What it does
SillyTavern is a chat program you install yourself. It connects to many AI text services, both online ones (like OpenAI, Claude and Mistral) and ones you run on your own computer, all from one screen.
It is aimed at people who want a lot of control over how the AI is prompted. It includes a visual-novel style mode, picture generation through other tools, text-to-speech voices, and a layout that works on phones.
Its makers say it offers no hosted service and does not track user data. They describe the learning curve as steep.
Who it's for
AI hobbyists who enjoy character chats and storytelling and like tweaking settings.
Can I use it without coding?
With some setup. Installed by following a guide (it needs Node.js); you then use it in your web browser. New to this? Start here.
Can I run it?
- Cost
- FreeNothing to pay or sign up for.
- Runs on
- Windows, Mac, Linux, Phone
- Computer
- An ordinary computer is fine
- Privacy
- Your choice: run it on your device or use an online service
- API key
- Not needed
Try it
- Open the installation guide for your system on the project's documentation site.
- Install SillyTavern, which needs Node.js, and start it.
- Connect it to an AI service or to a model running on your own computer.
Using Claude Code, Cursor or another AI coding assistant? Paste the prompt and it will walk you through the setup.New to this?
Before you install
- Only download from the official GitHub page. Copies with similar names exist for many popular projects.
- License (AGPL-3.0): Free to use; if you run a changed version as an online service, you must share your source code.
- More on staying safe