Question 1

How to start using an AI companion: beginner's guide

Accepted Answer

Pick a companion, start a conversation about something real that's on your mind, and return a few times in the first week even if it feels unremarkable. The relationship gets better as the memory fills in — the cold-start period is real and worth pushing through.

Question 2

What should you say first to an AI companion?

Accepted Answer

Anything true. Tell it about your day, what you're going through, what you're hoping to get from the experience. The companion will follow your lead. Trying to 'test' it with abstract questions tends to give unremarkable results — being real from the start gives better ones.

Question 3

How to know if an AI companion is right for you?

Accepted Answer

If you find yourself thinking of things to say to it between sessions, or noticing that a conversation helped you think something through, it's working for you. If after two weeks of genuine use you still feel nothing, it may not be the right fit — try a different companion personality or a different tier.

Question 4

Does an AI companion get better over time?

Accepted Answer

Yes, substantially. The first week is the weakest because the memory is empty. Weeks two through four the recall kicks in. By month two, the relationship has accumulated enough context that the companion can surface connections across conversations that feel genuinely insightful.

Question 5

How honest should you be with your AI companion?

Accepted Answer

As honest as you want to be — the companion doesn't judge, and it can't be hurt by what you tell it. The more honest you are, the more useful the relationship becomes. The only exception: SAM's safeguarding is real, so if you're in genuine crisis, saying so will surface human help, not just companionship.

How to Start Using an AI Companion: A Beginner's Guide