How to import a character card
A character card is a PNG image with the character definition stored inside the file itself. Importing one is a file drop — but a few things reliably go wrong, so here is the whole flow plus the fixes.
Step 1 — get the card file
Download the card as a PNG. Do not right-click and "save image" from a preview thumbnail: thumbnails are usually re-encoded for the web, and re-encoding strips the embedded data. Use the download action the site provides, which hands you the original file.
Step 2 — import it
- In Lingki AI: open the app, go to your character library and add the card file.
- In SillyTavern: use the character import control, or drop the PNG into the characters folder and refresh.
- In other card-compatible clients: look for "import character" and select the PNG.
Step 3 — check what came through
A correctly imported card brings its name, description, personality, scenario, first message and example dialogue. If the name arrived but the greeting is empty, the file was probably re-encoded somewhere along the way and the embedded data was lost.
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Card loads with no persona | PNG was re-encoded or screenshotted | Re-download the original file |
| Import is rejected | File is JPG/WebP, not a card PNG | Get the PNG export |
| Fields are garbled | Card uses a newer spec field | Update the client, or edit the field by hand |
| Character replies out of character | Model or preset, not the card | Check the model and the preset in settings |
Step 4 — pick a model
A card supplies the character, not the intelligence. You still connect a model API key and choose which model answers. If replies feel flat or ignore the persona, change the model or the preset before you blame the card.
Frequently asked questions
What file format is a character card?
A PNG image with the character definition embedded in the file’s metadata, following the V2 or V3 character card spec. JSON exports also exist and work in most clients.
Why did my card import blank?
Almost always because the PNG was re-encoded — saved from a preview, screenshotted or passed through an image compressor. Re-download the original file.
Can I edit a card after importing it?
Yes, if the author allowed derivative edits. Card authors on Lingki choose whether edits and redistribution are permitted.
Do cards work across different apps?
Yes. That is the point of the shared format — the same PNG loads in Lingki AI, SillyTavern and other clients that read V2/V3 cards.