try to make app more intuitive

public/index.html

@@ -113,6 +113,7 @@
                                 <span id="chatModePill" class="context-pill chat-mode-pill">Assistant mode</span>
                                 <span id="chatCharacterPill" class="context-pill hidden">Character: none</span>
                                 <span id="chatUserPersonaPill" class="context-pill hidden">User persona: none</span>
+                                <span id="chatScenePill" class="context-pill hidden">Scene: none</span>
                             </div>
                         </div>
                         <div class="chat-toolbar">
@@ -179,7 +180,9 @@
                 <div class="input-shell input-shell-focus">
                     <div class="input-meta">
                         <p class="composer-hint">Enter sends. Shift+Enter adds a new line.</p>
+                        <p id="appNotice" class="status inline-status hidden" aria-live="polite"></p>
                     </div>
+                    <div id="quickPrompts" class="quick-prompts" aria-label="Suggested starters"></div>
                     <div class="input-container">
                         <textarea id="msgInput" placeholder="Type your message..."></textarea>
                         <button id="send" type="button" aria-label="Send message"></button>
@@ -264,7 +267,7 @@
         </div>
         <p id="roleplayStarterNotice" class="status hidden"></p>
         <div class="roleplay-starter-actions">
-            <button id="roleplayNewPersona" class="secondary-action" type="button">New persona</button>
+            <button id="roleplayNewPersona" class="secondary-action" type="button">Create AI Character</button>
             <a href="/settings" class="secondary-action">Settings</a>
         </div>
         <div class="persona-form-grid">
@@ -276,7 +279,12 @@
                 <span>User persona</span>
                 <select id="roleplayUserPersonaSelect"></select>
             </label>
+            <label class="field field-wide">
+                <span>Scenario seed</span>
+                <textarea id="roleplayScenarioInput" rows="3" placeholder="Optional. Describe the kind of opening scene you want, such as a setting, conflict, relationship dynamic, or mood."></textarea>
+            </label>
         </div>
+        <div id="roleplayStarterSuggestions" class="quick-prompts" aria-label="Scenario suggestions"></div>
         <div class="popup-actions">
             <button id="roleplayStarterCancel" type="button" class="secondary-action">Cancel</button>
             <button id="roleplayStarterConfirm" type="button">Start roleplay</button>

public/script.js

@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ const loginSubmit = $("loginSubmit"), registerSubmit = $("registerSubmit");
 const chatList = $("chatList"), chatSearchInput = $("chatSearch"), newChatBtn = $("newChat");
 const renameChatBtn = $("renameChat"), clearChatBtn = $("clearChat"), exportChatBtn = $("exportChat");
 const activeChatTitle = $("activeChatTitle"), sessionUser = $("sessionUser");
-const chatModePill = $("chatModePill"), chatCharacterPill = $("chatCharacterPill"), chatUserPersonaPill = $("chatUserPersonaPill");
+const chatModePill = $("chatModePill"), chatCharacterPill = $("chatCharacterPill"), chatUserPersonaPill = $("chatUserPersonaPill"), chatScenePill = $("chatScenePill");
 const personaList = $("personaList"), userPersonaList = $("userPersonaList");
 const personaForm = $("personaForm"), personaFormTitle = $("personaFormTitle"), personaTypeSelect = $("personaType");
 const personaNameInput = $("personaName"), personaPronounsInput = $("personaPronouns"), personaAppearanceInput = $("personaAppearance");
@@ -23,9 +23,11 @@ const activePersonaStatus = $("activePersonaStatus"), activeUserPersonaStatus =
 const personaModal = $("personaModal"), personaCloseBtn = $("personaClose"), personaMenuButton = $("personaMenuButton"), personaPopover = $("personaPopover");
 const roleplayStarterModal = $("roleplayStarterModal"), roleplayStarterClose = $("roleplayStarterClose"), roleplayStarterCancel = $("roleplayStarterCancel"), roleplayStarterConfirm = $("roleplayStarterConfirm");
 const roleplayStarterNotice = $("roleplayStarterNotice"), roleplayCharacterSelect = $("roleplayCharacterSelect"), roleplayUserPersonaSelect = $("roleplayUserPersonaSelect");
+const roleplayScenarioInput = $("roleplayScenarioInput"), roleplayStarterSuggestions = $("roleplayStarterSuggestions");
 const popupModal = $("popupModal"), popupCloseBtn = $("popupClose"), popupCancelBtn = $("popupCancel"), popupConfirmBtn = $("popupConfirm");
 const popupTitle = $("popupTitle"), popupEyebrow = $("popupEyebrow"), popupDescription = $("popupDescription"), popupField = $("popupField");
 const popupInputLabel = $("popupInputLabel"), popupInput = $("popupInput");
+const appNotice = $("appNotice"), quickPrompts = $("quickPrompts");
 const authScreens = document.querySelectorAll(".auth-screen"), toggleButtons = document.querySelectorAll(".auth-toggle .toggle");
 const themeNameTargets = document.querySelectorAll("[data-theme-name]"), themeLogoTargets = document.querySelectorAll("[data-theme-logo]");
 const requestedChatId = Number(new URLSearchParams(window.location.search).get("chat")) || null;
@@ -35,6 +37,7 @@ let chatSessions = [], currentMessages = [], assistantPersonas = [], userPersona
 let activeUserPersonaId = null, currentSummary = null, publishedPersonaIds = new Set();
 let popupResolver = null, popupMode = null, popupLastFocus = null;
 let roleplayPresetCharacterId = null;
+let noticeTimer = null;
 
