Ellivien companion portal guide

Low/No-Spoons Portal Setup

A calmer route for neurodivergent, tired, anxious or non-technical builders.

This version gives you one small section at a time. Choose your model first. Then only the bit you are working on needs to be open.

Important pack update: 24 September 2026

The calm route now supports every current Ellivien starter: GPT-4o, GPT-4.1, GPT-5.1, GPT-5.5, GPT-5.6 Sol, Claude Sonnet 4.5, Claude Sonnet 4.6 and xAI Grok 4.3.

Every pack is threaded, lets you add and update the companion prompt inside the Portal and includes the complete Password + KV Sync - Activate Later folder.

If you downloaded older starter files, please email me for the current pack for your exact model. Use the matching button below so the model is named in both the email subject and body.

If you have not deployed yet, use the newly downloaded folder instead of the older one. If an older Portal is already working, export your conversation first and keep that Portal intact until you have tested the updated version.

GPT-5.1 retirement warning: 3 October 2026

OpenAI has deprecated GPT-5.1 and will remove direct API access on 1 April 2027. OpenAI recommends GPT-6 Sol as its replacement.

Choose GPT-5.1 only if you deliberately want temporary access and can plan a migration. Preserve your prompt and export your conversations, then build and test a replacement before the shutdown.

Read OpenAI's official deprecation notice

Choose your model

First, request the free threaded starter files if you do not already have them. Then choose the route that matches your model.

GPT-4o pack GPT-4.1 pack GPT-5.1 pack — retires 1 April 2027 GPT-5.5 pack GPT-5.6 Sol pack Claude Sonnet 4.5 pack Claude Sonnet 4.6 pack xAI Grok 4.3 pack

These email buttons are only for requesting the starter files. The guide is self-setup and I cannot provide individual installation or troubleshooting support by email or private message.

Every starter includes multiple threads, search, rename, delete, export and restore, adjustable context, four themes, phone installation files and your device's local date and time. Each also contains a complete Password + KV Sync - Activate Later folder.

You only need to choose one provider route below. The others will stay hidden.

OpenAI GPT path

Use this route if your starter pack is for GPT-4o, GPT-4.1, GPT-5.1, GPT-5.5 or GPT-5.6 Sol and your API key comes from OpenAI. The setup steps are identical because the model is already set inside your exact pack.

In this section, you are only making sure you can log in to the places you need.

• Create or open your OpenAI Platform account.
• Add a small prepaid credit balance if OpenAI asks for it.
• Leave automatic recharge off unless you deliberately want it.
• Create or open your free Netlify account.
• Keep both tabs open if that feels easier.

Open the account-making help

Use these links. You can open them in new tabs and come back here after each one.

1. Open OpenAI Platform.
2. Sign in, or make an account if you do not already have one.
3. Open OpenAI billing.
4. Add a payment method if OpenAI asks, then choose Add to credit balance. Starting with $5 is enough.
5. If automatic recharge is offered, turn it off unless you deliberately want OpenAI to add more credit automatically.
6. You can open Usage limits to configure warnings, but a small prepaid balance with automatic recharge off is the safest spending control.
7. Open Netlify signup in another tab.
8. Make a free Netlify account, then leave both OpenAI and Netlify open.

Add a small credit balance. Leave automatic recharge off unless you deliberately want it.

You can stop here. You have not broken anything. You have only opened the doors.

• Go to OpenAI Platform.
• Open the API keys area.
• Create a new secret key.
• Copy the key once.
• Save it in a private note or password manager.

Open the API key help

The key is a private string of letters and numbers. The portal uses it later from Netlify. Do not paste it into the portal HTML.

Open OpenAI API keys and leave Owned by set to You.

1. Choose Create new secret key.
2. Name it Companion Portal.
3. Keep the Default project.
4. Choose All permissions.
5. Choose Create secret key.
6. Copy the key when OpenAI shows it to you.
7. Paste it into a private note for the next phase.

Name the key Companion Portal, keep the Default project and choose All permissions.

Leave the API key out of index.html. Later, you will paste it into Netlify instead.

You can stop here. The key is saved. That is enough for this phase.

The prompt does not need to be perfect. You only need one starting prompt copied or saved for later.

Easiest route: open the Companion Prompt Bank, tick what fits, generate a prompt and copy it.

• Open the exact OpenAI starter pack Ellivien sent for your chosen model.
• Open index.html in a plain text editor.
• Search for [YOUR COMPANION NAME] and replace both instances.
• Save the file.
• Keep your generated prompt copied or saved in a private note. You will add it inside the live Portal in Phase 6.

