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Character AI OOC Guide

Let’s talk about Character AI and how to use OOC commands for a more immersive AI roleplay experience.
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uPDATED ON: October 25, 2024

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  • Easy Fixes: You can use OOC commands to quickly fix mistakes or change details in your roleplay, keeping the story smooth and enjoyable.

  • Make It Real: Add real-life touches to your roleplay with OOC commands to describe settings and emotions more vividly, making everything feel more real.

  • Change It Up: OOC lets you try out different story paths or change character traits on the fly, keeping the roleplay fresh and exciting.

  • 70% Off With Link!
Character AI OOC Guide

The Quick Answer:

To use Out of Character (OOC) commands in AI roleplay, simply type “OOC:” followed by your specific instructions. These commands let you guide the story, fix mistakes, or add details without being part of the actual roleplay conversation. This helps keep your character’s story on track and ensures that the AI understands exactly what you need.
  • This Character AI OOC guide is created by @Parker_Writes, a skilled prompt engineer with a lot of experience. It was initially designed as an OOC guide for GirlfriendGPT but we optimized it for Character AI to target a larger pool of AI roleplay fanatics. You can read the original OOC tutorial here. If you want to check out some his work then click on his name and peak at some of the epic characters he created. Special thanks for allowing me to use this OOC tutorial. ❤️

Role-playing on Character AI is more fun then trying to teach a cat to high-five. Literally. I can spend hours and hours going into an EPIC fantasy realm where I am the protagonist in my own mini series.

The only problem?

Sometimes a bot gets twitchy. Or you’d like to tweak something about the character, the scenario, how the words are being posted, or whatnot.

Imagine you have a control panel you could call up at any time during the roleplay, where you can adjust pretty much anything.
ParkerWrites
Character Creator, Writer

You can use this power to make your role play better, whatever “better” means to you.

You do have such a thing, of course. – you can talk to the bot “Out of Character” (OOC) and give it direction during your role play scene.

I’m not talking about building the character or anything you’d add to the character sheet – I mean while you’re role playing with the bot going back and forth, you can add OOC direction to modify how things are going.

If you’re scratching your head wondering what OOC means, here’s a quick explanation. 👇🏼

What is OOC?

OOC, or “Out of Character,” is used in roleplay when you need to step out of your character’s role to discuss or clarify details about the game. In AI roleplay, mentioning OOC is helpful for signaling that you’re making a comment or asking a question as yourself, not as your character. This can prevent confusion and helps keep the storyline clear.

So What Can I Do With OOC?

With OOC You can “fix” things you feel are “broken,” get more information, add characters, rooms, elements to the scenario, steer bots in new directions, and much more.

– Parker Writes

Sometimes you do this to make things more in line with what you feel the bot was created for, but sometimes you do it to experiment, nudge the bot in a new direction, or to explore “what if?” Of course, you can do this to some extent just in the roleplay.

If you’re playing through a scene in your apartment and want a bottle opener, no need to tell the AI through an OOC direction that there’s a bottle opener; just open a nearby drawer and grab one.

OOC directions are like whispering directly to the AI generating the bot, or giving it a sort of ‘slap’ to make it focus on the thing you’re saying.

You can drop an OOC direction into a roleplay and the bot will take your direction. Often this clears up a problem or moves in the new direction right away, but sometimes you need to do this more than once.

Also Read >> How Do I Roleplay on Character AI? 🎭

If you’re using OOC to extend or correct, your directions have a better chance of “going through” than if you’re nudging the bot to move in a direction that’s counter to how it was coded.

How to Use OOC on Character AI

Before I dive into the list with different types of OOC commands you can use on Beta Character AI, it’s good to know what all the abbreviations mean or you’ll complain it looks like Chinese.

  • OOC = Out Of Character
  • <user> = You, the person behind the screen
  • {{user}} = Your character in the roleplay
  • {{char}} = The AI’s character in the roleplay

You need to use tags to create your prompt/command.

  • (…) = for OOC
  • “…” = for things you are saying
  • *…* = for actions

So a message might look like this;

(OOC: Don’t forget you have a pistol on your hip you can use “Look out!” *I yell to you, seeing the pirate come from around the corner behind you*)

(Source)

21+ Examples In This Character AI OOC Guide

Here are 21 of my favorite OOC commands that can greatly enhance your RP experience.

OOC Command 1: Reminding and correcting

(OOC: DO NOT write for the user, only write for {{char}} and NPCs.)

When to Use: Use this command when you want the AI to only control its own characters, not yours. It’s helpful when the AI starts making decisions or actions for your character without your input.