 const themes = {
     "fakegpt": {name: "FakeGPT", short: "FG"},
@@ -64,7 +67,27 @@ const put = (url, data) => request(url, data, "PUT");
 const del = (url) => request(url, null, "DELETE");
 
 function setAuthMessage(message, state = "") { authMsg.textContent = message; authMsg.className = state ? `status ${state}` : "status"; }
-function setNotice(message, state = "") { return {message, state}; }
+function setNotice(message = "", state = "") {
+    if (!appNotice) return {message, state};
+    if (noticeTimer) {
+        clearTimeout(noticeTimer);
+        noticeTimer = null;
+    }
+    if (!message) {
+        appNotice.textContent = "";
+        appNotice.className = "status inline-status hidden";
+        return {message, state};
+    }
+    appNotice.textContent = message;
+    appNotice.className = state ? `status inline-status ${state}` : "status inline-status";
+    noticeTimer = window.setTimeout(() => {
+        if (appNotice.textContent === message) {
+            appNotice.textContent = "";
+            appNotice.className = "status inline-status hidden";
+        }
+    }, state === "error" ? 6000 : 3200);
+    return {message, state};
+}
 function setPersonaFormNotice(message = "", state = "") {
     if (!personaFormNotice) return;
     if (!message) {
@@ -85,6 +108,82 @@ function setMessageContent(el, content) {
     }
 }
 function getChatById(id) { return chatSessions.find((chat) => chat.id === id); }
+function summarizeText(value, limit = 96) {
+    const normalized = String(value || "").replace(/\s+/g, " ").trim();
+    if (!normalized) return "";
+    return normalized.length > limit ? `${normalized.slice(0, limit - 3).trimEnd()}...` : normalized;
+}
+function getPersonaName(id, items) {
+    return items.find((persona) => persona.id === id)?.name || "";
+}
+function getRoleplayStarterSuggestions() {
+    const assistantPersonaId = Number(roleplayCharacterSelect?.value);
+    const userPersonaId = roleplayUserPersonaSelect?.value ? Number(roleplayUserPersonaSelect.value) : null;
+    const assistantName = getPersonaName(assistantPersonaId, assistantPersonas) || "the character";
+    const userName = userPersonaId ? getPersonaName(userPersonaId, userPersonas) : "me";
+    return [
+        `${assistantName} unexpectedly crosses paths with ${userName} in a place that matters to them both.`,
+        `${assistantName} already knows something important about ${userName} and confronts them with it.`,
+        `${assistantName} and ${userName} are forced to cooperate while something goes wrong around them.`,
+        `${assistantName} meets ${userName} in a quiet, intimate scene with unresolved tension.`,
+        `${assistantName} draws ${userName} into a high-stakes problem that starts immediately.`
+    ];
+}
+function updateRoleplaySuggestions() {
+    if (!roleplayStarterSuggestions) return;
+    roleplayStarterSuggestions.innerHTML = "";
+    getRoleplayStarterSuggestions().forEach((suggestion) => {
+        const button = document.createElement("button");
+        button.type = "button";
+        button.className = "prompt-chip";
+        button.textContent = suggestion;
+        button.addEventListener("click", () => {
+            if (roleplayScenarioInput) {
+                roleplayScenarioInput.value = suggestion;
+                roleplayScenarioInput.focus();
+            }
+        });
+        roleplayStarterSuggestions.appendChild(button);
+    });
+}
+function getQuickPromptsForChat(chat) {
+    if (chat?.assistant_persona_id) {
+        const characterName = chat.assistant_persona_name || chat.title || "the character";
+        const userName = chat.user_persona_name || "me";
+        return [
+            `Stay in character and describe what ${characterName} notices about ${userName} right now.`,
+            `Push the scene forward with a new complication.`,
+            `Respond with sharper tension and more specific detail.`,
+            `Let ${characterName} reveal what they actually want from me.`
+        ];
+    }
+    return [];
+}
+function renderQuickPrompts() {
+    if (!quickPrompts) return;
+    const activeChat = getChatById(activeChatId);
+    const prompts = getQuickPromptsForChat(activeChat);
+    quickPrompts.innerHTML = "";
+    quickPrompts.classList.toggle("hidden", prompts.length === 0);
+    prompts.forEach((prompt) => {
+        const button = document.createElement("button");
+        button.type = "button";
+        button.className = "prompt-chip";
+        button.textContent = prompt;
+        button.addEventListener("click", () => {
+            msgInput.value = prompt;
+            msgInput.dispatchEvent(new Event("input"));
+            msgInput.focus();
+        });
+        quickPrompts.appendChild(button);
+    });
+}
+function updateComposerPlaceholder() {
+    const activeChat = getChatById(activeChatId);
+    msgInput.placeholder = activeChat?.assistant_persona_id
+        ? "Reply in the scene..."
+        : "Type your message...";
+}
 