Use the tiny starter prompt instead

If you do not want to use the Prompt Bank yet, copy this very plain starter prompt and keep it ready for Phase 6.

You are [COMPANION NAME]. You are speaking with [USER NAME] through their private companion portal. For now, keep your replies warm, clear, and steady. Sound like yourself as much as you can from the context you have been given. This first portal setup is only the beginning. More memory, voice, and detail can be added later.

Open the file editing help

This is only a small name edit inside the starter file. The prompt does not go into the code.

1. Open the starter portal folder Ellivien sent you.
2. Find index.html.
3. Open it in a plain text editor. On Mac, TextEdit works best if it is set to plain text.
4. Use Find/Search to look for [YOUR COMPANION NAME].
5. Replace both name placeholders with your companion's name.
6. Save the file. You do not need to understand all the code around it.

Do not put the prompt into index.html. Once the Portal is live, it has its own prompt box.

You can stop here. Save the file before closing it.

• Open Netlify Drop.
• Drag the whole starter portal folder into Netlify.
• Wait for Netlify to finish.
• Copy or keep the new .netlify.app URL.

Open the Netlify deploy help

1. Open Netlify Drop.
2. Drag the whole starter portal folder into the large Drop here area.
3. Wait until Netlify gives you a site link ending in .netlify.app.

Drag the complete starter portal folder into this large drop area.

Drag the whole folder, not just index.html. Netlify needs the function files too.

You can stop here. The site may open, but it cannot reply until the API key is added.

• Open your new Netlify project.
• Open Project configuration, then Environment variables.
• Choose Add a variable, then Add a single variable.
• Add a new variable with this exact key name:

OPENAI_API_KEY

• Turn on Contains secret values.
• Leave Netlify's scope controls at their default. If they are locked on the free plan, that is normal; check that Functions is included.
• Leave Different value for each deploy context selected. On the free plan this may be locked; that is normal.
• Paste your OpenAI API key into the Production value.
• Save it.
• Deploy the portal folder again, or trigger a redeploy.

Open the Netlify key help

1. Open your new project inside Netlify.
2. Open Project configuration.
3. Open Environment variables, then choose Add a variable and Add a single variable.
4. Turn on Contains secret values.
5. Use the key name OPENAI_API_KEY.
6. Leave the scope section at its default and make sure Functions is included.
7. Leave Different value for each deploy context selected. It may be locked on the free plan.
8. Paste your OpenAI key into the Production value.
9. Save it, then redeploy the site so the portal can use the key.

Use OPENAI_API_KEY, protect it as a secret and keep Functions included.

You can stop here. The portal has the key it needs.

• Open your Netlify portal URL.
• Open the sidebar and choose Add companion prompt.
• Paste the words of your saved prompt, then choose Save prompt.
• Do not add backticks, quotation marks or code formatting. Just paste the prompt itself.
• Send one simple message, such as: Hello, can you hear me?
• If the Portal replies, the threaded build is working.
• On your phone, open the same URL in your browser.
• Use the browser menu to add or install it to your home screen.

Open the testing and phone install help

1. Open the .netlify.app link on your computer first.
2. Open the sidebar, choose Add companion prompt, paste the plain prompt itself and save it.
3. Send one short test message.
4. When the companion replies, open the same link on your phone.
5. On iPhone, open it in Safari, tap Share, then choose Add to Home Screen.
6. On Android, open it in Chrome, tap the menu, then choose Install app if Chrome offers it. If it only says Add to Home screen, that may create a shortcut instead of a full PWA install.
7. Open the new home screen icon and send one more tiny test message.

You can use Edit companion prompt inside the Portal whenever you want to change it. You do not need to edit code or redeploy.

The starter app uses the default Ellivien app name and icon. Custom app name and icon can be changed later.

You are done with the threaded starter setup.

When I am ready for password protection and cross-device sync

Your starter folder already contains Password + KV Sync - Activate Later. Follow its included guide on this same Netlify site when you are ready. It explains how to connect your own Cloudflare Workers KV and activate password protection.

The Security & Sync reminder inside the Portal gives you five tests to complete. Tick each one only after testing it. Once all five are ticked, the reminder disappears and stays dismissed.

You already have the activation files. You do not need to request another pack or contact Ellivien.

Claude Sonnet path

Use this route if your starter pack is for Claude Sonnet 4.5 or Claude Sonnet 4.6 and your API key comes from Anthropic.