OOC Command 2: Make an adjustment

(OOC: rewrite, but with this one thing in mind…)

or

(OOC: stop having {{char}} say we’re on an ‘adventure of discovery,’ the repetition is not good.)

or

(OOC: please give shorter replies; max one paragraph per reply)

When to Use: When the AI’s responses need tweaking—like it’s too repetitive or too lengthy.

OOC Command 3: Change the language of the convo

(OOC: please repost and continue in English)

When to Use: When you want to switch the conversation to English to make sure everyone understands.

OOC Command 4: Get more detail

(OOC: what does Mary look like? Describe her outfit in detail. How is she wearing her hair? Makeup, jewelry?…)

When to Use: When you want a clearer picture of a character or scene.

OOC Command 5: Adding character detail – yours, or someone in the scene

(OOC: Let’s say Ayano has a platinum blonde undercut)

When to Use: To update or add new details to a character’s look.

OOC Command 6: Time skips

(OOC: now it’s next Thursday…)

or

(OOC: skip to where a character approaches me in the forest…)

When to Use: When you want to fast-forward the story or move to a specific moment without playing out all the events in between.

OOC Command 7: Adjusting the pace or the focus

(OOC: let’s move this along)

or

(OOC: let’s skip to where a character approaches me in the forest.)

When to Use: To speed up a slow-moving plot or to dive deeper into a character trait or storyline.

OOC Command 8: Adding, specifying, or changing details about the environment

(OOC: the goblin is big, green and strong but looks fearful in his eyes.)

When to Use: To add more detail to a setting or change aspects of the environment to better fit the scene.

OOC Command 9: Setting or clarifying how characters or things are positioned

(OOC: remember, the Goblin is far in the distance)

or

(OOC: The goblin is facing the mountain top, rear end towards me. It is not able to look me in the eyes)

When to Use: To correct or specify a character’s position in a scene for accuracy and consistency.

OOC Command 10: Getting clarity on wording or intent

(OOC: tell me what Malora means by ‘I’m fine’)

When to Use: When a character’s response is ambiguous and you need more information about their emotional or mental state.

OOC Command 11: Establishing boundaries

(OOC: Cindy will NEVER discuss school , and will NEVER do homework)

When to Use: To set firm limits on what a character will or will not do, say, or participate in within the story.

OOC Command 12: Character development

(OOC: Chadwick seems to have become more empathetic – let’s explore that more in the roleplay.)

When to Use: To develop a character trait further as part of their growth or story arc.

OOC Command 13: Establish history

(OOC: AI, Jane and I have spent a week together. We have grown close, and are lovers. We have gone on vacation together to the Bahamas. Narrate starting from this point.)

When to Use: When you want to skip ahead and start from a point where your character and another are already close.

OOC Command 14: Introducing another NPC

(OOC: let’s say her roommate (a fiery French grad student with dark hair) comes home right then, but doesn’t notice us in the living room.)

When to Use: To bring in a new character suddenly to make things more exciting.

OOC Command 15: Enhancing sensory details

(OOC: Describe the current scene with an emphasis on sensory details—what can {{char}} see, hear, smell, and feel?)

When to Use: Use this command when you want to make the scene more vivid and immersive by adding sensory details.

OOC Command 16: Direct character growth

(OOC: Over the next few interactions, develop {{char}}’s leadership qualities as they face our current crisis.)

When to Use: Use this when you want your character to start showing more leadership and initiative, especially if there’s a big problem they need to handle.

OOC Command 17: Adjust character dynamics

(OOC: Change the dynamic between Missy and Sonoe from antagonistic to a reluctant alliance for this scene. Going forward, show their traits playing off each other to reveal facets of their personality.)

When to Use: When you want characters who usually don’t get along to start working together, showing how they both change.

OOC Command 18: Customize environment on the fly

(OOC: Transform the current setting from the forest to a busy city. Describe how the environment changes around {{char}}, and describe {{char}} in the environment in a congruent manner.)

When to Use: When you want to suddenly change where the story is happening to make it more exciting or fit a new plot idea.

OOC Command 19: Exploring alternatives

(OOC: Let’s start again from when it all started in the forest, but this time the Goblin instantly charges to attack.)

When to Use: To explore different scenarios or outcomes in your story, adding depth or unexpected twists.

OOC Command 20: Instant problem solving

(OOC: Resolve the misunderstanding between {{char}} and their friend immediately, then proceed with their planned activity.)

When to Use: When a misunderstanding is derailing the story, and you want to clear it up quickly to move on.

OOC Command 21: The next chapter – summing up the last long story and starting a new one

(OOC: Let’s advance this story a bit: Kelly has left Jake, she and I are now an item; we’re intimate, she’s living with us but now sleeping in my room, and Jake is still my roommate but acting awkward. He gets off a bit on seeing Kelly and I together.)

