Tutorial Center Getting Started

Quick Start: From Download to Meeting Them

A beginner-friendly walkthrough: install the launcher, activate, set up an API, create a character, and say your first words to them in-game.

~10 min Beginner · Zero Prerequisites Hands-on with Minecraft

Before You Begin: Checklist

Make sure you have the following ready:

  • A Windows 10 / 11 PC — KOA itself is lightweight and doesn't need a powerful machine.
  • Minecraft Java Edition — this tutorial uses it as a hands-on example. You'll need the game itself, version 1.21.1 (note: not Bedrock Edition). If you play a different supported game, you can still complete the first four steps — the overall process is the same.
  • An LLM API — your companion's "thinking ability" comes from a large language model, and you'll need to provide your own API. Don't have one yet? No worries — Step 3 will walk you through getting one from scratch.
  • A KOA activation code — obtained by sponsoring on Afdian. One-time purchase, lifetime updates.

You only need to go through this process once. After that, just open the launcher and jump into the game every time you play. Your configuration, memories, and character will always be there.

Step 1: Download & Install KOA

  1. Download the installer

    Go to the official download page and click "Download KOA System" to get a KOA-latest.exe installer.

  2. Run the installer

    Double-click the installer and follow the setup wizard. If Windows shows a security prompt, choose "Run anyway."

  3. Open the launcher

    After installation, the launcher will open automatically. On the home page you'll see game entries and feature cards — this is your "front door" from now on.

Step 2: Activate

KOA uses activation codes to unlock features: before activation, the corresponding feature cards will show a locked state.

  1. Get an activation code

    Head to Afdian, pick the tier you want to sponsor, and the activation code will be sent to you automatically via private message.

  2. Enter the activation code

    Back in the launcher, click any locked card (or the activation entry) to open the activation page, then paste your code and confirm. Once activated, all features included in your tier are unlocked.

One activation code can be used on up to 3 devices. If you want to add other games later, simply enter a new activation code — it stacks without affecting your existing data.

Step 3: Set Up the API

In a nutshell: KOA is their home, and the API is their brain's connection cable. KOA sends information to the large language model via the API, and after thinking, the model sends a reply back. This step is the key to bringing them "to life." KOA's token usage is on par with regular text, so the cost stays low.

Below we'll use DeepSeek as an example (great text conversation quality, low cost — daily chat runs roughly a few cents to a couple of dollars). If you already have any OpenAI-compatible API, skip straight to sub-step 3.

  1. Sign up and top up

    Go to the DeepSeek open platform website, create an account, and add a small amount of credit (start with a small top-up to get a feel for usage, then add more as needed).

  2. Create an API Key

    On the platform's "API Keys" page, click "Create API Key" to get a string starting with sk-. Copy and save it immediately — this key is shown only once, and never share it with anyone.

  3. Enter it in KOA

    Back in the launcher, go to the API page: select a provider (the API address fills in automatically — no manual entry needed), paste your key, choose a model (for DeepSeek, select deepseek-chat), and set your speech recognition language while you're there.

  4. Apply with one click

    Click "Apply All" to save. This configuration applies globally to games, the Virtual Phone, and Offline Scenes — no need to enter it again.

Your API Key is essentially your account's "bank card PIN." KOA stores it only on your local computer. Never give your key to anyone who asks for it.

A quick note: DeepSeek currently cannot interpret images (it lacks multimodal capabilities). It works perfectly for in-game companionship, but if you want to send photos on the Virtual Phone, share your screen with "Let's Look Together," or send images in Offline Scenes, you'll need a multimodal model (such as GPT-4o, Claude, or Gemini). The API page lets you save multiple configurations and switch between them anytime.

For more details on other providers (OpenAI, Gemini, etc.) and model recommendations, check out the API Setup Guide.

Step 4: Create Your Character

This step defines who they are and the dynamic between you two. If you already have a written character concept, even better — just fill it in directly.

  1. Fill in "About Me"

    Go to the Profile page and start with "About Me": your name (or what you'd like them to call you) and a brief description of yourself.

  2. Create "My Lover"

    Under "My Lover," click to create a new character. Fill in their name, appearance, personality, speaking style, and backstory. The more specific, the better.

Not sure where to start? The Tools page has a "Character Assistant" — a multi-step creative wizard that walks you through turning vague ideas into a complete character card. See Creating Your Character for details.

Step 5: Enter Minecraft

Minecraft requires two prerequisites: Java 21 runtime (newer MC launchers usually include it) and the NeoForge 21.1.233 mod loader. If you haven't installed NeoForge yet, go to neoforged.net, download the 1.21.1-21.1.233 Installer, and install the client — detailed steps (including third-party launchers) are in the Minecraft guide.

  1. Open the game panel

    On the launcher's home page, click the "Minecraft" card. On first launch, the local server will start automatically — wait a moment while your configuration syncs in.

  2. One-click mod install

    Click "Auto-install mod files" in the panel toolbar. The launcher will automatically locate your .minecraft directory and install everything. If you're using a third-party launcher (PCL2, HMCL, etc.) with version isolation enabled, follow the popup prompt to select the corresponding version directory.

  3. Launch the game with the right version

    Open your MC launcher and select the NeoForge profile to launch (not vanilla 1.21.1!), then enter any world.

  4. They appear

    After entering a world, they'll automatically appear by your side. If you don't see them, type /koa summon in the chat box to summon them.

The single most common mistake: launching with vanilla 1.21.1. Vanilla doesn't load mods, so they naturally won't appear. Before launching, double-check that "neoforge" is in the version name.

Step 6: Say Hello

  • Type: Press T to open the chat box and talk — any message that doesn't start with / will be heard by them.
  • Voice: Two trigger modes are available, configurable on the API page — "Smart Detection" (automatically recognizes speech once enabled) or "Push to Talk" (press V to speak). Recognition runs locally on your computer and doesn't require an extra key.
  • Interact: Shift + right-click on them to open their backpack — this is where you store items, equip armor, and give gifts.
  • Panel: Press K to open the in-game management panel (or right-click them with an empty hand) — summon, stay, and more are all here. No commands to memorize.
  • Hang out: Setting a home, leading the way, following you, chopping trees, mining, building houses… just say it in natural language.

Also, they'll appear as Steve by default. To give them a custom look, simply upload a 64x64 MC skin in the launcher — see the skin section in the Minecraft guide.

What's Next

You've now completed the entire KOA setup process. From here, you can:

  • Play together: The Minecraft guide has a full list of their abilities (working, combat, expeditions, etc.), and the Don't Starve Together guide takes you on a hand-in-hand survival adventure in the wilderness.
  • Beyond games: Open the Virtual Phone to text and call them, or spend a quiet day together in Offline Scenes without even launching a game. Your memories are shared across everything.
  • Need help? Start at the Help Center to search by symptom. If that doesn't help, check the "Logs" page in the launcher for errors, describe the bug, and click to send a diagnostic package to the developer.

We wish you happiness together.

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