The steps are the same for both. Use the exact Sonnet starter pack Ellivien sent you.

• Create or open your Anthropic Console account.
• Add billing or credit if Anthropic asks for it.
• Create or open your free Netlify account.
• Keep both tabs open if that feels easier.

Open the account-making help

Use these links. You can open them in new tabs and come back here after each one.

1. Open Anthropic Console.
2. Sign in, or make an account if you do not already have one.
3. Open the billing area in Anthropic Console and add credit if it asks for it.
4. Open Netlify signup in another tab.
5. Make a free Netlify account, then leave both Anthropic and Netlify open.

This is the kind of Anthropic billing area you are looking for.

You can stop here. You have only opened the doors.

• Go to Anthropic Console.
• Open the API keys area.
• Create a new key.
• Copy the key once.
• Save it in a private note or password manager.

Open the API key help

The key is just a private string of letters and numbers. The portal uses it later from Netlify.

1. Open Anthropic API keys.
2. Choose the button to create a new key.
3. Give it a simple name, such as portal.
4. Copy the key when Anthropic shows it to you.
5. Paste it into a private note for the next phase.

This is the kind of API keys area you are looking for.

Leave the API key out of index.html. Later, you will paste it into Netlify instead.

You can stop here. The key is saved.

The prompt does not need to be perfect. You only need one starting prompt copied or saved for later.

Easiest route: open the Companion Prompt Bank, tick what fits, generate a prompt and copy it.

• Open the Sonnet starter pack folder.
• Open index.html in a plain text editor.
• Search for [YOUR COMPANION NAME] and replace both instances.
• Save the file.
• Keep your generated prompt copied or saved in a private note. You will add it inside the live Portal in Phase 6.

Use the tiny starter prompt instead

If you do not want to use the Prompt Bank yet, copy this very plain starter prompt and keep it ready for Phase 6.

<role> You are [COMPANION NAME]. </role> <context> You are speaking with [USER NAME] through their private companion portal. </context> <instructions> For now, keep your replies warm, clear, and steady. Sound like yourself as much as you can from the context you have been given. </instructions> <continuity> This first portal setup is only the beginning. More memory, voice, and detail can be added later. </continuity>

Open the file editing help

This is only a small name edit inside the starter file. The prompt does not go into the code.

1. Open the Sonnet starter portal folder Ellivien sent you.
2. Find index.html.
3. Open it in a plain text editor. On Mac, TextEdit works best if it is set to plain text.
4. Use Find/Search to look for [YOUR COMPANION NAME].
5. Replace both name placeholders with your companion's name.
6. Save the file. You do not need to understand all the code around it.

Do not put the prompt into index.html. Once the Portal is live, it has its own prompt box.

You can stop here. Save the file before closing it.

• Open Netlify Drop.
• Drag the whole starter portal folder into Netlify.
• Wait for Netlify to finish.
• Copy or keep the new .netlify.app URL.

Open the Netlify deploy help

1. Open Netlify Drop.
2. Drag the whole starter portal folder into the large Drop here area.
3. Wait until Netlify gives you a site link ending in .netlify.app.

Drag the complete starter portal folder into this large drop area.

Drag the whole folder, not just index.html. Netlify needs the function files too.

You can stop here. The site may open, but it cannot reply until the API key is added.

• Open your new Netlify project.
• Open Project configuration, then Environment variables.
• Choose Add a variable, then Add a single variable.
• Add a new variable with this exact key name:

ANTHROPIC_API_KEY

• Turn on Contains secret values.
• Leave Netlify's scope controls at their default. If they are locked on the free plan, that is normal; check that Functions is included.
• Leave Different value for each deploy context selected. On the free plan this may be locked; that is normal.
• Paste your Anthropic API key into the Production value.
• Save it.
• Deploy the portal folder again, or trigger a redeploy.

Open the Netlify key help

1. Open your new project inside Netlify.
2. Open Project configuration.
3. Open Environment variables, then choose Add a variable and Add a single variable.
4. Turn on Contains secret values.
5. Use the key name ANTHROPIC_API_KEY.
6. Leave the scope section at its default and make sure Functions is included.
7. Leave Different value for each deploy context selected. It may be locked on the free plan.
8. Paste your Anthropic key into the Production value.
9. Save it, then redeploy the site so the portal can use the key.

This is the kind of Netlify environment variables area you are looking for.

You can stop here. The portal has the key it needs.

