OpenAI Prism Is Shutting Down: Export, Migration, and LaTeX Alternatives
If your manuscript is still in OpenAI Prism, the first priority is to keep a copy of its source files and its last working PDF. OpenAI’s official Prism announcement now says Prism will shut down on January 1, 2027, and asks users to export projects before that date.
This guide draws on the announcement and OpenAI’s Prism to Codex migration guide, checked on November 4, 2026. It explains what to save, how to export, and how to choose a place to continue writing.
What happens to your Prism data?
OpenAI says all Prism-related data will be deleted after shutdown and cannot be recovered once deleted. A final PDF is useful for reading and comparison, but it is not a substitute for the LaTeX source, figures, and bibliography needed to revise a paper.
Exporting the files also does not recreate the entire workspace.
| Material | What to do |
|---|---|
| LaTeX source, figures, and bibliography files | Export and check the files and directory structure |
| Last successful PDF | Download separately as a reference |
| Project history and inline comments | Save important versions and discussions before shutdown |
| Collaborator permissions | Invite collaborators and assign access again |
| Live Zotero connection | Save an up-to-date .bib and configure the connection again |
| Prism conversations | Some all-project exports may contain JSON; keep it as an archive |
How to export your Prism projects
Export all projects or one project
OpenAI gives this route: open the user or workspace menu, then Settings → Data Controls → Export all projects (zip) → Download zip. For an individual project, choose Export (zip) from its project-title menu.
Keep an untouched copy of the downloaded archive. Extract a working copy and check each project for its main .tex, chapters referenced by \input or \include, .bib files, figures, and custom .cls or .sty files. An all-project archive may contain several projects and archival material; identify each project’s source folder before importing into another editor.
Save the PDF and build settings too
For important projects, load the latest successful PDF preview in Prism and use the viewer’s PDF download action. Record the main file, TeX engine, bibliography tool, and special font requirements. Keep any journal or thesis template instructions alongside the files.
Prism alternatives: Codex, online editors, or local LaTeX?
Start with the workflow you want to preserve.
| Route | Good fit | What to arrange |
|---|---|---|
| Codex | AI-assisted inspection, editing, and troubleshooting of local files | Most multi-file projects need a compatible local TeX toolchain; Codex does not reproduce Prism’s shared real-time editor |
| An online LaTeX editor, such as Overleaf or EasyLaTeX | Browser-based writing, hosted compilation, and collaboration | Check ZIP import, templates, engines, storage, and plan limits; recreate sharing |
| A local editor and TeX distribution | Direct control of files, dependencies, and offline work | Install the toolchain and choose backup, sync, and collaboration workflows |
Codex is OpenAI’s documented migration route. It can work across exported files, but the guide does not promise restoration of comments, history, permissions, or the live Zotero link. Those workflows need attention whichever destination you choose.
Continue with an exported project in EasyLaTeX
If you want to keep writing in the browser, the EasyLaTeX workspace provides a LaTeX ZIP import entry. Move one project first and check its output before migrating the rest.
- Prepare a single-project ZIP. Find the manuscript’s complete source folder and preserve relative paths. Separate projects from an all-project export rather than uploading the entire archive as one manuscript.
- Check the imported file tree. Confirm chapters, figures, bibliography, and template files are present. Filename case must match source references.
- Set the main file and compiler. Use pdfLaTeX, XeLaTeX, or LuaLaTeX as required by the original project or template. Interface language does not determine the compiler.
- Compile and read diagnostics. Resolve missing files, packages, fonts, and citations first. Ask the project AI about a specific error instead of requesting an immediate rewrite of the paper.
- Recreate collaboration. Invite coauthors, review edit and view permissions, and reconnect reference tools where needed.
This is a source-file migration, not an import of Prism’s account data, history, or comments. Special templates and custom build requirements still need individual verification. See the EasyLaTeX guide from project creation to PDF export for the writing workflow.
Seven checks before you call the migration finished
A generated PDF is only a starting point. Compare it side by side with the last successful Prism PDF:
- Title, authors, abstract, and section order.
- Figures, tables, captions, and image paths.
- Equations, numbering, and cross-references.
- Bibliography entries and unresolved citations or
?markers. - Fonts, special characters, and missing CJK glyphs.
- Page count, columns, and unexpected page-break changes.
- Collaborator access and permissions.
Use the LaTeX compilation troubleshooting guide if the build fails. For a multi-file manuscript, the large-project organization guide can help identify the correct structure and entry point.
Frequently asked questions
Has Prism already shut down?
As of the verification date above, OpenAI has announced a shutdown on January 1, 2027. Export before the deadline and check official notices for changes.
Is downloading the PDF enough?
Not if you need to revise the paper. Keep its source, figures, bibliography, and template dependencies as well. Use the PDF as a readable backup and visual reference.
Will comments and project history be restored?
OpenAI says they do not move with the project files. Save important discussions and versions separately. Conversation JSON, when included, is reference material rather than an imported chat history.
Do I have to use Codex?
No. Choose Codex, a local TeX setup, or an online editor that can import your project. The important outcome is an editable project that compiles correctly and has its own backup.
Keep the original archive, migrate one project, and verify the output. To continue in a browser-based workspace, open EasyLaTeX and import your LaTeX project.