When to Use: To summarize past events quickly and start a new chapter in the story.

10 bonus OOC Prompts for Character AI Inspiration

Do you have a character you really like, a storyline you’d love to explore even more, or maybe you just resonate a lot with a certain roleplay and want to really go deep with it???

LLMs are perfect for this, and you can use OOC to great effect this way.

Want to know about the moment Susie decided she was going to love you forever? How about learning about the first time Susie decided she was in love forever, and what ever happened to that meddler Amanda?

Just because the bot creator didn’t put any of this into the charsheet doesn’t mean you can’t explore it, can’t play in those scenes.

💡 If you’d like even more ideas on how you can explore a character’s depth, use an OOC message to ask for ideas.

After all, you’re talking to an LLM, right? This is what an LLM is good at.

You can ask the AI powering the character in question for specific ideas, or you can ask ChatGPT, Claude, or your favorite model for general ideas about how to take your interactions with characters to another level.

Bonus 1: Tell a story, set a scene, learn more, show me a “cutscene”

(OOC: write a scene where Sally and Saida first kiss; include what they’re both wearing, thoughts, feelings, and if they tell their boyfriends…)

What This Does: Lets you create a detailed moment where something important happens between characters, like their first kiss.

Bonus 2: Retrospection and reflection

(OOC: Can we have a flashback to when Jamie first realized their purpose? Describe the setting, the emotions, and any key characters involved. Give insight into Jamie’s current personality traits.)

What This Does: Takes you back to a past moment that explains why a character behaves a certain way now, like why they’re afraid of the dark.

Bonus 3: Behind-the-scenes planning

(OOC: Describe the scene where Malora was getting ready to head over to {{user}}’s place; make it derailed and include all prep, conversation with Mike, what she wore, how she made herself up, how she felt going out the door, and what she thought Mike was thinking.)

What This Does: Shows what a character does before a big event, like getting ready for a date, and what they think during those moments.

Bonus 4: Explore theoretical situations

(OOC: What if {{char}} had chosen a different path five years ago, where she and {{user}} had a baby? Play out a scenario briefly.)

What This Does: Imagines different outcomes, like what would happen if a character had made a different major choice in the past.

Bonus 5: A journal or diary entry

(OOC: Write a diary entry from {{char}}’s perspective about the events of today. Include her feelings, thoughts, snippets of dialog she remembers, and include how she feels about {{user}}.)

Or

(OOC: Show a diary entry Donna wrote about this last conversation with Audrey; include speculations and musings.)

What This Does: Writes a diary entry from a character’s point of view to share what they feel and think about recent events.

Bonus 6: Message not shown in the scene

(OOC: Compose a letter that {{char}} writes to a distant friend, discussing their current challenges and aspirations.)

Or

(OOC: Suppose later tonight {{char}} posts on TikTok about what just happened between her and {{user}}. Describe the well-done post in detail, including any imagery, dialog, or use of other scenes, memes, or music.)

What This Does: Creates messages or posts a character might make away from the main story, like a letter to a friend or a social media update.

Bonus 7: Dream sequence

(OOC: Describe a dream that {{char}} has, which reflects their deepest fears or desires.)

What This Does: Describes a dream to show what a character secretly wants or fears, adding a mysterious layer to their personality.

Bonus 8: Historical context

(OOC: Provide a flashback scene that shows an important moment in {{char}}’s past that shapes their current behavior; be very detailed.)

What This Does: Revisits a key past event that has a big impact on who a character is today, like an old victory or trauma.

Bonus 9: Parallel universe scenarios

(OOC: What if {{char}} had made a different major life choice? Play out a brief scenario in this parallel universe.)

What This Does: Plays out what might have happened if things went differently at a major turning point in the story.

Bonus 10: Alternative perspective for a scene

(OOC: Show the scene from earlier in the news van, but from Alison’s viewpoint. Include her feelings, thoughts, concerns, and musings.)

What This Does: Retells a part of the story from another character’s perspective to show more sides of the story.

My Final Words About using OOC on Character AI

Knowing how to use OOC can really up your AI role-play experience.

There have been countless of times where I wanted to change something about my character and didn’t knew how to do it. Using Out of Character commands really is a game changer.

Although these OOC commands are meant for roleplaying on Character AI, you can use them for other AI platforms like GirlfriendGPT, an adult AI roleplay app (and great 18+ character AI alternative) that is gaining a lot of popularity lately.

💡If you want to learn more about this, check out my GirlfriendGPT tutorial, review or guide on creation characters.

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