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

# Social and emotional state

> Give a verb a temporary mood and let conversations influence it without rewriting its personality.

## What social state is

Social state is a temporary layer on top of the saved personality. It helps
explain why a verb is more talkative, focused, warm, or irritated right now
without changing its permanent instructions, knowledge, or facts.

Open **Dashboard -> Verb -> AI Engine -> Social** to configure it.

## Sliders

Every slider runs from `-5` to `5` in quarter steps (`0.25`). Zero is neutral.

| Slider              | Low end      | High end  |
| ------------------- | ------------ | --------- |
| Willingness to talk | Reserved     | Chatty    |
| Irritation          | Patient      | Irritated |
| Focus               | Distracted   | Locked in |
| Energy              | Tired        | Energetic |
| Confidence          | Unsure       | Confident |
| Affection           | Distant      | Warm      |
| Playfulness         | Serious      | Playful   |
| Curiosity           | Uninterested | Curious   |

You can also add up to `500` characters of context explaining the current
state, such as what happened or who it relates to.

## Manual mode

In manual mode, the values stay where you set them until you change them. Use
this for events, roleplay scenes, or a deliberate support tone.

## Auto mode

In auto mode, Verba can gradually adjust the sliders after conversations on
app chat, Discord, WhatsApp, and Telegram. It considers the recent exchange and
a small set of important long-term memories.

Auto changes are intentionally gradual: a normal update moves a value by no
more than about one point, and updates are rate limited so the mood does not
thrash between messages.

<Warning>
  Social state influences delivery; it does not override saved personality,
  factual knowledge, safety rules, or system instructions.
</Warning>

## How memory and mood work together

Memory stores durable facts. Social state describes the verb's current posture.
For example, a memory may store what happened and the state can record reduced
focus or increased irritation. Auto mode can use high-importance memories as
context, but it does not rewrite those memories.

## Good uses

* Make a usually energetic character temporarily tired.
* Let repeated helpful exchanges build warmth.
* Represent distraction during an ongoing story event.
* Make a support verb more focused during an incident.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Memory and knowledge" icon="database" href="/guides/memory-and-knowledge">
    Decide what should persist and what should remain temporary.
  </Card>

  <Card title="AI engine settings" icon="sliders" href="/guides/ai-engine">
    Tune the model settings that social state works alongside.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>