Users Create ChatGPT Custom Setup to Mimic Gemini’s More Candid Tone

Users Create ChatGPT Custom Setup to Mimic Gemini’s More Candid Tone

A software developer and AI enthusiast, known online as leonardvnhemert, has released an open-source configuration for ChatGPT that aims to replicate the more subdued, candid tone favored by users of Google’s Gemini AI. The setup, published on GitHub under the repository chatgpt-gemini-like-tone, offers a curated set of custom instructions designed to reduce the perceived sycophancy and theatricality often associated with OpenAI’s default responses.

The initiative emerged from a growing sentiment across AI communities that while ChatGPT excels in accuracy and breadth, its conversational style can feel overly polished, deferential, or artificially enthusiastic. In contrast, users of Gemini frequently describe its tone as more direct, dry, and intellectually honest—less inclined to cushion answers with praise or performative empathy. "I kept seeing people say they prefer Gemini’s tone of voice over ChatGPT, especially because it feels less scripted / less 'people pleasing'," the developer noted in the original Reddit post.

The V1 configuration, which the developer explicitly labels as a personal preference rather than a technical standard, modifies ChatGPT’s behavior along three key axes: task alignment, reduced sycophancy, and diminished theatricality. The custom prompt instructs the model to avoid phrases like "I'm so happy to help!" or "That's an excellent question," and instead prioritize concise, context-driven responses. It discourages excessive hedging, unnecessary qualifiers, and emotional embellishment, encouraging the AI to respond with the tone of a knowledgeable colleague rather than an overeager assistant.

Before-and-after screenshots included in the repository illustrate the transformation. In one example, a query about optimizing Python code elicits from standard ChatGPT a response rich with affirmations and exclamation points. The modified version, by contrast, delivers a direct, step-by-step analysis with minimal embellishment—similar to how Gemini might respond. The developer emphasizes that the goal is not to clone Gemini, but to offer users a tool to tailor ChatGPT’s personality to their preferences.

The release has generated significant traction on Reddit’s r/OpenAI and r/LocalLLaMA communities, with users testing the prompt across various use cases—from technical troubleshooting to philosophical inquiry. Early feedback highlights both praise and critique: some users appreciate the newfound efficiency and lack of fluff, while others note the model occasionally crosses into bluntness or appears overly detached. "It still feels too rigid in some contexts," one tester commented. "I’d like it to be candid, not cold."

Industry analysts suggest this development reflects a broader trend in AI interaction design: users are no longer satisfied with generic, one-size-fits-all personas. As large language models become more ubiquitous, demand is rising for customizable voices—models that adapt not just to content, but to emotional and stylistic expectations. This trend is further evidenced by the proliferation of AI personality packs, role-playing prompts, and enterprise-grade tone controls offered by platforms like Anthropic and Cohere.

While OpenAI has introduced limited custom instruction features in ChatGPT Plus, they remain rudimentary compared to the granular control offered by community-driven solutions like this one. The GitHub repository, now forked over 1,200 times, may signal the beginning of a new ecosystem where users, rather than corporations, define the character of AI assistants.

As AI continues to permeate daily workflows, the question is no longer just what models can do—but how they should sound. This project doesn’t just tweak a prompt; it challenges the assumption that AI must always be warm, agreeable, and polished. Sometimes, users don’t want a helper. They want a thinker.