# Guiding a reply

> Write direction for a character or the narrator instead of speaking as yourself.

Source: https://reverie.im/en/docs/chatting/guide-reply
Language: en

Usually what you type is a message from you. **Guide reply** switches the composer so that what you type is *direction* for the next reply instead: you describe what should happen, the model writes it, and your direction never appears in the conversation.

## Switching who you write for \[#switching-who-you-write-for]

The **Guide reply** picker sits in the composer's left group, between **Attach file** and the model button. It offers:

| Option                   | What it means                            |
| ------------------------ | ---------------------------------------- |
| **Myself**               | Send a message as yourself. The default. |
| A character in this chat | Guide that character's next reply.       |
| **Narrator**             | Guide the setting and events.            |

Pick anything other than **Myself** and three things change: the placeholder becomes **What should \[name] say or do next?** (or **What should happen in the next scene?** for the narrator), the send button becomes **Generate reply**, and a removable **Guiding \[name]** chip appears. Switch back to **Myself** to send an ordinary message again.

> **Your direction is not a message.** *"Describe what should happen in the
> next reply. AI generates it; your direction is not sent as a chat message."*
> Write what should happen — "she finally admits she was there that night" —
> not what you would say.

## The shortcut \[#the-shortcut]

You don't have to open the picker. From a normal composer:

```
/as Mira: she finally admits she was there that night
/as narrator: the power cuts out across the whole block
```

The colon form works for any name; `/as Mira she admits it` works for single-word names. A full-width `：` is accepted. `narrator` also answers to `旁白`, `ナレーター` and `내레이터`. The composer shows the reminder *"Shortcut: /as Name: direction guides the next reply."*

If the name doesn't match anyone in the chat you'll get *"No character with that name in this chat. Use /as Name: direction."* and nothing is sent.

## Guiding the narrator \[#guiding-the-narrator]

A narrator turn is written from outside the characters for that one reply: no character viewpoint, no first-person voice, no dialogue or inner thought unless your direction asks for it. Character voice and formatting resume on the next ordinary turn.

Because of that, two [slash commands](https://reverie.im/en/docs/chatting/slash-commands) are dropped on a narrator turn — **Narration style** and **Only character POV**. The rest still apply.

## What you need \[#what-you-need]

| Requirement                              | Why                                                                                                               |
| ---------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Signed in                                | The picker is hidden otherwise                                                                                    |
| At least one message in the chat         | *"Start a conversation before guiding a reply."*                                                                  |
| No attachments and no quote in the draft | *"Remove attachments and quotes, or switch back to yourself to send them."* Those need a visible message from you |
| Not in a bounty attempt                  | Guiding is unavailable while an attempt is running                                                                |

Direction is capped at the same length as a message — **5,000** characters.

## Steering it further \[#steering-it-further]

* **Slash commands ride along.** Attach a length, pacing or custom directive to the same turn and it applies to the generated reply.
* In character or narrator mode, use the wand to request three guidance ideas. Tap one to generate the reply; long-press to edit while keeping the target and commands. Automatic suggestions apply only to self mode.
* **Regenerating re-applies your direction**, along with any slash commands you sent with it, so a reroll answers the same brief rather than reverting to a plain reply.
* **In a group**, a card can hold more than one person: *"For cards with multiple people, name who speaks or acts in your text."* A direction also takes precedence over a **Who replies** pick, which is suppressed for that turn.

What comes back is an ordinary reply from your current model — you can edit it, regenerate it, fork from it or read it aloud like any other.

## Related \[#related]

* [Slash commands](https://reverie.im/en/docs/chatting/slash-commands) — the other one-turn controls, and how they combine with direction
* [The chat screen](https://reverie.im/en/docs/chatting) — where the picker sits in the composer
* [Group chats](https://reverie.im/en/docs/chatting/group-chats) — guiding one character out of a cast
* [Directing prose](https://reverie.im/en/docs/writing/directing-prose) — the equivalent when you're writing long-form