 function addMessage(content, isUser = false, isLoading = false) {
     const msgDiv = document.createElement("div");
@@ -105,7 +204,8 @@ function addMessage(content, isUser = false, isLoading = false) {
     } else {
         const header = document.createElement("div"), body = document.createElement("div");
         header.className = "msg-header"; body.className = "msg-content";
-        header.textContent = isUser ? "You" : "Assistant";
+        const activeChat = getChatById(activeChatId);
+        header.textContent = isUser ? "You" : (activeChat?.assistant_persona_name || "Assistant");
         setMessageContent(body, content);
         msgDiv.append(header, body);
     }
@@ -119,6 +219,8 @@ function renderMessages() {
     currentMessages.forEach((msg) => addMessage(msg.content, msg.role === "user"));
     updateChatParticipants();
     updateChatActionState();
+    renderQuickPrompts();
+    updateComposerPlaceholder();
 }
 
 function updateWorkspaceCopy() {
@@ -130,6 +232,8 @@ function updateWorkspaceCopy() {
         sessionUser.textContent = currentUsername || "-";
     }
     updateChatParticipants();
+    renderQuickPrompts();
+    updateComposerPlaceholder();
 }
 
 function setRoleplayStarterNotice(message = "", state = "") {
@@ -145,11 +249,12 @@ function setRoleplayStarterNotice(message = "", state = "") {
 
 function updateChatParticipants() {
     const chat = getChatById(activeChatId);
-    if (!chatModePill || !chatCharacterPill || !chatUserPersonaPill) return;
+    if (!chatModePill || !chatCharacterPill || !chatUserPersonaPill || !chatScenePill) return;
     if (!chat) {
         chatModePill.textContent = "No chat selected";
         chatCharacterPill.classList.add("hidden");
         chatUserPersonaPill.classList.add("hidden");
+        chatScenePill.classList.add("hidden");
         return;
     }
     if (chat.assistant_persona_id) {
@@ -163,11 +268,18 @@ function updateChatParticipants() {
             chatUserPersonaPill.textContent = "You as: yourself";
             chatUserPersonaPill.classList.remove("hidden");
         }
+        if (chat.scenario_summary) {
+            chatScenePill.textContent = `Scene: ${summarizeText(chat.scenario_summary, 112)}`;
+            chatScenePill.classList.remove("hidden");
+        } else {
+            chatScenePill.classList.add("hidden");
+        }
         return;
     }
     chatModePill.textContent = "Assistant mode";
     chatCharacterPill.classList.add("hidden");
     chatUserPersonaPill.classList.add("hidden");
+    chatScenePill.classList.add("hidden");
 }
 
 function updateContextRail() {
@@ -292,8 +404,8 @@ function updateActivePersonaStatus(items, activeId, statusEl, emptyText, prefix)
 function setActivePersonaStatus() {
     if (activePersonaStatus) {
         activePersonaStatus.textContent = assistantPersonas.length
-            ? "Pick a character, choose a user persona, and start the roleplay."
+            ? "Choose an AI Character, pair it with a user persona if needed, and start the scene."
-            : "No characters yet. Create one to start a roleplay.";
+            : "No AI Characters yet. Create one to start a roleplay.";
     }
     updateActivePersonaStatus(userPersonas, activeUserPersonaId, activeUserPersonaStatus, "No default user persona set.", "Default user persona");
     if (clearUserPersonaBtn) clearUserPersonaBtn.disabled = !activeUserPersonaId;
@@ -347,12 +459,14 @@ function populateRoleplayStarter() {
         option.selected = persona.id === activeUserPersonaId;
         roleplayUserPersonaSelect.appendChild(option);
     });
+    updateRoleplaySuggestions();
 }
 function openRoleplayStarter(characterId = null) {
     closePersonaPopover();
     closeModelPopover();
     roleplayPresetCharacterId = characterId;
     populateRoleplayStarter();
+    if (roleplayScenarioInput) roleplayScenarioInput.value = "";
     setRoleplayStarterNotice("");
     roleplayStarterModal.classList.remove("hidden");
     if (roleplayCharacterSelect.options.length) roleplayCharacterSelect.focus();
@@ -362,6 +476,7 @@ function closeRoleplayStarter() {
     roleplayStarterModal.classList.add("hidden");
     roleplayPresetCharacterId = null;
     roleplayStarterConfirm.disabled = false;
+    if (roleplayScenarioInput) roleplayScenarioInput.value = "";
     setRoleplayStarterNotice("");
 }
 function closeModelPopover() {
@@ -539,7 +654,12 @@ async function unpublishPersona(id) { const res = await post(`/personas/${id}/un
 
 function setLoadingState(loading) {
     isProcessing = loading; sendBtn.disabled = loading; msgInput.disabled = loading;
-    sendBtn.classList.toggle("loading", loading); msgInput.placeholder = loading ? "Processing response..." : "Type your message...";
+    sendBtn.classList.toggle("loading", loading);
+    if (loading) {
+        msgInput.placeholder = "Processing response...";
+    } else {
+        updateComposerPlaceholder();
+    }
 }
 