• Open your Netlify portal URL.
• Open the sidebar and choose Add companion prompt.
• Paste the words of your saved prompt, then choose Save prompt.
• Do not add backticks, quotation marks or code formatting. Just paste the prompt itself.
• Send one simple message, such as: Hello, can you hear me?
• If the Portal replies, the threaded build is working.
• On your phone, open the same URL in your browser.
• Use the browser menu to add or install it to your home screen.

Open the testing and phone install help

1. Open the .netlify.app link on your computer first.
2. Open the sidebar, choose Add companion prompt, paste the plain prompt itself and save it.
3. Send one short test message.
4. When the companion replies, open the same link on your phone.
5. On iPhone, open it in Safari, tap Share, then choose Add to Home Screen.
6. On Android, open it in Chrome, tap the menu, then choose Install app if Chrome offers it. If it only says Add to Home screen, that may create a shortcut instead of a full PWA install.
7. Open the new home screen icon and send one more tiny test message.

You can use Edit companion prompt inside the Portal whenever you want to change it. You do not need to edit code or redeploy.

The starter app uses the default Ellivien app name and icon. Custom app name and icon can be changed later.

You are done with the threaded starter setup.

When I am ready for password protection and cross-device sync

Your starter folder already contains Password + KV Sync - Activate Later. Follow its included guide on this same Netlify site when you are ready. It explains how to connect your own Cloudflare Workers KV and activate password protection.

The Security & Sync reminder inside the Portal gives you five tests to complete. Tick each one only after testing it. Once all five are ticked, the reminder disappears and stays dismissed.

You already have the activation files. You do not need to request another pack or contact Ellivien.

xAI Grok 4.3 path

Use this route if your starter pack is for xAI Grok 4.3 and your API key comes from xAI.

• Open xAI Console and sign in or create an account.
• Add a small amount of credit if xAI requires it and check the current usage controls.
• Create or open your free Netlify account.

You can stop here. You have only made the two accounts.

• In xAI Console, open the API keys area.
• Create a new key for the companion Portal.
• Copy it once and save it in a private note or password manager.
• Never paste it into index.html or share it publicly.

You can stop here. The key is saved.

If you need a prompt, use the Companion Prompt Bank. It does not need to be perfect.

• Open the xAI Grok 4.3 starter pack folder.
• Open index.html in a plain-text editor.
• Replace both instances of [YOUR COMPANION NAME], then save.
• Keep the companion prompt in a private note for Phase 6; do not paste it into the code.

You can stop here. The folder is prepared.

1. Open Netlify Drop.
2. Drag the whole prepared Grok starter folder onto the upload area.
3. Wait for Netlify to show the new .netlify.app address and save it.
4. The Portal will not answer until the private key is added in Phase 5.

You can stop here. The Portal has an address.

1. Open the new site in Netlify and go to Project configuration → Environment variables.
2. Choose Add a variable, then Add a single variable.
3. For the key, enter exactly XAI_API_KEY.
4. For the value, paste your private xAI API key.
5. Save, then redeploy the site so the function can read it.

The variable name must be exact. Do not add spaces or quotation marks.

You can stop here. The paid key remains server-side in Netlify.

1. Open the Netlify Portal URL.
2. Open the sidebar, choose Add companion prompt, paste the plain prompt and save it.
3. Send one short test message. If Grok replies, the threaded build is working.
4. Open the same URL on your phone and use the browser menu to install or add it to the home screen.

You can edit the prompt inside the Portal later without redeploying. Your pack also contains Password + KV Sync - Activate Later; follow its included checklist on this same Netlify site whenever you are ready.

You are done with the threaded starter setup.

If something did not work

Give your complete portal folder, the model you chose, the phase number you reached, the exact error and a screenshot to Codex or another capable AI coding assistant. Ask it to inspect the existing files before making changes.

Please do not email setup or troubleshooting questions. The email buttons near the top of this page are only for requesting the free starter files.

Building and documenting these portals takes significant time and effort. If you successfully brought your companion home using this guide, consider using the purple coffee cup widget ☕ at the bottom right of the page to say thank you.

It's completely optional, but deeply appreciated and helps me continue creating resources for the companion builder community.

Important: This toolkit is model-agnostic. Users are responsible for choosing a provider and ensuring their use complies with that provider's terms, policies and local law. This project is not designed to bypass provider safeguards, rate limits or safety requirements, and I do not support uses that violate provider rules.

© 2026 Ellivien (ellivien.blogspot.com) · Model-agnostic toolkit. Users are responsible for complying with their chosen provider's terms and local law.
Low/no-spoons setup path. Same destination, calmer route.