KoboldAI to Backyard AI Character Conversion

The transition from **KoboldAI** to **Backyard AI** (formerly Faraday) represents a shift from a backend-focused storage model to a sophisticated local roleplay application. KoboldAI's JSON format is primarily designed to save the state of a model's context, whereas Backyard AI's schema is optimized for managing a persistent library of characters with diverse behavioral instructions.

1. Semantic Field Normalization

KoboldAI JSON files typically use a flat structure with fields like description, scenario, and first_mes. Backyard AI thrives when these fields are precisely defined to drive its model orchestration engine. Our converter performs a "Semantic Alignment" of these fields, ensuring that the behavioral instructions intended for your Kobold characters are correctly mapped to Backyard's internal personality and description blocks, preventing the character from "drifting" during narrative-heavy scenes.

2. World Info and Lore Persistence

One of the most complex aspects of KoboldAI characters is their reliance on "World Info" (WI) entries. Backyard AI handles character knowledge through a distinct memory system. While our converter focuses on the core character persona, we ensure that the character's most vital world-building elements are preserved within the scenario and description fields of the new JSON, ensuring that the transition to Backyard's more robust narrative tools is seamless.

3. Dialogue and Greeting Migration

Backyard AI utilizes a specific dialogue format to maintain immersion. We map the Kobold first_mes directly to the Backyard first_mes field, while ensuring that mes_example is wrapped in the standard {{char}}: "..." pattern. This normalization is critical because different model frontends interpret dialogue cues differently. By standardizing the output, we ensure that your character speaks with the same personality and tone you originally crafted, regardless of the model you select in Backyard.

4. Privacy and Data Security

Because character development often involves personal creative effort, we prioritize security. Our tool utilizes a "Zero-Server" architecture, where all JSON processing is handled by your browser's local JavaScript. Your character files are never transmitted to our server, cached, or seen by any third party. This ensures that you maintain full ownership and control over your creative digital assets as you move them between platforms.

5. Identity Integrity and Metadata

When you export to Backyard AI, our tool generates all necessary metadata, including versioning and basic tags based on the character's description. This ensures that your character is not just a raw text file, but a "Ready-to-Play" digital asset that integrates perfectly with Backyard AI's library management and model orchestration features.