# Prompt composer

> How to start an Onira production from the Home composer.

Canonical: https://docs.onira.studio/production/prompt-composer
Section: production

The Home composer is the main entrypoint for creating a production. It collects the creative brief, saved characters, and production settings before creating the project.

## Composer controls

The current composer includes:

- Prompt text area.
- Saved-character chip and mention popover.
- Plan review switch.
- Model profile.
- Duration.
- Language.
- Aspect ratio.
- Credit estimate tooltip.
- Submit button.
- Insufficient-credit callout with upgrade link when applicable.

The prompt has a maximum length. The character counter appears when the prompt approaches the limit.

## Prompt structure

A useful prompt usually includes:

- Subject.
- Audience.
- Format.
- Thesis or angle.
- Desired tone.
- Must-include facts.
- Things to avoid.
- Visual style.
- Character requirements.
- Platform constraints.

Example structure:

```text
Create a 3 minute documentary for a finance-curious YouTube audience about
the collapse of a speculative market. Use a restrained investigative tone,
explain the incentive loop clearly, avoid sensational claims, and end with a
clear lesson about risk management.
```

## Saved characters

The character chip lets users attach saved characters from the workspace library. Attached character IDs are sent with the create-project request.

If a selected saved character was deleted in another tab, the composer reconciles against the live cache before submit and drops stale IDs. The confirmation dialog only shows characters that still exist.

## Character mentions

When saved characters are selected, the prompt overlay highlights their names and the mention popover can insert them into the prompt. Treat those mentions as guidance for the production pipeline, not as a separate permissions system.

## Template handoff

Templates can fill the composer prompt. If the composer already contains user text, the template does not overwrite it.

After applying a template, the app removes the template query parameter from the URL so refreshes and later navigation do not repeatedly re-apply the same template.

## Create-project payload

On submit, the composer creates the project with the current workspace and production settings:

- Workspace organization ID.
- Prompt.
- Target duration in seconds.
- Aspect ratio.
- Language.
- Model profile.
- Selected saved-character IDs.
- Blueprint review mode.

The project record is created before the heavy production pipeline work begins. Confirmation is the gate that allows the production to reserve credits and start provider-heavy work.

The composer submits the effective duration allowed by both workspace entitlement and engine qualification. A saved preference above that ceiling can remain in workspace settings, but it is clamped to an available target for estimation and project creation.

## Submission flow

1. Write the prompt.
2. Select saved characters if needed.
3. Choose Plan review behavior.
4. Choose model profile, duration, language, and aspect ratio.
5. Review the credit estimate.
6. Submit.
7. Confirm the final settings in the confirmation dialog.

> Note: 
  Once production starts, provider-heavy work can begin and credits can be reserved. Cancel before confirmation if the prompt or settings are wrong.

## Product and publication boundary

- Onira produces a reviewable MP4; it does not upload or schedule social posts.
- Creators remain responsible for facts, sources, rights, disclosure, policy review, and final publication.
- Research is research-assisted; creator verification is required before publication.
- Onira does not guarantee factual accuracy, legal clearance, monetization, reach, or production success.
- The current Timeline and Studio surfaces support defined review and regeneration workflows, not arbitrary nonlinear editing.