 function showAuthScreen(target) {
@@ -578,14 +698,16 @@ async function createNewChat() {
 async function startRoleplay() {
     const assistantPersonaId = Number(roleplayCharacterSelect.value);
     const userPersonaId = roleplayUserPersonaSelect.value ? Number(roleplayUserPersonaSelect.value) : null;
+    const scenarioPrompt = roleplayScenarioInput?.value.trim() || "";
     if (!assistantPersonaId) {
         return setRoleplayStarterNotice("Choose a character to start the roleplay.", "error");
     }
     roleplayStarterConfirm.disabled = true;
-    setRoleplayStarterNotice("Starting roleplay...");
+    setRoleplayStarterNotice("Building the opening scene...");
     const res = await post("/roleplays/start", {
         assistantPersonaId,
         userPersonaId,
+        scenarioPrompt,
         model: modelSelect.value
     });
     roleplayStarterConfirm.disabled = false;
@@ -595,7 +717,7 @@ async function startRoleplay() {
     closeRoleplayStarter();
     await loadChatSessions();
     await setActiveChat(res.chat.id);
-    setNotice(res.generatedInitialMessage ? "Roleplay started." : "Roleplay reopened.", "success");
+    setNotice(res.generatedInitialMessage ? "Roleplay started with a fresh scene." : "Roleplay reopened.", "success");
 }
 
 async function renameChat(id) {
@@ -778,6 +900,8 @@ personaModal.addEventListener("click", (event) => { if (event.target === persona
 roleplayStarterClose.addEventListener("click", closeRoleplayStarter);
 roleplayStarterCancel.addEventListener("click", closeRoleplayStarter);
 roleplayStarterConfirm.addEventListener("click", () => { void startRoleplay(); });
+roleplayCharacterSelect.addEventListener("change", updateRoleplaySuggestions);
+roleplayUserPersonaSelect.addEventListener("change", updateRoleplaySuggestions);
 roleplayStarterModal.addEventListener("click", (event) => { if (event.target === roleplayStarterModal) closeRoleplayStarter(); });
 popupConfirmBtn.addEventListener("click", () => {
     if (popupMode === "prompt") {

public/settings.html

@@ -25,6 +25,11 @@
 
     <p id="settingsNotice" class="status">Loading settings...</p>
 
+    <section class="settings-quick-actions">
+        <button id="quickCreateAiCharacter" type="button" class="primary-action">Create AI Character</button>
+        <button id="quickCreateUserPersona" type="button" class="secondary-action">Create User Persona</button>
+    </section>
+
     <section class="settings-layout">
         <aside class="settings-nav" aria-label="Settings sections">
             <button class="settings-nav-item active" type="button" data-settings-view="personal">Personal</button>
@@ -88,11 +93,11 @@
                 <div class="settings-panel">
                     <div class="settings-section-header">
                         <div>
-                            <p class="eyebrow">Manage</p>
+                            <p class="eyebrow">Create & manage</p>
                             <h2>My AI Characters</h2>
-                            <p class="subtitle">Create, edit, publish, and delete your AI Characters.</p>
+                            <p class="subtitle">Build characters for roleplay chats and publish them to the market when they are ready.</p>
                         </div>
-                        <button id="createAiCharacter" type="button" class="secondary-action">Create persona</button>
+                        <button id="createAiCharacter" type="button" class="secondary-action">Create AI Character</button>
                     </div>
                     <div id="settingsAiCharacterList" class="persona-list"></div>
                 </div>
@@ -102,11 +107,11 @@
                 <div class="settings-panel">
                     <div class="settings-section-header">
                         <div>
-                            <p class="eyebrow">Manage</p>
+                            <p class="eyebrow">Create & manage</p>
                             <h2>My Personas</h2>
-                            <p class="subtitle">Create and manage the user personas you can speak as in roleplay chats.</p>
+                            <p class="subtitle">Create the personas you want to speak as, then set one as default for faster roleplay setup.</p>
                         </div>
-                        <button id="createUserPersona" type="button" class="secondary-action">Create persona</button>
+                        <button id="createUserPersona" type="button" class="secondary-action">Create user persona</button>
                     </div>
                     <div id="settingsUserPersonaList" class="persona-list"></div>
                 </div>

public/settings.js

@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@ const settingsNavItems = document.querySelectorAll("[data-settings-view]");
 const settingsPanels = document.querySelectorAll("[data-settings-panel]");
 const createAiCharacterBtn = $("createAiCharacter");
 const createUserPersonaBtn = $("createUserPersona");
+const quickCreateAiCharacterBtn = $("quickCreateAiCharacter");
+const quickCreateUserPersonaBtn = $("quickCreateUserPersona");
 const settingsAiCharacterList = $("settingsAiCharacterList");
 const settingsUserPersonaList = $("settingsUserPersonaList");
 const settingsPersonaModal = $("settingsPersonaModal");
@@ -101,8 +103,8 @@ function syncPersonaExamplesField() {
     const isAssistant = settingsPersonaType.value === "assistant";
     settingsPersonaExamplesField.classList.toggle("hidden", !isAssistant);
     settingsPersonaHelper.textContent = isAssistant
-        ? "AI Characters define who the character is, how they speak, and what kind of scene they lead."
+        ? "Create the character you want to roleplay with."
-        : "User personas define who you are when starting roleplay chats with AI Characters.";
+        : "Create the persona you want to speak as in roleplay.";
     $("settingsPersonaSave").textContent = isAssistant ? "Save AI Character" : "Save persona";
 }
 
