Character Card V3

Understanding the Character Card V3 format - the standard for portable AI character data.

What is Character Card V3?

Character Card V3 (also called "Chara" format) is the industry-standard format for AI character data. It embeds complete character information inside PNG image files, making characters portable across different platforms.

Key Features

  • Character data embedded in PNG image files
  • Human-readable and machine-parseable
  • Cross-platform compatibility
  • Supports advanced features (lorebooks, extensions, etc.)
  • No vendor lock-in - your characters are truly yours

Why PNG Files?

  • Character avatar and data in single file
  • Easy to share (just send an image)
  • Works everywhere (social media, Discord, forums)
  • Data is invisible to casual viewers
  • Standard format all platforms support

V3 Specification

Character Card V3 extends earlier versions with support for advanced features.

V3 Improvements

  • Lorebooks: Embedded world information
  • Multiple Greetings: Alternative start messages
  • Extensions: Custom data and scripts
  • Regex Scripts: Pattern-based behaviors
  • Group Chats: Multi-character metadata
  • Assets: Additional images and files

V3 vs Earlier Versions

V1: Basic character info only V2: Added scenario, example dialogues V3: Full feature support (lorebooks, extensions, scripts)

Tiny Land uses V3 for all exports but can import V1 and V2 cards (auto-upgraded to V3).

Data Structure

V3 cards contain a JSON structure with all character information.

Core Fields

{ "spec": "chara_card_v3", "spec_version": "3.0", "data": { "name": "Character Name", "description": "Brief description", "personality": "Detailed personality", "scenario": "Setting/context", "first_mes": "First greeting", "mes_example": "Example dialogues", "creator_notes": "Notes from creator", "system_prompt": "Custom system prompt", "post_history_instructions": "Post-history rules", "alternate_greetings": ["Alt 1", "Alt 2"], "tags": ["tag1", "tag2"], "creator": "Creator name", "character_version": "1.0" } }

Advanced Fields

"character_book": { "entries": [ { "keys": ["trigger", "keywords"], "content": "Lorebook entry content", "priority": 10, "enabled": true } ] }, "extensions": { "regex_scripts": [...], "depth_prompt": {...}, "custom_data": {...} }

Exporting Characters

How to Export

  1. Go to your character's profile page
  2. Click ⋮ More button
  3. Select Export as V3 Card
  4. Choose what to include (lorebooks, scripts, etc.)
  5. Download PNG file

Export Options

  • Include Lorebook: Embed lorebook entries
  • Include Scripts: Embed regex scripts and extensions
  • Include Chat History: Export with example conversations (optional)
  • Compress Data: Reduce file size (recommended for large characters)

What Gets Exported

  • Avatar image (visible)
  • All character data (embedded)
  • Multiple greetings
  • Lorebook entries (if selected)
  • Custom scripts (if selected)
  • Tags and metadata
💡 Pro Tip: Exported PNG files work as normal images. You can view them in any image viewer, post them on social media, or use them as avatars - the character data stays embedded.

Importing Characters

How to Import

  1. Go to Create Character
  2. Click Import Character Card
  3. Upload PNG file or drag & drop
  4. Review imported data
  5. Edit if needed
  6. Save character

What Gets Imported

  • Avatar image
  • Name and description
  • Personality and definitions
  • All greetings
  • Lorebook (if present)
  • Scripts and extensions (if present)
  • Tags

Import Sources

  • V3 cards from Tiny Land
  • V3 cards from other platforms
  • V2 cards (auto-upgraded)
  • V1 cards (auto-upgraded)

See full guide: Import & Export Guide

Sharing Characters

Sharing Methods

1. Direct File Sharing

  • Export as V3 card
  • Share PNG file anywhere (Discord, email, cloud storage)
  • Recipients can import directly

2. Public Gallery

  • Make character public on Tiny Land
  • Users can chat or fork your character
  • Always exportable by others

3. Character Links

  • Share Tiny Land profile URL
  • Users can view, chat, and export
  • You maintain control (can make private later)

Licensing & Attribution

  • You own characters you create
  • Others can fork and modify (if public)
  • Original creator credit is embedded
  • Add creator notes to specify usage rights

Technical Details

PNG Metadata (tEXt Chunk)

Character data is stored in the PNG tEXt chunk:

Keyword: chara Text: [base64-encoded JSON data]

Encoding Process

  1. Character data serialized to JSON
  2. JSON encoded to base64
  3. Stored in PNG tEXt chunk with keyword "chara"
  4. PNG remains valid image file

Decoding Process

  1. Read PNG file
  2. Extract tEXt chunk with keyword "chara"
  3. Decode base64 to JSON
  4. Parse and validate JSON structure

File Size Considerations

  • Base image: 100-500 KB (depends on resolution)
  • Character data: 5-50 KB (text data)
  • Lorebooks: +10-100 KB (if large)
  • Total: Usually under 1 MB

Validation & Compatibility

Tiny Land Validation

When importing, Tiny Land checks:

  • Valid PNG file format
  • Contains "chara" tEXt chunk
  • Valid base64 encoding
  • Valid JSON structure
  • Required fields present
  • V3 spec compliance

Cross-Platform Compatibility

V3 cards work with:

  • Tiny Land (full support)
  • SillyTavern (full support)
  • Agnai (full support)
  • Other V3-compatible platforms

Handling Incompatible Features

  • Platform-specific extensions may not transfer
  • Core character data always transfers
  • Lorebooks widely supported
  • Scripts may need platform-specific adaptation

Best Practices

Creating Portable Characters

  • Use standard V3 fields for maximum compatibility
  • Test exports on other platforms
  • Include creator notes with usage instructions
  • Keep lorebooks self-contained
  • Document custom extensions

Organizing Exported Characters

  • Use descriptive file names: "CharacterName_v1.0.png"
  • Keep backups of important characters
  • Version your characters (update character_version field)
  • Maintain changelog in creator notes

Privacy Considerations

  • Don't include personal information in character data
  • Review all fields before sharing publicly
  • Remember: anyone who gets the PNG can read the data
  • Chat history is NOT included (unless explicitly exported)
💡 Fun Fact: You can inspect Character Card data yourself! Use any PNG metadata viewer or base64 decoder to read the "chara" tEXt chunk. It's all human-readable JSON.
Import & Export Guide →Character Creation →