Advanced Voice | Voice |
| Mobile app | iOS / Android | iOS / Android | iOS / Android | iOS / Android |
| Desktop app | Mac / Windows | (browser) | Mac / Windows | (built into Windows) |
| Browser integration | (extension) | Chrome integration | (extension) | Edge built-in |
Paid vs. Free
| Pricing | Claude | Gemini | ChatGPT | Copilot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free tier name | Claude (free) | Gemini | ChatGPT Free | Copilot (free) |
| Standard paid tier | Claude Pro | Google AI Pro | ChatGPT Plus | Microsoft 365 Premium |
| Standard paid price | ~$20/mo | ~$20/mo | $20/mo | ~$20/mo |
| Higher paid tiers exist | Yes (Max) | Yes (Ultra) | Yes (Pro) | Enterprise |
| Key paid benefit | Higher limits, extended thinking, Projects | Latest Gemini model, more Gems | Full access to flagship model, more GPTs, ability to create custom GPTs | Priority access, bundled with Office apps and storage |
Microsoft retired the standalone Copilot Pro plan in late 2025 and folded its AI features into Microsoft 365 Premium, which bundles them with the Office apps and extra storage rather than selling AI access on its own.
All pricing and feature availability subject to change. See majordomo.dwk.io/features for current information.
The One That Matters Most for This Book
Projects (Claude) = Gems (Gemini) = Custom GPTs (ChatGPT)
If you read one section of this table, read this one. The most powerful technique in this book — building a persistent context for a domain of your life so your AI majordomo already knows your situation — requires this feature. The names differ. The capability is the same. Once you have set up a Project, Gem, or custom GPT for your household, your health situation, or your finances, every subsequent conversation in that space starts with your majordomo already briefed. On ChatGPT’s free tier, build the same thing with Custom Instructions plus Memory instead — creating a new custom GPT requires Plus.
The book’s Chapter 3 explains how to use this. This table tells you what to look for in your tool of choice.