What Are AI Character Cards (v2)? How to Import & Export Them

Published 2026-08-07 · 1219 words

Learn what AI character cards (v2) are, their key fields, and how to import or export them in LLM Playground—no email or payment needed.

LLM Playground — AI character cards (v2) explained

AI character cards let you create or interact with custom AI personalities—whether it’s a medieval queen, a coding assistant, or a fictional friend. The widely supported Character Card v2 format standardizes these personalities, making them easy to share, tweak, or use across platforms. If you’ve ever wanted to bring your favorite AI character into a new app or fine-tune its behavior, understanding v2 cards is the first step. LLM Playground supports this format natively, so you can import, export, or even create your own characters without restrictions—no email or payment required.

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What Is an AI Character Card?

An AI character card is a small file that defines how an AI behaves in a conversation. Think of it as a blueprint for personality: it tells the AI who it is, how it should talk, and what scenarios it’s designed for. These cards are used in chatbots, roleplaying, and even professional tools like coding assistants or language tutors.

Character cards became popular because they let users customize interactions without coding. Instead of manually adjusting settings for every chat, you can load a pre-made card—or create your own—and instantly get a consistent experience. The v2 format, which LLM Playground uses, is one of the most widely adopted standards, meaning cards you make or download can work across many apps and services.

Character Card v2: Key Fields Explained

These fields work together to create a cohesive personality. For instance, Chef Mateo in LLM Playground uses a scenario about a bustling kitchen and example messages that include cooking tips, while Prof. Lin focuses on academic explanations and a formal tone. You can edit any of these fields to tweak how the character behaves—whether you want it to be funnier, more serious, or specialized for a specific task.

Why Use Character Cards?

Character cards solve a common problem in AI chat: consistency. Without a card, an AI’s responses can feel generic or shift unpredictably between conversations. Cards ensure the AI stays in character, whether you’re roleplaying, brainstorming, or using it for work. They’re also portable—you can share a card with friends, download one from a community, or use the same character across different apps.

For creators, cards are a way to distribute their work. LLM Playground’s public gallery includes characters like Ysolde, a fantasy guide, and Orin, a sci-fi companion. Each card is a self-contained file, so you can try them out or modify them to suit your needs. The built-in free model in LLM Playground means you can experiment with these characters without any cost or setup.

How to Import and Export Character Cards in LLM Playground

There’s no limit to how many cards you can import or export, and the process works the same whether you’re using the free built-in model or a connected provider. If you’re new to character cards, try starting with one of the public characters, like Thistle or Mara, and experiment with small edits to see how the fields affect the AI’s behavior.

Free Model vs. Connected Providers: What You Need to Know

The free model is ideal for testing character cards or casual use, while connected providers offer additional features like image generation. Your credentials are encrypted, and LLM Playground doesn’t mark up or resell access—you pay the provider directly. This flexibility means you can start for free and upgrade only if you need more capabilities.

FeatureFree Built-in ModelConnected Provider (e.g., Airforce, Pollinations)
CostUnlimited messages, no payment neededBilled by your provider at their rates
SpeedTwo options: LLMPlayground Fast or standardDepends on provider’s model
Image GenerationNot availableAvailable if your provider supports it
Character CardsFully supportedFully supported

Key facts

FAQ

Do I need an API key to use character cards in LLM Playground?

No. The free built-in model lets you use, create, and edit character cards without any API key or payment. If you want to use a connected provider for features like image generation, you’ll need to add your own key, but it’s optional.

Can I use character cards from other sites in LLM Playground?

Yes, as long as the card is in the v2 format. LLM Playground supports importing and exporting v2 cards, so you can bring characters from other platforms or share your own creations elsewhere.

What’s the difference between a character card and a system prompt?

A system prompt is one field within a character card. The card includes additional context like personality, scenario, and example messages, which help the AI stay in character more reliably than a system prompt alone.

How do I make my own character card?

Start with a template or edit an existing card. Define the character’s description, personality, scenario, and example messages, then save it as a v2 file. LLM Playground lets you test your card immediately with the free built-in model.

Are there any limits on how many character cards I can use?

No. You can import, export, and use as many character cards as you like in LLM Playground, with no restrictions on the free account.