> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.equos.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Introduction

> This is the right place to start. On this page, you will learn about **characters** and the key concepts of running interactive AI experiences with Equos.

<Card title="Already familiar? Start here" icon="rocket" href="/quickstart/setup" horizontal>
  Create an account and chat with your first character on Equos.
</Card>

## Jump right in

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Card icon="robot" title="Equos Studio" href="https://studio.equos.ai">Chat with your custom character.</Card>
  <Card icon="github" title="App examples" href="https://github.com/EquosAI/equos-examples">Checkout our app samples.</Card>
  <Card icon="node" title="NodeJS SDK" href="/sdks/nodejs">Build with Equos & NodeJS</Card>
  <Card icon="slack" title="Ask the community" href="https://join.slack.com/t/equosaicommunity/shared_invite/zt-3d8oy19au-jZpsJB0i~gdL0jbDswdzzQ">Any questions? Reach out on Slack</Card>
</Columns>

## Characters

A **character** is a complete interactive AI persona you build on Equos.
It has a visual identity, a voice, a personality, and the knowledge and abilities it needs to hold meaningful conversations.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/equos/RV3tbha5YUecIT-t/images/app.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=RV3tbha5YUecIT-t&q=85&s=431d28cb0f1111314f291f3bfab47311" alt="Setting up a character in the Equos Studio" width="3024" height="1614" data-path="images/app.png" />
</Frame>

Every character is assembled from six building blocks:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card icon="face-smile" title="Face">
    The visual identity of your character. A single image—photo, painting, illustration, or AI-generated—is enough to bring it to life with accurate lip-sync and expression.
  </Card>

  <Card icon="waveform" title="Voice">
    How your character sounds. Pick from a catalog of voices or bring your own via supported TTS providers.
  </Card>

  <Card icon="brain" title="Brain (Prompt)">
    The personality and behavior. Define tone, identity, role, and scope through instructions—your character can be a coach, a tutor, a support rep, or any persona you imagine.
  </Card>

  <Card icon="book" title="Knowledge">
    A knowledge base the character can draw from (RAG). Upload documents so it can answer questions grounded in your own content.
  </Card>

  <Card icon="screwdriver-wrench" title="Tools">
    Actions the character can take—calling APIs, looking up data, triggering workflows—so it can do things, not just talk.
  </Card>

  <Card icon="message" title="First Message">
    The opening line your character speaks when a conversation starts. Sets the tone and guides the user into the experience.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

Want inspiration? Read how companies are using Equos to build [creative, experiential live AI applications](https://www.equos.ai/blog/the-next-frontier-creative-experiential-live-ai-avatar-applications).

<Card title="Try it now" icon="sparkles" href="/quickstart/setup">
  Talk to your first AI-powered character in minutes.
</Card>
