> For clean Markdown of any page, append .md to the page URL.
> For a complete documentation index, see https://developers.synthesia.io/docs/llms.txt.
> For AI client integration (Claude Code, Cursor, etc.), connect to the MCP server at https://developers.synthesia.io/docs/_mcp/server.

# Interactive Avatars

Build real-time, conversational avatar experiences on your own stack. You bring the LLM and speech-to-text; Synthesia renders the avatar, with optional built-in text-to-speech if you don't want to bring your own.

You'll need Python 3.10+ and a Synthesia API key with Interactive Avatar access to get started.

## Get oriented

#### [Concepts](/docs/ia-concepts)

The shared mental model: what runs where, and where your responsibilities begin and end.

#### [Overview](/docs/ia-overview)

How a bring-your-own integration fits together end to end, from your app to the session.

#### [Plugin reference](/docs/ia-livekit-plugin-reference)

Every parameter, method, event, and exception in the livekit-plugins-synthesia package.

#### [Build it with an agent](https://github.com/synthesia-ai/skills)

A Claude Code and Cursor skill that wires up the LiveKit integration for you, automatically.

## [Quickstarts](/docs/interactive-avatar-quickstarts)

Start with the Minimal quickstart.

#### [Minimal quickstart](/docs/interactive-avatar-minimal-quickstart)

The smallest working real-time avatar session. Start here.

Building something more specific?

#### [RAG quickstart](/docs/interactive-avatar-rag-quickstart)

Ground your avatar's responses in your own knowledge base.

#### [Tools quickstart](/docs/interactive-avatar-tools-quickstart)

Give your avatar tools it can call during a live session.

## Or integrate directly

*Not using the Python plugin? You can call the API yourself. You still connect to a LiveKit room, but you mint the token and manage the session instead of the plugin doing it for you.*

#### [Create Interactive Avatar](/docs/api-reference/interactive-avatars/create-interactive-avatar)

POST — Create an interactive avatar you can start sessions with.

#### [Create Interactive Avatar Session](/docs/api-reference/interactive-avatars/create-interactive-avatar-session)

POST — Start a real-time session with an existing avatar.

## Troubleshooting

#### [Errors](/docs/errors)

Error types and codes, and what each one means for your integration.

#### [Operational trust](/docs/ia-operational-trust)

Pricing, limits, known limitations, and production guidance.

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[API updates](https://docs.synthesia.io/changelog) · [Status](https://status.synthesia.io)

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