SillyTavern x MegaNova AI: Setup Free & Private API for Roleplay in 5 Minutes

If you’re looking for a fast, private, and 100% free way to enjoy AI roleplay, pairing SillyTavern with MegaNova AI is one of the best setups available. With MegaNova’s free-tier Manta models and SillyTavern’s customizable chat interface, you can dive straight into immersive conversations without worrying about latency, privacy, or cost.

This guide walks you through the setup in just a few minutes.

What is SillyTavern?

SillyTavern is a locally installed AI chat interface that lets you create and interact with custom AI characters, right on your own device. Developed by Cohee and RossAscends as a refined fork of TavernAI 1.2.8, it’s now a popular choice among AI roleplay enthusiasts and hobbyists.

Key Features:

• Create & Chat with AI Characters: Design unique personalities or import presets and have dynamic conversations.
• Highly Customizable UI: Tailor backgrounds, chat layouts, character behavior, and more.
• Multi-Character Support: Chat with multiple AI characters in group chats simultaneously.
• Broad Model Compatibility: Works with various LLM APIs including DeepSeek, Claude, OpenAI, and open-source models: or even your locally-hosted model.
• Fully Local & Private: Since it runs locally without user tracking, your conversations stay private and secure.

SillyTavern powers immersive, creative interactions with AI — and now, connecting it to MegaNova’s free API takes the experience to the next level, delivering fast, private, Manta-backed roleplay with zero setup headaches.

How to Setup

Step 1 — Install SillyTavern

Download and install SillyTavern following the instructions here: https://docs.sillytavern.app/installation/

Step 2 — Open the API Configuration

In the top menu bar, click Configure to open the API settings panel. You’ll see options for different backends.

• Under Chat Completion Source, select Custom (OpenAI-compatible).
• In Custom Endpoint (Base URL), enter:

https://inference.meganova.ai/v1

• Leave /v1 at the end — SillyTavern will append /chat/completions automatically.

Step 3 — Get Your Free MegaNova API Key

1. Navigate to API Key.
2. Copy your key (starts with sk-) and paste it into Custom API Key in SillyTavern.

Step 4 — Choose a Free Model

MegaNova offers some completely free roleplay-ready models:

• Manta-Mini-1.0
• Nevoria-70B
• Mistral-Small-24B
• DeepSeek models (R1 / V3-0324 / R1-0528)

In the Enter a Model ID field, paste your chosen model exactly as listed in MegaNova's serverless models:

Note: Free Manta & DeepSeek models require payment card verification for access—no charging needed.

Step 5 — Connect and Start Roleplaying

• Once the status shows Valid (green dot), you’re ready to go.
• Click Connect in SillyTavern.

All messages are processed privately through MegaNova’s infrastructure, with no third-party logging — your roleplay stays yours.

Why Use MegaNova with SillyTavern?

Choosing MegaNova AI for your roleplay needs offers several advantages:

1. Powerful Models: Access high-performance AI models, including free options like Manta-Mini, Manta-Flash, and Mistral-Small, all optimized for engaging roleplay scenarios.
2. Scalability: Easily switch between models or adjust configurations to meet your creative needs, whether for simple or complex narratives.
3. Cost-Effective: With various free models available, MegaNova allows you to explore AI roleplay without financial constraints, making it ideal for hobbyists.
4. Community Support: Engage with a vibrant community that shares tips and experiences, enhancing your usage of the platform.
5. Privacy and Security: MegaNova prioritizes user data protection, ensuring that your roleplaying remains private and secure.

By leveraging these benefits, you can create compelling, immersive AI-driven roleplay experiences with ease.

Conclusion

Combining SillyTavern with MegaNova AI provides an exciting and customizable platform for AI roleplay enthusiasts. By following these steps, you can effortlessly set up your environment for engaging storytelling sessions, choosing from a range of powerful models while enjoying a free, private AI experience.

Whether you’re a seasoned roleplayer or just starting, this setup opens the door to endless narrative possibilities.

Happy roleplaying!

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