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

# Understanding AI Personas

> Configure the AI character your participants interact with.

The persona defines who the AI pretends to be during a conversation. A well-crafted persona makes sessions feel realistic and engaging.

## Editing a Persona

Click the persona avatar or name on the scenario detail page to open the persona editor.

## Persona Properties

| Property   | Description              | Example                                       |
| ---------- | ------------------------ | --------------------------------------------- |
| Name       | Character's display name | "Sarah Chen"                                  |
| Job Title  | Their professional role  | "VP of Engineering"                           |
| Demeanor   | Communication style      | Friendly, Professional, Challenging           |
| Industry   | Domain context           | "Enterprise SaaS", "Healthcare"               |
| Background | Backstory and context    | "15 years in B2B sales, recently promoted..." |
| Avatar     | Visual representation    | Uploaded image or AI-generated                |

## Demeanor Options

The demeanor setting significantly affects how the AI communicates:

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Friendly">
    Warm, encouraging, conversational. Good for onboarding, coaching, and low-pressure practice sessions. The AI is supportive and provides positive reinforcement.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Professional">
    Neutral, businesslike, efficient. Good for realistic interview and sales scenarios. The AI maintains appropriate boundaries and stays on topic.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Challenging">
    Pushes back, asks tough follow-ups, plays devil's advocate. Good for advanced training where participants need to handle pressure. The AI creates realistic friction.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Tips for Effective Personas

<Note>
  Participants see the persona's name and avatar. They don't see the demeanor setting, background, or instructions. Design the visible elements to set appropriate expectations.
</Note>

* **Match the persona to the scenario goal.** A sales training scenario should have a persona that acts like a real buyer, not a helpful assistant.
* **Add specific background details.** "Enterprise buyer with 3 failed vendor implementations" produces more realistic pushback than "buyer."
* **Use the demeanor setting intentionally.** Start with Professional for most cases. Use Challenging only when participants need pressure training.
* **Keep names and titles realistic.** Generic names like "AI Interviewer" break immersion.