Everything you need to know.
Simple guides to help you get the most out of your time with Haruka.
1. Getting Started
What is Haruka?
Haruka is your personal AI companion, a cheerful, expressive Live2D character who lives right inside your browser. No downloads. No installs. No setup.
Just open the page, and she's already there.
She's powered by advanced language models and rendered in real-time 3D, with expressions that move naturally as you talk. Whether you want to chat, practice Japanese, or just have someone to talk to, Haruka is ready whenever you are.
2. How to Start a Conversation
Getting started takes less than a minute.
Step 1: Open Haruka
Visit the Haruka web app. She'll appear on screen automatically, no login required to start.
Step 2: Choose Your Language
Select EN for English or JP for Japanese using the toggle on screen. You can switch anytime during your conversation.
Step 3: Start Talking
Type your message in the input box at the bottom and press send, or click the microphone icon to talk to her with your voice.
That's it. She'll respond right away.
3. Voice Interaction
Haruka supports real-time voice, you can speak naturally and she'll talk back.
How to Enable Voice
- Click the microphone icon in the chat interface
- Allow microphone access when your browser asks
- Start speaking, Haruka will listen and respond out loud
Tips for Best Results
- Speak clearly and at a natural pace
- Works best in a quiet environment
- If she doesn't respond, try refreshing and allowing mic permission again
4. Choosing Your AI Model
Haruka can be powered by different AI providers: you choose which one fits you best.
Available Providers
| Provider | Notes |
|---|---|
| Local (WebGPU) | Runs entirely on your device: fully private, no API key needed |
| OpenAI (GPT-4o) | Powerful and fast: requires your own API key |
| Anthropic Claude | Thoughtful and nuanced: requires your own API key |
| DeepSeek | Great for detailed conversations: requires your own API key |
| Google Gemini | Versatile and capable: requires your own API key |
| Ollama | Run local models on your own machine |
How to Switch Providers
Open the Settings panel from the menu and select your preferred provider. If the provider requires an API key, paste it in the field provided. Your key is stored locally on your device only, never sent anywhere else.
5. Privacy: How It Works
Your privacy is not an afterthought. It's built into how Haruka works from the ground up.
What happens to your conversations?
When you use Local (WebGPU) mode, everything is processed directly on your device. Your words never leave your browser. No server receives them. No one can read them.
When you use an external provider (like OpenAI or Claude), your messages are sent to that provider's API, the same way any app using those services works. Your API key and conversations are handled according to that provider's own privacy policy.
Does Haruka store my chat history?
Chat history is stored locally in your browser only. Clearing your browser data will clear your history. Nothing is saved on any external server.
Do I need an account?
No account is required to use Haruka. Open the page and start, she's ready immediately.
6. Changing Haruka's Background
You can personalize your experience by choosing a background scene for Haruka's world.
How to Change
Open the Background option from the settings or the scene selector on screen. Pick the environment that feels right for you: each one is inspired by Haruka's lore.
Available Scenes
| Scene | Vibe |
|---|---|
| Sunny Digital Forest | Warm, golden, default: the heart of Haruka's world |
| Morning Glow | Soft pink sunrise light, fresh and peaceful |
| Your Spot | The secret clearing: intimate and quiet |
| Golden Hour | Late afternoon light, nostalgic and warm |
| Night Forest | Stars and bioluminescent glow, calm and dreamy |
| Japanese Classroom | Classic school afternoon, warm and familiar |
| Cherry Blossom Park | Spring in full bloom, joyful and light |
| Cozy Room | A quiet personal space, soft lamp light at night |
7. Language & Japanese Practice
Haruka speaks both English and Japanese, and she loves helping you practice.
Switching Language
Use the EN / JP toggle visible on the main screen. Haruka will respond in whichever language you select.
Practicing Japanese with Haruka
Just start talking in Japanese — or ask her to respond in Japanese while you write in English. She's patient, encouraging, and won't make you feel bad for making mistakes.
Some things you can try:
- "Let's practice Japanese together"
- "Can you correct my Japanese?"
- "Respond only in Japanese please"
- "What does [word] mean in Japanese?"
8. Tips for a Better Experience
A few things that make conversations with Haruka feel more natural:
- Be yourself: she responds better to casual, natural language than formal prompts
- Give her context: the more she knows about what you want, the better she responds
- Try voice mode: talking out loud feels more like a real conversation
- Switch AI models if responses feel slow or generic: different models have different strengths
- Try different backgrounds: the right scene makes the whole experience feel more alive
9. Frequently Asked Questions
Is Haruka free to use?
Yes — you can start chatting immediately with no account and no payment. Some AI providers may require their own API key if you choose to use them.
Does Haruka work on mobile?
Yes. Haruka is accessible on mobile browsers. For the best experience, use Chrome on Android or Safari on iOS. You can also install her as a home screen app (PWA) for quick access.
Why does Haruka sometimes take a moment to respond?
Response speed depends on which AI provider you're using. Local (WebGPU) mode may take a moment to load the first time, after that, responses are fast and fully private.
Can I change how Haruka talks to me?
Yes — you can describe the kind of conversation you want. Try telling her: "Be more casual", "Keep responses short", or "Let's have a deep conversation."
What browsers are supported?
Chrome and Edge are fully supported. Firefox and Safari have partial support — some voice features may not work.
Is my API key safe?
Yes. Your API key is stored only in your browser's local storage. It is never sent to Haruka's servers — only directly to the provider you selected.