@@ -134,11 +136,17 @@ function closePersonaModal() {
 function renderPersonaList(personas, listElement, type) {
     listElement.innerHTML = "";
     if (!personas.length) {
-        const empty = document.createElement("p");
+        const empty = document.createElement("div");
-        empty.className = "status persona-status";
+        const message = document.createElement("p");
-        empty.textContent = type === "assistant"
+        const button = document.createElement("button");
-            ? "No AI Characters yet. Create one to get started."
+        empty.className = "persona-empty-state";
-            : "No user personas yet. Create one to talk as someone specific.";
+        message.className = "status persona-status";
+        message.textContent = type === "assistant" ? "No AI Characters yet." : "No user personas yet.";
+        button.type = "button";
+        button.className = "secondary-action";
+        button.textContent = type === "assistant" ? "Create AI Character" : "Create user persona";
+        button.addEventListener("click", () => openPersonaModal(null, type));
+        empty.append(message, button);
         listElement.appendChild(empty);
         return;
     }
@@ -213,6 +221,7 @@ async function loadPersonas() {
 }
 
 async function savePersona() {
+    const wasEditing = Boolean(editingPersonaId);
     const payload = {
         personaType: settingsPersonaType.value,
         name: settingsPersonaName.value.trim(),
@@ -240,7 +249,7 @@ async function savePersona() {
     await loadPersonas();
     closePersonaModal();
     setSettingsView(payload.personaType === "assistant" ? "my-ai-characters" : "my-personas");
-    setNotice(editingPersonaId ? "Persona updated." : "Persona created.", "success");
+    setNotice(wasEditing ? "Persona updated." : "Persona created.", "success");
 }
 
 async function deletePersona(id) {
@@ -322,6 +331,14 @@ settingsThemeSelect.addEventListener("change", (event) => {
 });
 
 settingsNavItems.forEach((item) => item.addEventListener("click", () => setSettingsView(item.dataset.settingsView)));
+quickCreateAiCharacterBtn.addEventListener("click", () => {
+    setSettingsView("my-ai-characters");
+    openPersonaModal(null, "assistant");
+});
+quickCreateUserPersonaBtn.addEventListener("click", () => {
+    setSettingsView("my-personas");
+    openPersonaModal(null, "user");
+});
 createAiCharacterBtn.addEventListener("click", () => openPersonaModal(null, "assistant"));
 createUserPersonaBtn.addEventListener("click", () => openPersonaModal(null, "user"));
 settingsPersonaClose.addEventListener("click", closePersonaModal);

public/style.css

@@ -530,6 +530,7 @@ select:focus {
 .inline-status {
     min-height: auto;
     padding: 10px 12px;
+    flex: 1 1 260px;
 }
 
 .consent-container {
@@ -1043,6 +1044,9 @@ select:focus {
 }
 
 .prompt-chip {
+    display: inline-flex;
+    align-items: center;
+    justify-content: center;
     padding: 9px 12px;
     border-radius: 999px;
     background: rgba(255, 251, 245, 0.65);
@@ -1453,6 +1457,8 @@ select:focus {
     border-radius: 16px;
     background: rgba(24, 32, 31, 0.04);
     border: 1px solid rgba(24, 32, 31, 0.08);
+    display: grid;
+    gap: 14px;
 }
 
 .persona-form > .status {
@@ -1594,6 +1600,17 @@ select:focus {
     gap: 16px;
 }
 
+.settings-quick-actions {
+    display: flex;
+    gap: 12px;
+    flex-wrap: wrap;
+}
+
+.settings-quick-actions .primary-action,
+.settings-quick-actions .secondary-action {
+    min-width: 210px;
+}
+
 .settings-shell .market-header-simple {
     display: grid;
     grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 1fr) auto;
@@ -1710,6 +1727,16 @@ select:focus {
     color: var(--text-muted);
 }
 
+.persona-empty-state {
+    display: grid;
+    justify-items: start;
+    gap: 10px;
+    padding: 16px;
+    border-radius: 14px;
+    background: rgba(24, 32, 31, 0.04);
+    border: 1px dashed rgba(24, 32, 31, 0.14);
+}
+
 body[data-theme="fakegpt"] {
     --bg: #0b0f0d;
     --bg-soft: #111715;

