ok hi, let's get you chatting ♡

1 · make your free account

Sign up with your email and verify it. That gives you a private library, likes, chats, imports, and a place for every questionable fictional decision you are about to make.

2 · bring a key, keep control of the bill

Open Me → My AI providers and add an OpenRouter, Nano-GPT, or DeepSeek API key. CardChan encrypts the key, never displays the saved key back to anyone, and lets you delete it whenever.

CardChan does not charge you to chat with your own key. Your provider may charge for the model calls you make, so check its pricing before you pick something expensive and dramatic.

Do not paste a key into a profile, card, chat, message, or support request. The password-style box on My AI Provider is the only place it belongs.

open My AI Provider

3 · pick a text model

After the key verifies, add at least one Text model. The model table shows provider, type, free status, recommendation, context size, and release date. If you are brand new, start with a recommended text model; you can change the lineup later.

Vision models are for reading pictures. Image models are for painting pictures. Neither one replaces the text model that writes chat replies. DeepSeek's v4 models are text-only here, so pictures need a provider and model that support them.

4 · find somebody irresistible

Browse Characters, flip on “just my type,” or use swipe mode until somebody makes you stop scrolling. Open their card and hit start a chat.

Want CardChan to learn your taste first? Set Me → My type. Bringing an old library along? Upload takes CharacterHub and BotBooru links plus batches of character-card files. When you want a copy of your CardChan stash, Export packs it into a zip.

5 · tell the scene who you are

Before the first message, give your in-story self a name and whatever appearance, relationship, or secret context the character should know. Leave anything blank if it does not matter. CardChan's house prompt is the easy default.

Hit start chatting. Their opening message appears, you answer, and your chosen text model handles the next reply. That is the whole ritual. Tiny candles optional. ✦

once you're comfy

• ✦ Add more characters to the room.
• ✦ Invite up to three other CardChan creators into a private group chat.
• ✦ Bring an image-capable key to paint scenes inside the conversation.
• ✦ Remix a card into your type without changing the original.
• ✦ Export your library and one-on-one chats whenever you want a backup.

Spicy cards stay off by default. If you are 21 or older and want them, opt in under settings; the NSFW help page explains the boundaries plainly.

stuck?

If the key will not verify, test it on My AI Provider and confirm it belongs to the provider you selected. If a model disappeared, choose another model from that provider. If CardChan itself is wobbling, check the status banner and try again in a moment.

Still stuck? Message Zumi or email [email protected]. Never include your API key.