Skip to content
SPECIFICTION
Get listed

Serene Pub

serenepub.com

Free plan Open source WebWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidSelf-hosted
Visit serenepub.com
Spec score 8.3 #27 of 46 in AI Roleplay Chatbots

What it is

Serene Pub is an open source app for AI-driven adventures and creative writing. It manages a local AI engine alongside story notes, with memory tools including Lorebooks+, scene summaries, a dated timeline, and a narrative graph. Replies reflect each character’s own knowledge, and relationships can be labeled secret, acknowledged, or public. Listed AI options include OpenAI, Anthropic, Ollama, KoboldCPP, LM Studio, Llama.cpp, and OpenAI-compatible endpoints. A setup wizard can install a local engine, and supported managers can browse and download models. With a local model, the app can work offline; hosted providers require a network connection. The maker says stories are sent only to the chosen reply provider, while other data is stored in a database on hardware the user controls. The database, uploads, and model cache share a user-chosen directory that can be moved or backed up. Shared instances can support private user libraries and synchronized live chat. Serene Pub is free, with no accounts, tiers, or hosted service; hosted AI provider costs may apply. The maker identifies it as beta software and says bugs and rapid changes should be expected.

Spec sheet

What it does
Serene Pub is an open-source application for AI roleplay, creative writing, and shared adventures.Read 21 Oct 2026 · serenepub.com
Privacy
The maker says stories are sent only to the AI provider chosen to generate a reply, while other data lives in a database on hardware the user controls.Read 8 Oct 2026 · serenepub.com
Support
The maker links to documentation, Discord, GitHub discussions, and issue reporting for help and updates.Read 8 Oct 2026 · serenepub.com
License
The repository and application are released under AGPL-3.0.Read 21 Oct 2026 · github.com
Accessibility
Document View provides a high-contrast, keyboard- and screen-reader-oriented interface.Read 21 Oct 2026 · serenepub.com
AI integrations
The documented connection options include OpenAI, Anthropic, Ollama, KoboldCPP, LM Studio, Llama.cpp, llmman, and OpenAI-compatible endpoints.Read 21 Oct 2026 · github.com
AI providers
The product lists OpenAI, Anthropic, Ollama, KoboldCPP, LM Studio, Llama.cpp, and OpenAI-compatible endpoints as options.Read 8 Oct 2026 · serenepub.com
Android limits
Android supports the application but lacks managed local-model downloads and on-device embeddings; remote providers remain available.Read 21 Oct 2026 · serenepub.com
Character perspective
Replies are generated using each character’s known information, with relationships classified as secret, acknowledged, or public.Read 21 Oct 2026 · serenepub.com
Community integrations
The app includes searchable character and persona catalogues, including CharaVault, and supports SillyTavern character-card import and export.Read 8 Oct 2026 · serenepub.com
Community libraries
The app includes searchable first-party and CharaVault character and persona catalogues.Read 21 Oct 2026 · serenepub.com
Data storage
The database, uploads, and model cache are stored under one user-chosen data directory that can be backed up or moved.Read 8 Oct 2026 · serenepub.com
Distribution
Downloads are provided as Windows, macOS, Linux, Android APK, and multi-architecture Docker releases.Read 21 Oct 2026 · serenepub.com
Documentation
Documentation covers setup, connections, characters, personas, lorebooks, embeddings, prompt and context configuration, accessibility, and troubleshooting.Read 21 Oct 2026 · github.com
Extensibility limitation
The project README says text-to-speech was held back because no suitable integration had been found.Read 21 Oct 2026 · github.com
Limit: Android functionality
The same Reddit announcement notes that Android lacks local-model and multi-account support.Read 21 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Limit: beta maturity
The project announcement asks users to expect bugs and rapid changes because the software remains in beta.Read 21 Oct 2026 · github.com
Limit: large group chats
The maker reports that scenes with about eight active characters can produce messier context and weaker response quality than smaller casts.Read 21 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Limit: missing power-user features
The maker’s Reddit announcement says users needing custom workflows, mod support, TTS, attachments, or image rendering may not find those capabilities ready.Read 21 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Local model managers
Built-in managers can download and operate Ollama or KoboldCPP models without terminal commands.Read 21 Oct 2026 · serenepub.com
Local model setup
