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First Steps

This guide walks you through everything you need to go from a fresh install to your first conversation.

Step 1: Create a Connection

A connection tells Lumiverse which AI provider and model to use. You need at least one.

  1. Open the Connection Manager panel (plug icon in the sidebar)
  2. Click New Connection
  3. Fill in:
    • Name — A label for your reference (e.g., "My Claude Sonnet")
    • Provider — Pick your AI provider from the dropdown
    • Model — Select or type the model name
    • API Key — Paste your API key (stored encrypted, never visible again)
  4. Click Save
  5. Set it as the default connection if it's your primary one

Multiple connections

You can create as many connections as you want — different providers, different models, different API keys. Switch between them at any time.

Step 2: Import a Character

Characters are the AI personas you chat with. The fastest way to get started is importing one.

  1. Open the Character Browser panel (people icon in the sidebar)
  2. Click the Import button
  3. Choose one of:
    • File upload — Drag in a .png (character card), .json, or .charx file
    • Import from URL — Paste a link from Chub.ai, JanitorAI, or a direct file URL
  4. The character appears in your browser, ready to chat

You can also create a character from scratch if you prefer.

Step 3: Start a Chat

  1. Click on a character in the Character Browser
  2. Click New Chat (or just click the character card — it opens a chat automatically)
  3. The character's greeting message appears
  4. Type your message in the input area at the bottom and press Enter (or click the send button)

That's it — you're chatting!

Step 4: Create a Persona (Optional)

A persona represents you in the conversation. Without one, the AI only knows your username. A persona adds a description the AI can reference.

  1. Open the Persona panel (user icon in the sidebar)
  2. Click New Persona
  3. Fill in a name and description for your character
  4. Optionally upload an avatar
  5. Set it as your default persona

Your persona's name replaces {{user}} in prompts, and the description is available via {{persona}}.

What to Explore Next

Now that you're chatting, here are features worth exploring:

  • Swipes — Don't like a response? Swipe to generate a new one
  • Presets — Customize how prompts are assembled and what the AI "sees"
  • World Books — Add lore that activates when keywords come up in chat
  • Themes — Change the look and feel of the interface
  • Group Chats — Chat with multiple characters at once