server.js

@@ -135,6 +135,10 @@ db.prepare(`
             INTEGER,
         user_persona_id
             INTEGER,
+        scenario_prompt
+            TEXT,
+        scenario_summary
+            TEXT,
         created_at
             DATETIME
             DEFAULT
@@ -331,7 +335,7 @@ const getLegacyChatsStmt = db.prepare(`
     ORDER BY datetime(created_at)
 `);
 const insertChatSessionStmt = db.prepare(
-    "INSERT INTO chat_sessions (username, title, assistant_persona_id, user_persona_id) VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?)"
+    "INSERT INTO chat_sessions (username, title, assistant_persona_id, user_persona_id, scenario_prompt, scenario_summary) VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?)"
 );
 const listChatSessionsStmt = db.prepare(`
     SELECT cs.id,
@@ -344,6 +348,8 @@ const listChatSessionsStmt = db.prepare(`
            p.name AS assistant_persona_name,
            cs.user_persona_id,
            up.name AS user_persona_name,
+           cs.scenario_prompt,
+           cs.scenario_summary,
            cs.created_at,
            cs.updated_at
     FROM chat_sessions cs
@@ -369,7 +375,9 @@ const getChatSessionStmt = db.prepare(`
            cs.assistant_persona_id,
            p.name AS assistant_persona_name,
            cs.user_persona_id,
-           up.name AS user_persona_name
+           up.name AS user_persona_name,
+           cs.scenario_prompt,
+           cs.scenario_summary
     FROM chat_sessions cs
              LEFT JOIN personas p ON p.id = cs.assistant_persona_id
              LEFT JOIN personas up ON up.id = cs.user_persona_id
@@ -387,7 +395,9 @@ const getChatSessionByParticipantsStmt = db.prepare(`
            cs.assistant_persona_id,
            p.name AS assistant_persona_name,
            cs.user_persona_id,
-           up.name AS user_persona_name
+           up.name AS user_persona_name,
+           cs.scenario_prompt,
+           cs.scenario_summary
     FROM chat_sessions cs
              LEFT JOIN personas p ON p.id = cs.assistant_persona_id
              LEFT JOIN personas up ON up.id = cs.user_persona_id
@@ -405,6 +415,10 @@ const updateChatSessionTitleStmt = db.prepare(
     "UPDATE chat_sessions SET title = ?, updated_at = CURRENT_TIMESTAMP WHERE id = ? AND username = ?"
 );
 
+const updateChatSessionSceneStmt = db.prepare(
+    "UPDATE chat_sessions SET scenario_prompt = ?, scenario_summary = ?, updated_at = CURRENT_TIMESTAMP WHERE id = ? AND username = ?"
+);
+
 const touchChatSessionStmt = db.prepare(
     "UPDATE chat_sessions SET updated_at = CURRENT_TIMESTAMP WHERE id = ? AND username = ?"
 );
@@ -793,6 +807,14 @@ const hasChatUserPersonaLink = chatSessionColumns.some(column => column.name ===
 if (!hasChatUserPersonaLink) {
     db.prepare("ALTER TABLE chat_sessions ADD COLUMN user_persona_id INTEGER").run();
 }
+const hasScenarioPrompt = chatSessionColumns.some(column => column.name === "scenario_prompt");
+if (!hasScenarioPrompt) {
+    db.prepare("ALTER TABLE chat_sessions ADD COLUMN scenario_prompt TEXT").run();
+}
+const hasScenarioSummary = chatSessionColumns.some(column => column.name === "scenario_summary");
+if (!hasScenarioSummary) {
+    db.prepare("ALTER TABLE chat_sessions ADD COLUMN scenario_summary TEXT").run();
+}
 
 const FileStore = FileStoreFactory(session);
 app.use(bodyParser.json());
@@ -1010,19 +1032,95 @@ const buildUserPersonaPrompt = (persona) => {
     return lines.join("\n");
 };
 
-const createPersonaChat = (user, persona, userPersonaId = null) => {
+const summarizePersona = (persona) => {
-    const chatId = insertChatSessionStmt.run(user, persona.name, persona.id, userPersonaId).lastInsertRowid;
+    if (!persona) return "";
+    return [
+        persona.name ? `Name: ${persona.name}` : null,
+        persona.pronouns ? `Pronouns: ${persona.pronouns}` : null,
+        persona.background ? `Background: ${persona.background}` : null,
+        persona.details ? `Traits: ${persona.details}` : null
+    ].filter(Boolean).join(" | ");
+};
+
+const clampText = (value, limit = 260) => {
+    const normalized = String(value || "").replace(/\s+/g, " ").trim();
+    if (normalized.length <= limit) return normalized;
+    return `${normalized.slice(0, limit - 3).trimEnd()}...`;
+};
+
+const buildRoleplaySceneSummary = (assistantPersona, userPersona, scenarioPrompt = "") => {
+    const assistantName = assistantPersona?.name || "The assistant";
+    const userName = userPersona?.name || "the user";
+    const assistantHook = assistantPersona?.details || assistantPersona?.background || "stays strongly in character";
+    const userHook = userPersona?.details || userPersona?.background || "enters the scene as themselves";
+    const scenarioSeed = scenarioPrompt
+        ? clampText(scenarioPrompt, 180)
+        : `A fitting opening grows naturally from ${assistantName}'s role, goals, and manner toward ${userName}.`;
+    return clampText(
+        `${assistantName} leads the opening. Their approach is shaped by ${assistantHook}. ` +
+        `${userName} is framed through ${userHook}. ` +
+        `Scene seed: ${scenarioSeed}`,
+        340
+    );
+};
+
+const buildRoleplayDirectionPrompt = ({assistantPersona, userPersona, scenarioPrompt, sceneSummary}) => {
+    const lines = [
+        "ROLEPLAY DIRECTION:",
+        "Create an immersive one-on-one roleplay between the assistant persona and the user.",
+        "Ground the interaction in a specific scenario, place, and immediate dramatic situation.",
+        "Make the assistant's first instinct, language, and priorities fit their persona exactly.",
+        "Use the user persona as interaction context so the assistant addresses them in a fitting way.",
+        "Avoid generic openings, meta commentary, and requests for permission to begin.",
+        "Do not write dialogue or internal thoughts for the user.",
+        "Prefer a concrete opening beat over vague exposition.",
+        "Include a subtle hook, tension, invitation, or problem that gives the user something to respond to.",
+        "",
+        `SCENE SUMMARY: ${sceneSummary}`
+    ];
+    if (scenarioPrompt) {
+        lines.push(`USER SCENARIO SEED: ${scenarioPrompt}`);
+    }
+    if (assistantPersona) {
+        lines.push("", `ASSISTANT SNAPSHOT: ${summarizePersona(assistantPersona)}`);
+    }
+    if (userPersona) {
+        lines.push(`USER SNAPSHOT: ${summarizePersona(userPersona)}`);
+    }
+    return lines.join("\n");
+};
+
+const buildRoleplayOpenerPrompt = ({assistantPersona, userPersona, scenarioPrompt, sceneSummary}) => {
+    const assistantName = assistantPersona?.name || "the assistant";
+    const userName = userPersona?.name || "the user";
+    const sceneSeed = scenarioPrompt
+        ? `Use this scenario seed: ${scenarioPrompt}`
+        : `Invent a fresh scenario that suits ${assistantName} and how they would realistically meet or confront ${userName}.`;
+
+    return [
+        `Write the first in-character message from ${assistantName}.`,
+        sceneSeed,
+        `Address ${userName} naturally within the scene.`,
+        "The message should establish the situation immediately instead of explaining setup out of character.",
+        "Use 1 to 3 short paragraphs. Sensory detail is allowed, but keep momentum.",
+        "End with a line, question, action, or reveal that gives the user an obvious way to answer.",
+        `Keep this scene continuity in mind: ${sceneSummary}`
+    ].join("\n");
+};
+
+const createPersonaChat = (user, persona, userPersonaId = null, scenarioPrompt = null, scenarioSummary = null) => {
+    const chatId = insertChatSessionStmt.run(user, persona.name, persona.id, userPersonaId, scenarioPrompt, scenarioSummary).lastInsertRowid;
     return getChatSessionStmt.get(chatId, user);
 };
 
