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

# SillyTavern

> Connect SillyTavern to Routeway for character-based chat with 200+ models, including inline image generation via Server Tools.

SillyTavern is a popular local frontend for character-based AI chat. It connects to Routeway through the OpenAI-compatible Chat Completions endpoint.

<Note>
  Requires a valid Routeway API key. Get yours from the [dashboard](https://routeway.ai/dashboard/api-keys).
</Note>

***

## Setup

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open SillyTavern API settings">
    Launch SillyTavern and open the **API** connection panel (the plug icon in the top bar).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Chat Completions as the API type">
    Choose **Chat Completions** from the API type dropdown. Then select **OpenAI** as the source.

    <Info>
      If you choose the Chat Completions endpoint, Routeway may automatically appear as an option in some SillyTavern versions.
    </Info>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure the connection">
    Fill in the following:

    * **API URL**: `https://api.routeway.ai/v1`
    * **API Key**: Your Routeway API key
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose a model">
    Set the model to any ID from [routeway.ai/models](https://routeway.ai/models), for example:

    * `gpt-4.1`
    * `claude-sonnet-4.5`
    * `gemini-2.5-flash`

    You can also click **Fetch models** if your SillyTavern version supports it.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start chatting">
    Load a character card and begin your conversation. All requests will be routed through Routeway.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Image Generation with Server Tools

You can generate images **inside SillyTavern chat** using Routeway [Server Tools](/guides/chat-completions/server-tools). Append an image model tag to your text model ID — for example `qwen3.8-max-preview@flux-2-turbo` — then ask the character to draw or show something. The image renders inline in the message:

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/clashai-de6ad0cc/gtgShu-D6oLkkbbt/images/st_img_server_tools.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=gtgShu-D6oLkkbbt&q=85&s=2c81dd447e5ac4093eecb71a4ffd5d8e" alt="SillyTavern chat showing an image generated inline via Routeway Server Tools" width="955" height="831" data-path="images/st_img_server_tools.png" />
</Frame>

### Enable external media

By default, SillyTavern may block external images. To allow Server Tool images to display:

1. Click **User Settings** (the gear icon) on the top menu bar.
2. Find **Forbid External Media** and **disable** it.

Once disabled, generated images from Routeway appear directly in the chat stream.

***

## Tips

* **Streaming** works out of the box — enable it in SillyTavern's settings for real-time token output.
* **Context size** — check the model's max context on the [models page](https://routeway.ai/models) and set SillyTavern's context limit accordingly.
* **Free vs. paid models** — free models have rate limits. If you hit them frequently during RP sessions, consider switching to a paid model.
* **Image generation** — use a `@<image_model>` tagged model and disable **Forbid External Media** so images render inline. See [Server Tools](/guides/chat-completions/server-tools).