How to start with Silly Tavern: connection, persona, character

Part 2 of “Using Silly Tavern.” A common community split: model first, who you are, who they are.

Step 1: Connection

Goal: ST can send prompts and receive text.

Do:

1. Open API / connection / backend settings (names vary by version).
2. Enter your endpoint URL and API key (cloud), or your local server URL (self-hosted).
3. Save, then run the shortest test message the UI offers (if any).

If it fails, don’t touch the card yet—re-check How to connect an API.

Step 2: Persona (who you are)

Goal: define —display name, voice, a line or two of background.

Do:

1. Find user persona / profile.
2. Set a display name (matches on cards).
3. Optionally add a tiny story hook—keep it short until it works end-to-end.

Persona is your ID card; the character card is the other actor’s script.

Step 3: Character (who they are)

Goal: pick a character so ST can assemble prompts from the card.

Do:

1. Import or create a character (PNG/JSON depending on your workflow).
2. Select it and start a new chat—check the greeting matches first_mes.
3. To edit fields, use ST—or edit embedded JSON on disk; see Silly Tavern character card fields.

See also

• Download & what ST is
• Story / text adventure presets

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Series: Using Silly Tavern · index

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