> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://opinionai.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Characters

> Upload image-based AI personas (2D avatars) for your agents

# Characters

**Characters** are image-based AI personas – a single picture used as a 2D avatar in chat. They are the lightweight counterpart to the full 3D [Avatars](/avatars/available-avatars), perfect when you want a recognizable face without the rendering cost of a real-time 3D rig.

Open from `Side nav → Customization → Characters` (or `/avatars/characters`).

<Frame caption="Characters page with the existing roster and the Upload Image button (top-right)">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/opinionai/tR4nAAll3jemMkvA/images/characters-page.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=tR4nAAll3jemMkvA&q=85&s=b133cbd11179fb8eaba8671b24a1dd9e" alt="Characters page" width="4112" height="2658" data-path="images/characters-page.png" />
</Frame>

## What you see

* A paginated grid of every character your account has access to.
* A **search** field to filter by character name.
* An **Upload Image** button (top right) that starts the create flow.
* Per-card actions: a pencil **Edit** icon and a trash **Delete** icon.

## Upload a new character

<Steps>
  <Step title="Click Upload Image">
    Press **Upload Image** in the top-right of the Characters page. A file picker opens.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose a square-friendly photo">
    Pick a clear, well-lit image. Any common format works (JPG, PNG, WebP). Headshots or shoulder-up portraits give the best result because the chat surface displays a near-square crop.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Crop the face">
    The **Crop** modal opens immediately after the upload. Pick an aspect ratio (1:1, 3:4, 4:5 or Custom), drag the handles to frame the head and face, then confirm.

    <Frame caption="Crop Character Image – set the name and aspect ratio at the top of the modal">
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/opinionai/tR4nAAll3jemMkvA/images/character-crop-modal.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=tR4nAAll3jemMkvA&q=85&s=726c765e4f663f5c71674b22e424d911" alt="Crop character image modal" width="4112" height="2658" data-path="images/character-crop-modal.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Name your character">
    Give the character a short, recognizable name. This is what shows up in the agent / character picker inside the chat composer.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save">
    The new character appears in the grid and becomes selectable everywhere a character can be picked – including the **New chat** composer and the [Avatar chat](/interaction-hub/voice) Preferences modal.

    <Frame caption="The grid after a new character (Sia) was uploaded">
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/opinionai/tR4nAAll3jemMkvA/images/characters-after-upload.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=tR4nAAll3jemMkvA&q=85&s=91c514b4cc3daf21699d707481d89dd4" alt="Characters after upload" width="4112" height="2658" data-path="images/characters-after-upload.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Frame caption="The Character picker that opens from the composer pill">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/opinionai/tR4nAAll3jemMkvA/images/character-picker-modal.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=tR4nAAll3jemMkvA&q=85&s=ea4d9785fcf917b041291229b0acb5b5" alt="Character picker modal" width="4112" height="2658" data-path="images/character-picker-modal.png" />
</Frame>

## Manage existing characters

Each card supports two actions:

* **Edit** (pencil icon) – rename the character, update the **Agent Prompt** (how the character should behave), update the **Agent Idle Prompt** (how the character should look when idle), or re-crop the original image.
* **Delete** (trash icon) – permanently removes the character.

<Frame caption="Edit Character modal with Name, Agent Prompt, and Agent Idle Prompt">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/opinionai/tR4nAAll3jemMkvA/images/character-edit-modal.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=tR4nAAll3jemMkvA&q=85&s=4252b03b5e9f6c88e859213fbfcaba71" alt="Edit character modal" width="4112" height="2658" data-path="images/character-edit-modal.png" />
</Frame>

<Warning>
  Characters that are referenced by a published **Shared** agent cannot be deleted while the share is live. The API returns an explanation toast. Unpublish the shared agent first, then retry the delete.
</Warning>

## When to use a character vs a 3D avatar

| Use a Character when…                                                        | Use a 3D Avatar when…                                                       |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| You want a brand-true headshot, illustrated mascot, or stylized portrait.    | You want a fully animated companion that lip-syncs and reacts in real time. |
| You're embedding the agent in a small surface (chat bubble, sidebar widget). | You're delivering an immersive Avatar chat experience.                      |
| You need to launch in minutes without rigging or modeling.                   | You're presenting, hosting events, or want strong scene presence.           |

You can switch the active persona at any time from the composer pills in the Playground – swapping a character or avatar does not interrupt the conversation.

## Related guides

* [Avatars overview](/avatars/overview)
* [Create a 3D avatar](/avatars/create-avatar)
* [Voices and voice cloning](/avatars/voices)
* [Avatar chat in the Hub](/interaction-hub/voice)