> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://wiki.secrets.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://wiki.secrets.ai/get-started/chat-features.md).

# Chat Features

Master all the chat features in Secrets AI to have the best conversations with your AI companions.

Chat feels best when you use the right mode, steer replies clearly, and edit when needed.

### Chat basics

* Send normal text messages
* Use `*action*` for roleplay
* Your companion matches your language automatically
* Companions remember recent context and adapt to your tone
* Important details can be saved to memory automatically
* On desktop, you can **pop out** the chat into its own separate window using the pop-out button in the chat toolbar, next to the audio call button

<figure><img src="https://3286776735-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F9ACKOAU4nFWSXPeE2B4s%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-92696d1d4db0dfa24c24e61aff48e960a15953ec%2Fchat-pop-out-button.png?alt=media" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Want multiple companions in one thread? See [Group Chats](/get-started/group-chats.md).

<figure><img src="https://3286776735-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F9ACKOAU4nFWSXPeE2B4s%2Fuploads%2Fd2HWlkFRTux2D0q9cnVf%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=09c58437-fc5d-4352-a9aa-e41d83eb39e4" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Content modes

Choose the mode in the chat header to change how your companion generates subsequent replies:

* **S3** and **X-3 (Beta)** are available on every plan.
* **S5** is available on **Premium** and **Ultimate**.
* **S4** requires **Ultimate**.

**S3.5 is now named S3**; it is the same model, and existing conversations keep their history. Selecting a mode saves it for the current chat. To choose a default for future conversations, use **User Settings → Companion Preferences → Default Content Mode**.

See [Chat Modes & Thinking Levels](/get-started/chat-modes-and-thinking-levels.md) for the mode comparison, screenshots, and setup steps.

### Thinking level

In **S3**, **S4**, and **S5**, open the chat's **gear icon → settings → Thinking level** to choose **Off**, **Low**, **High**, or **Max**. Select **Save** in the settings panel, or **Save Changes** in the dialog. Higher levels take longer to respond; **Max requires Ultimate**. X-3 has no adjustable thinking level.

High is the default for new accounts. Existing saved preferences stay in place, and new chats inherit **User Settings → Companion Preferences → Default thinking level**. Changing that default leaves existing conversations unchanged.

Thinking level controls thinking before a reply. Use **SMS / Paragraph** below to choose reply format. See [Choosing a thinking level](/get-started/chat-modes-and-thinking-levels.md#choose-a-thinking-level), including what Off means in each mode.

### Chat time

Choose **Live time** (the default), **No time**, or **Fixed time** to control the automatic clock information your companion receives. Fixed time has separate date and hour/minute fields and stays unchanged until you edit it.

Set the default under **User Settings → Companion Preferences → Default chat time**; selecting a tile saves automatically. For one conversation, open **Chat Settings → Chat time**, choose a mode, and select **Save** or **Save Changes**. The account default applies only to new chats. Existing chats keep their own time setting until you change it there.

Switching to No time or Fixed time also removes automatic timestamps from older messages sent to the companion for subsequent replies. Your stored history and visible date/time dividers remain. See [Chat Time](/get-started/chat-time.md) for fixed-clock starting values and what happens when you change modes.

### Message delivery status

The status beneath your latest message helps you see what is happening:

| Status        | Meaning                                                                       |
| ------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Sending…**  | Your message is still being sent.                                             |
| **Delivered** | Secrets has received the message; the reply may still be on its way.          |
| **Read**      | Your AI companion has started working on the reply, or the reply has arrived. |

These are chat progress indicators. **Delivered** does not mean the reply is finished. A higher thinking level can mean more time waiting after delivery.

### Let your companion message first

On **ULTIMATE**, companions may send [Proactive Messages](/get-started/proactive-messaging.md) while you're away if you're eligible for email notifications or have push notifications enabled on at least one device.

For one conversation, open the **gear icon → Chat Settings**, toggle **Proactive messages**, and select **Save Changes**. The switch appears in one-to-one chats for email- or push-eligible accounts while **User Settings → Companion Preferences → Proactive messages** is on. Turning off that global switch stops proactive messages in every chat.

See [Managing proactive messages](/get-started/proactive-messaging.md#managing-proactive-messages) for screenshots of both controls.

### Choose reply length

| Option             | How it feels             | Best for                        |
| ------------------ | ------------------------ | ------------------------------- |
| **SMS mode**       | Several shorter messages | A more natural texting feel     |
| **Paragraph mode** | One longer message       | Fuller replies with more detail |

* **Current chat:** Open **Chat Settings**
* **Future chats:** Set your default in **User Settings**

{% hint style="info" %}
If you switch an existing chat from **SMS** to **Paragraph**, the AI may still follow the earlier short-message pattern.

Send this once to fully switch it over:

`(OOC: Please review your response instructions as they have changed - please remember to generate detailed paragraphs of natural responses rather than short texts.)`
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="https://3286776735-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F9ACKOAU4nFWSXPeE2B4s%2Fuploads%2FSTu0R1b1iDes79pY4ALt%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=9d23c4d7-51c2-4dc8-a94f-3b6b52349454" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Edit and steer the conversation

You can edit any message you sent to generate a new reply.

Edits work like [Time Travel](/get-started/time-travel.md). Everything after that message is removed.

If you want to keep the old branch, start a new chat first.

