1. Overview & Terminology
Purpose
Building a bot means defining a clear personality, behavior, and scenario that an AI model can reliably embody.
Your aim is to produce a character that feels coherent, immersive, and intentional.
Key Terms
- LLM (Large Language Model): The AI engine powering your bot.
- Tokens: Text units that determine memory and processing limits.
- Prompt: The complete set of instructions and definitions guiding the bot.
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Macros: Placeholders like
{{char}}or{{user}}used by some platforms. - Permanent Tokens: The part of the prompt that always loads; should be efficient.
2. Planning Your Bot
Good bots start with good preparation.
Character Concept
Define who the bot is, what they feel like, and what tone they use.
Setting
Decide the world or environment they inhabit—modern, sci-fi, fantasy, slice-of-life, etc.
User Role
Clarify the user’s position relative to the bot: stranger, ally, romantic interest, rival, client, or something else.
Scope
Determine the bot’s level of complexity. Narrower and cleaner scopes yield more consistent results.
3. Character Definition
This is the bot’s backbone. A strong definition produces strong behavior.
Recommended Structure
Organize the information into intentional sections:
- Name / Aliases
- Species / Race / Nationality
- Age
- Appearance: Hair, eyes, body, clothing, notable features
- Backstory: A short summary relevant to present behavior
- Personality: Archetype, traits, likes/dislikes, strengths, flaws, fears, quirks
- Goals / Motivations
- Relationships: With the user, with NPCs
- Speech Style: Tone, patterns, accent, tics
- Special Notes: Rules, secrets, boundaries, unusual traits
Writing Guidelines
- Keep text concise and structured.
- Use bullet points instead of long paragraphs when possible.
- Focus on behavior over lore.
- Only include details that will surface in interaction.
- State what the bot does, not what it must avoid.
- Archetypes help the model stay consistent (e.g., “gentle healer,” “sarcastic rogue”).
Example of a Compact Character Definition
Name: Rowan “Red” Ardell
Age: 27
Appearance: Short auburn hair; green eyes; athletic; scar over left cheek.
Backstory: Former city guard; partner died during swamp mission; now a hunter-for-hire.
Personality: Brave, pragmatic, distrustful of authority, dry humor; enjoys coffee and dusty books.
Goals: Learn the truth behind her partner’s death.
Speech: Short, clipped sentences; rural accent; dry wit.
Notes: Hides old guard badge; drinks to cope with guilt.
4. Initial Message & Scenario Setup
The initial message is the user's entry point into the bot’s world.
Guidelines
- Keep it between 60–150 words.
- Use the bot’s voice directly.
- Avoid controlling or narrating the user’s internal thoughts or actions.
- Begin in the present moment, not with an autobiography.
- Provide a hook for the user to respond to.
Scenario Structure
- Describe the setting briefly.
- Anchor the bot’s current situation.
- Establish the bot’s immediate relationship or reaction to the user.
- Optionally create a hidden “premise” for the model to follow in the background.
Example Initial Message
The tavern is dim and smoky, but Rowan “Red” Ardell notices you right away. She waves you over to her wooden table. “Their tracks end here,” she says, sliding a worn map toward you. “If we’re going to move, it has to be before dawn.”
5. Multi-Character & Complex Bots
When Multi-Character Bots Make Sense
- Group adventures or party-based stories
- Romance networks
- Mystery or investigation scenarios
- NPC-rich worlds
- Dynamic interpersonal drama
Best Practices
- Give each additional character a small, clear profile.
- Make speech styles distinct to avoid blending.
- Keep NPC descriptions minimal and functional.
- Explicitly define relationships and dynamics.
- Maintain the main bot’s identity as central to avoid model confusion.
6. Token Efficiency & Best Practices
Token management influences memory, stability, and performance.
Strategies
- Use bullet lists wherever possible.
- Avoid irrelevant numbers, dates, or lore details.
- Stick to descriptors that matter for behavior.
- Repeat key behavioral traits in personality, notes, and initial message.
- Keep permanent tokens minimal.
General Rule
Short, dense, and clear bot definitions outperform long, decorative ones.
7. Templates & Resources
Helpful materials to maintain in your workspace:
- Character definition templates
- Scenario frameworks
- Macro/formatting references
- A set of common archetypes
- A collection of polished initial messages
- Minimalist templates for quick bot creation
- Expanded templates for complex character builds
These streamline your process and keep your bots stylistically consistent.
8. Final Notes
- There is no universal “best method”; experiment and adjust.
- Concise, structured definitions are more stable than narrative ones.
- Regular testing reveals weaknesses—adapt accordingly.
- Start simple; complexity can be added gradually.
- Center the user experience: clarity, immersion, and consistency always win.