The setup wizard can install a local AI engine, and the app can browse and download models for supported managers.Read 8 Oct 2026 · serenepub.com
Maker identity
The GitHub owner profile identifies Jody Doolittle as a programmer, web developer, designer, and owner of Chariot Development.Read 21 Oct 2026 · github.com
Maker location
The maker profile lists Colbert, Washington.Read 21 Oct 2026 · github.com
Multiplayer
Self-hosted instances support separate accounts, guest participation, and live WebSocket synchronization.Read 21 Oct 2026 · serenepub.com
Offline operation
With a local model, the application can run without a network connection or cloud account.Read 21 Oct 2026 · serenepub.com
Offline use
With a local model, the app can work without a network connection; hosted AI providers require connectivity.Read 8 Oct 2026 · serenepub.com
Platform limitation
Managed local-model downloads and on-device embeddings are available on desktop and Docker, not Android.Read 8 Oct 2026 · serenepub.com
Praise: ease of setup
A Reddit announcement emphasizes downloading the app, letting it automate the backend and model setup, and reaching a chat before changing advanced settings.Read 21 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Praise: lightweight design
A Reddit commenter said the application felt light and had influenced ideas for another frontend.Read 21 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Privacy model
The maker says stories are sent only to the selected AI provider, while other data remains in a database on user-controlled hardware.Read 21 Oct 2026 · serenepub.com
Public API and SDK
No current public SDK is documented; the roadmap describes a future modding SDK for custom pipelines, server logic, storage, and limited UI components.Read 21 Oct 2026 · github.com
Quality evidence
The maker reports 1,301 tests across 187 files covering prompts, retrieval, migrations, and connection adapters.Read 21 Oct 2026 · serenepub.com
Release status
Version 0.5.2 Beta was released on August 31, 2026, with fixes for Android file picking, Docker embeddings, imports, and browser launch.Read 21 Oct 2026 · serenepub.com
Repository activity
The public repository showed 194 stars, 13 forks, and 39 open issues when opened.Read 21 Oct 2026 · github.com
Retrieval memory
Long-term memory uses retrieval-augmented generation with local embeddings or an OpenAI-compatible embeddings endpoint.Read 21 Oct 2026 · github.com
Setup wizard
A seven-step wizard can configure an AI connection, install supported local engines, and create a first character, persona, and chat.Read 21 Oct 2026 · serenepub.com
SillyTavern compatibility
It imports and exports SillyTavern cards and can migrate characters, personas, chats, and lorebooks from a local SillyTavern directory.Read 21 Oct 2026 · github.com
Storage
Database files, uploads, and model caches can be kept under one configurable SERENE_PUB_DATA_DIR for backup or migration.Read 21 Oct 2026 · github.com
Story memory
Lorebooks+, scene summaries, a dated history timeline, and a narrative graph help maintain structured story memory.Read 8 Oct 2026 · serenepub.com
Structured memory
Lorebooks+, scene summaries, dated history, and a narrative graph maintain persistent story information.Read 21 Oct 2026 · serenepub.com
Support channels
The project directs users to GitHub issues, discussions, Discord, and its documentation.Read 21 Oct 2026 · serenepub.com
System requirements
Building from source requires Node.js 24 or later, with Ollama optional for local models.Read 21 Oct 2026 · github.com
Themes
The product ships with 27 themes and includes an editor for creating, importing, and sharing themes.Read 21 Oct 2026 · serenepub.com

Plans and prices

Free Free No accounts, tiers, or hosted service fees Local or self-hosted use · hosted AI-provider charges may apply Read 21 Oct 2026 · serenepub.com

Every Serene Pub plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Character replies use each character’s own knowledge
  • Story memory includes timeline and narrative graph
  • Local model supports offline use
  • Data uses a user-chosen directory
  • Imports and exports SillyTavern character cards

Limits

  • Managed local-model downloads are unavailable on Android
  • On-device embeddings are unavailable on Android
  • Beta status means bugs and rapid changes

Who it suits

It suits writers who want AI-assisted story development with character-specific perspectives and structured story memory. Users who want local control can use a local model, while shared instances can support separate private libraries.

Verdict

Serene Pub brings character-aware AI replies together with structured story memory and user-controlled data storage. Android users should note the desktop and Docker limitation for managed model downloads and on-device embeddings; hosted provider costs may also apply.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to Serene PubAll alternatives →