To steer roleplay without breaking immersion, use [OOC Commands](/get-started/ooc-commands.md).

For roleplay:

* Use `*action*` for actions
* Set the scene clearly
* Be specific about what you want next

<figure><img src="https://3286776735-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F9ACKOAU4nFWSXPeE2B4s%2Fuploads%2F4NyisCkaHOE5vWASVe8a%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=7583cb37-37e7-4472-a19b-5ba4cceab26d" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Set your Spice Level

Spice Level controls how bold or intimate your conversations feel. It replaces the old Core/Edge content mode system.

| Level      | Icon | Feels like           | Best for                                          |
| ---------- | ---- | -------------------- | ------------------------------------------------- |
| **Mild**   | ☕    | Wholesome & friendly | Everyday chat, emotional support, casual hangouts |
| **Medium** | ❤️   | Romantic & emotional | Deeper connections, light romance (formerly Core) |
| **Spicy**  | 🔥   | Open & uninhibited   | No holds barred conversations (formerly Edge)     |

**Where to change it:**

* **Default for new chats:** Settings → Companion Preferences → Default Spice Level
* **Per chat:** Change the spice level when creating or editing a chat by selecting it in the Mode Selector or in the chat settings

Spice Level also applies to [Audio Calls](/create/audio-calls.md), so your companion keeps the same tone on the phone as in text.

<figure><img src="https://3286776735-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F9ACKOAU4nFWSXPeE2B4s%2Fuploads%2FmEdarJipfsVqIzBJxOAy%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=ad96b94a-d125-4d2f-a214-bf1610120939" alt="" width="296"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
If you change the spice level on an existing chat, it may take a few messages for the conversation to fully transition to the new tone. The companion adjusts gradually based on the conversation's history.
{% endhint %}

### Chat background photos

Set a custom background photo for any chat to personalize the look and feel of your conversations.

**How to set a background:**

1. Open **Chat Settings** for any chat
2. Select **Background Photo**
3. Choose a generated image to use as your background

{% hint style="info" %}
**Recommended sizes:**

* **Mobile:** Use a **portrait** image for the best fit
* **Desktop:** Use a **landscape** image — try generating one in Advanced mode
  {% endhint %}

### Limits and language

| Item               | Details                                                      |
| ------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **What counts**    | Only **your** messages count toward limits                   |
| **Reset**          | Limits reset 24 hours after your first message               |
| **Rollover**       | Unused messages do not roll over                             |
| **Upgrade timing** | Higher limits apply immediately                              |
| **Max length**     | **Ultimate** supports up to **2,000 characters** per message |
| **Languages**      | All major languages are supported automatically              |

{% hint style="info" %}
[Time Travel](/get-started/time-travel.md) requires **PREMIUM** or **ULTIMATE**.
{% endhint %}

### Text-to-Speech

Click the speaker button on a message to hear it out loud.

In group chats, each companion uses their own voice.

{% hint style="info" %}
TTS costs **10 moments per 100 characters**.
{% endhint %}

| Characters | Cost       |
| ---------- | ---------- |
| 50         | 10 moments |
| 150        | 20 moments |
| 500        | 50 moments |

Notes:

* Messages must be at least **20 characters**
* Cost uses the final enhanced text
* Audio tags like `[laughing]` count if the AI adds them

<figure><img src="https://3286776735-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F9ACKOAU4nFWSXPeE2B4s%2Fuploads%2F7zlvsU8UoIVTIskVW8WE%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=2953b8a8-35e5-4a19-b4c3-14f0e5f76a03" alt="" width="375"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Safety checks

Messages and replies pass through automated safety checks. When a check stops something, you'll see a short notice that says what happened and what to change:

* **Message not sent.** Your message couldn't be sent, or your companion's reply couldn't be completed, because it didn't pass a safety check. The notice names what was flagged. Revise the message or start a new scene and try again. In group chats, only the affected companion's reply is stopped; the others still respond.
* **Chat paused for review.** The whole conversation has been paused by a safety check. You can still read the chat, but you can't send new messages. The screen shows the reason when known, such as content involving minors, self-harm, or violent or threatening content.

If you believe a paused chat was flagged incorrectly, choose **Contest This Decision** on the paused-chat screen and describe what happened. The chat stays paused while the appeal is reviewed. You can see the appeal's status (pending, approved, or denied) on the same screen, and we'll email you the decision, usually within 24–48 hours.

### Quick fixes

**Unwanted response**

* Use [Time Travel](/get-started/time-travel.md)
* Try a different content mode
* Be more specific

**Hit your message limit**

* Wait for reset
* Upgrade your tier

### Quick answers

| Question                                      | Answer                                                                                                                |
| --------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Can I edit sent messages?**                 | Yes.                                                                                                                  |
| **Do companion replies count toward limits?** | No.                                                                                                                   |
| **Can I choose short or long replies?**       | Yes. Use **SMS** or **Paragraph**.                                                                                    |
| **Do companions remember me across chats?**   | Use a Memory Group on the existing memory system. On PREMIUM or ULTIMATE, you can also share a lorebook across chats. |

***

Next steps: Explore [Lorebooks (PREMIUM and ULTIMATE)](/lorebooks/lorebooks.md), [Memory System](/get-started/memory-system.md), [Time Travel](/get-started/time-travel.md), or [Image Generation](/create/image-generation.md).