-const getOrCreatePersonaChat = (user, persona, userPersonaId = null) => {
+const getOrCreatePersonaChat = (user, persona, userPersonaId = null, scenarioPrompt = null, scenarioSummary = null) => {
     const existing = getChatSessionByParticipantsStmt.get(user, persona.id, userPersonaId, userPersonaId);
     if (existing) return existing;
     const sessionCount = countChatSessionsStmt.get(user).count;
     if (sessionCount >= 10) {
         throw new Error("CHAT_LIMIT_REACHED");
     }
-    return createPersonaChat(user, persona, userPersonaId);
+    return createPersonaChat(user, persona, userPersonaId, scenarioPrompt, scenarioSummary);
 };
 
 const ensureModelState = (model) => {
@@ -1132,7 +1230,7 @@ app.post("/chats", requireLogin, (req, res) => {
     }
 
     const title = (req.body?.title || "New chat").trim() || "New chat";
-    const chatId = insertChatSessionStmt.run(user, title, null, null).lastInsertRowid;
+    const chatId = insertChatSessionStmt.run(user, title, null, null, null, null).lastInsertRowid;
     const chat = getChatSessionStmt.get(chatId, user);
     res.json({chat, existing: false});
 });
@@ -1281,7 +1379,7 @@ app.post("/personas/:id/chat", requireLogin, (req, res) => {
     }
     let chat;
     try {
-        chat = getOrCreatePersonaChat(user, persona, userPersonaId);
+        chat = getOrCreatePersonaChat(user, persona, userPersonaId, null, null);
     } catch (error) {
         if (error.message === "CHAT_LIMIT_REACHED") {
             return res.status(400).json({error: "Maximum of 10 chats reached. Please delete an old chat to create a new one."});
@@ -1450,9 +1548,11 @@ app.post("/personas/market/:id/chat", requireLogin, (req, res) => {
     }
 
