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

# Create and tune avatar eikons in Herm Studio

> Use Eikon Studio to attach source media, tune rasterizer controls, render avatar states, save local drafts, and activate saved eikons.

Eikon Studio is Herm's editor for local eikon drafts. Use it to attach source media, choose a rasterizer, tune controls, preview states, and save the rendered `.eikon` artifact.

Open it with **Alt+5** and the **Studio** sub-tab, or type `/studio`.

## Layout

Studio has three panes.

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Preview" icon="eye">
    Shows the selected state as terminal art. Mouse drag, scroll, and keyboard controls adjust the view when supported.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Settings" icon="sliders">
    Contains the eikon selector, source attachment, rasterizer picker, contrast, inversion, flip controls, and rasterizer-specific knobs.
  </Card>

  <Card title="States" icon="film">
    Shows the six standard avatar states and lets you select which state to tune.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Create your first eikon

<Steps>
  <Step title="Attach source media">
    Select the source control and choose an image or video. Media decoding uses `ffmpeg`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose a rasterizer">
    Pick `chafa` for `chafa` output or `native` for Herm's built-in renderer. The native renderer still needs `ffmpeg` for source decoding.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Tune the preview">
    Adjust contrast, invert, flip, pan, zoom, and rasterizer knobs until the state reads clearly in the terminal.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Render and save">
    Press `Ctrl+S` to save the `.eikon` artifact and `studio.json` draft state.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Use the saved eikon">
    Press `Ctrl+U` when you want to save and activate the eikon as your current avatar.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Standard states

| State       | Purpose                     |
| ----------- | --------------------------- |
| `idle`      | Waiting                     |
| `listening` | Voice or input capture      |
| `thinking`  | Model planning or reasoning |
| `speaking`  | Response playback           |
| `working`   | Tool execution              |
| `error`     | Failure state               |

You can tune each state independently. State-specific source or knob overrides let one source file drive most states while special states use separate media.

## Studio actions

| Key                 | Action                                                            |
| ------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `Ctrl+S`            | Save the current draft and render states                          |
| `Ctrl+U`            | Save and activate the eikon                                       |
| `u`                 | Submit the current local draft through the configured submit flow |
| `Tab` / `Shift+Tab` | Move focus between panes                                          |
| Arrow keys          | Move selection or adjust the focused control                      |

## Source and runtime files

Studio writes the runtime `.eikon` file and local `studio.json` settings under the active Hermes home. Source media is local authoring data. Other users only need the packaged `.eikon` artifact unless you intentionally publish source media.

## Related docs

* [Eikon overview](/eikon/overview)
* [Gallery](/eikon/gallery)
* [Marketplace](/eikon/marketplace)