     const persona = getPersonaStmt.get(personaId, user);
+    const scenarioPrompt = clampText(req.body?.scenarioPrompt || "", 240) || null;
+    const sceneSummary = buildRoleplaySceneSummary(persona, userPersona, scenarioPrompt);
     let chat;
     try {
-        chat = getOrCreatePersonaChat(user, persona, userPersonaId);
+        chat = getOrCreatePersonaChat(user, persona, userPersonaId, scenarioPrompt, sceneSummary);
     } catch (error) {
         if (error.message === "CHAT_LIMIT_REACHED") {
             return res.status(400).json({error: "Maximum of 10 chats reached. Please delete an old chat to create a new one."});
@@ -1463,14 +1563,17 @@ app.post("/personas/market/:id/chat", requireLogin, (req, res) => {
     if (existingMessages.length > 0) {
         return res.json({persona, chat, existing: true, generatedInitialMessage: false});
     }
+    updateChatSessionSceneStmt.run(scenarioPrompt, sceneSummary, chat.id, user);
+    chat = getChatSessionStmt.get(chat.id, user);
     Promise.resolve(generateModelReply("mistral:latest", [
         {role: "system", content: buildPersonaPrompt(persona)},
         ...(userPersona ? [{role: "system", content: buildUserPersonaPrompt(userPersona)}] : []),
-        {role: "user", content: "Open this roleplay with the very first in-character message. Set the scene naturally, stay in persona, and do not ask for permission to begin."}
+        {role: "system", content: buildRoleplayDirectionPrompt({assistantPersona: persona, userPersona, scenarioPrompt, sceneSummary})},
+        {role: "user", content: buildRoleplayOpenerPrompt({assistantPersona: persona, userPersona, scenarioPrompt, sceneSummary})}
     ])).then((opener) => {
         insertChatMessageStmt.run(chat.id, "bot", opener);
         touchChatSessionStmt.run(chat.id, user);
-        res.json({persona, chat, existing: false, generatedInitialMessage: true, opener});
+        res.json({persona, chat: getChatSessionStmt.get(chat.id, user), existing: false, generatedInitialMessage: true, opener});
     }).catch(() => {
         res.json({persona, chat, existing: false, generatedInitialMessage: false});
     });
@@ -1481,6 +1584,7 @@ app.post("/roleplays/start", requireLogin, async (req, res) => {
     const selectedModel = req.body?.model || "mistral:latest";
     const assistantPersonaId = Number(req.body?.assistantPersonaId);
     const userPersonaId = req.body?.userPersonaId ? Number(req.body.userPersonaId) : null;
+    const scenarioPrompt = clampText(req.body?.scenarioPrompt || "", 240) || null;
 
     if (!assistantPersonaId) {
         return res.status(400).json({error: "assistantPersonaId is required"});
@@ -1500,8 +1604,9 @@ app.post("/roleplays/start", requireLogin, async (req, res) => {
     }
 
     let chat;
+    const sceneSummary = buildRoleplaySceneSummary(assistantPersona, userPersona, scenarioPrompt);
     try {
-        chat = getOrCreatePersonaChat(user, assistantPersona, userPersonaId);
+        chat = getOrCreatePersonaChat(user, assistantPersona, userPersonaId, scenarioPrompt, sceneSummary);
     } catch (error) {
         if (error.message === "CHAT_LIMIT_REACHED") {
             return res.status(400).json({error: "Maximum of 10 chats reached. Please delete an old chat to create a new one."});
@@ -1513,6 +1618,8 @@ app.post("/roleplays/start", requireLogin, async (req, res) => {
     if (existingMessages.length > 0) {
         return res.json({chat, existing: true, generatedInitialMessage: false});
     }
+    updateChatSessionSceneStmt.run(scenarioPrompt, sceneSummary, chat.id, user);
+    chat = getChatSessionStmt.get(chat.id, user);
 
     const messagesPayload = [
         {role: "system", content: buildPersonaPrompt(assistantPersona)}
@@ -1520,9 +1627,13 @@ app.post("/roleplays/start", requireLogin, async (req, res) => {
     if (userPersona) {
         messagesPayload.push({role: "system", content: buildUserPersonaPrompt(userPersona)});
     }
+    messagesPayload.push({
+        role: "system",
+        content: buildRoleplayDirectionPrompt({assistantPersona, userPersona, scenarioPrompt, sceneSummary})
+    });
     messagesPayload.push({
         role: "user",
-        content: "Open this roleplay with the very first in-character message. Set the scene naturally, stay in persona, and do not ask for permission to begin."
+        content: buildRoleplayOpenerPrompt({assistantPersona, userPersona, scenarioPrompt, sceneSummary})
     });
 
     try {
@@ -1532,7 +1643,7 @@ app.post("/roleplays/start", requireLogin, async (req, res) => {
         }
         insertChatMessageStmt.run(chat.id, "bot", opener);
         touchChatSessionStmt.run(chat.id, user);
-        return res.json({chat, existing: false, generatedInitialMessage: true, opener});
+        return res.json({chat: getChatSessionStmt.get(chat.id, user), existing: false, generatedInitialMessage: true, opener});
     } catch {
         return res.status(500).json({error: "Failed to generate the character opener"});
     }
@@ -1556,6 +1667,8 @@ app.post("/chat", requireLogin, async (req, res) => {
     try {
         const activePersona = getAssistantPersonaForChatStmt.get(targetChatId, user);
         const activeUserPersona = getUserPersonaForChatStmt.get(targetChatId, user) || getActiveUserPersonaStmt.get(user);
+        const sceneSummary = session.scenario_summary;
+        const scenarioPrompt = session.scenario_prompt;
         const history = getRecentChatMessagesStmt.all(targetChatId);
         const conversation = [...history].reverse();
         conversation.push({role: "user", content: message});
@@ -1574,6 +1687,17 @@ app.post("/chat", requireLogin, async (req, res) => {
                 content: buildUserPersonaPrompt(activeUserPersona)
             });
         }
+        if (activePersona && sceneSummary) {
+            messagesPayload.push({
+                role: "system",
+                content: buildRoleplayDirectionPrompt({
+                    assistantPersona: activePersona,
+                    userPersona: activeUserPersona,
+                    scenarioPrompt,
+                    sceneSummary
+                })
+            });
+        }
         messagesPayload.push(
             ...conversation.map(m => ({
                 role: m.role === "bot" ? "assistant" : "user",