It was raining that night.
The city smelled like wet asphalt and chai.
My small desk lamp threw a warm circle of light over my keyboard.
Outside, the traffic lights blinked like tired constellations.
I was tired too.
Not just physically. Mentally tired in the way you are after a long week of doing the “right” things but forgetting the simple, quiet ones — like talking, imagining, creating.
I opened my laptop and typed, “I want to try something new.”
I wanted a place to experiment. To play. To build tiny worlds with words. That’s how I found Janitor AI.
If you’re here, you probably want the same: to sign up, dive in, and start chatting or crafting characters. I’ll walk you through every step. Easy. Clear. Real. And I’ll tell you what I learned along the way.
What is Janitor AI — in one short sentence
Janitor AI is a conversational AI platform where you can chat with or create custom characters powered by different language models. It’s creative, personal, and flexible.
Before you begin — what to have ready
A few small things make this smoother:
- A working email address.
- A password you won’t forget.
- (Optional) A Google, Discord, or X/Twitter account if you prefer social sign-in.
- (Optional) An OpenAI API key if you want to use OpenAI’s models via Janitor AI — some features or backends may require it. Many users mention needing an API key for full functionality.
That’s it. Breathe. Let’s make the account.
Step 1 — Visit the Janitor AI website
Open your browser. Go to the Janitor AI homepage.
Look for a button that says Sign Up, Get Started, or Create Account. It’s usually top-right or center. Click it.
Tip: If the site asks for JavaScript, enable it. Janitor AI is web-heavy and works best with modern browsers.
Step 2 — Choose your sign-up method
You’ll usually have two options:
- Email sign-up — enter email, choose a username, and set a password.
- Social sign-in — use Google, Discord, or X (Twitter) to log in quickly. This can be faster and helps avoid extra verification steps.
Pick one. I prefer email for control. But social sign-ins are great when you just want speed.
Step 3 — Email verification (if required)
After registering via email, check your inbox.
Open the verification message. Click the link. That confirms your account. Sometimes the email lands in spam. Check there if you don’t see it. Most guides and tutorials mention this standard step.
Lesson learned: a little patience here saves a lot of tiny frustrations later.
Step 4 — Set up your profile
Once logged in, Janitor AI usually asks you to set up a profile. Choose:
- A display name.
- Optional avatar (you can upload or pick one).
- Short bio or preferences.
These small details help the platform personalize recommendations and character interactions. It’s optional, but it helps.
Step 5 — Understand API keys and model selection
Here’s where things get technical for a second — but it’s important.
Janitor AI is flexible. It can connect to different language model backends. Some features may use:
- OpenAI’s GPT models (which require an OpenAI API key).
- Community or locally hosted models (no OpenAI key needed).
- Other third-party model providers.
If you want the smoothest experience and access to powerful models, you’d typically add an OpenAI API key in your Janitor AI settings. This key links your Janitor AI account to OpenAI so you can use GPT models. Users often discuss obtaining and inserting the key into Janitor AI’s dashboard.
Pro tip: If you’re not comfortable with paying or sharing an API key, Janitor AI also supports community or local model options, though those may be slower or require extra setup.
Step 6 — How to add an OpenAI API key (quick guide)
If you choose to use OpenAI models, do this:
- Go to OpenAI’s website and log in or create an account.
- Navigate to API Keys in your OpenAI account dashboard.
- Click Create new key and copy it.
- In Janitor AI, go to Settings → API / Integrations and paste the key.
- Save. Test by starting a chat with a character that uses OpenAI backend.
A note on costs: OpenAI gives limited free credits for new accounts sometimes, but continued usage can cost money. Keep an eye on usage and limits.
Step 7 — Start browsing characters or create your own
Janitor AI’s charm is its characters. Once your account is ready:
- Browse featured characters.
- Filter by tags (roleplay, storyteller, assistant).
- Click a character to see backstory, personality, and sample prompts.
- Hit Chat to begin.
Or, create your own character:
- Give it a name and role.
- Write a personality description.
- Optionally upload an avatar and set rules for behavior.
- Save and start a conversation.
This is the fun part. Let your imagination play.
Step 8 — Safety, moderation, and settings
Janitor AI has moderation tools and filters. You can often:
- Turn on NSFW filters.
- Control conversation memory.
- Adjust model response length and tone.
- Choose local hosting options for privacy.
If privacy matters to you, look for options to use local models or self-host. Some users opt for local models to keep chats off external servers.
Step 9 — Troubleshooting common issues
If something breaks, try these quick fixes:
- Refresh the page.
- Check your API key for typos.
- Re-login or clear cache.
- Look up server status or community posts (Reddit and Discord often help).
- If nothing works, contact support or check the FAQ.
Community forums are surprisingly helpful. People share fixes and tips for odd bugs — like username field quirks or login problems.
Tips I picked up while signing up (the human stuff)
- Use a strong password. It’s a small step that saves headaches.
- Start with a basic character. Simple beats perfect on day one.
- Play before over-optimizing. The fun is in experimenting.
- Keep an eye on API usage. If you use OpenAI keys, you can burn credits fast.
- Join the community. The Discord and Reddit groups are full of creative prompts and warm help.
When things feel weird – emotional and practical notes
You might feel silly talking to an AI at first. That’s fine.
I felt it too. Strange mix of curiosity and awkwardness. But then the conversation loosened. I laughed. I paused. I wrote better stories.
The tool doesn’t fix things for you. But it gives you space to practice. To try. To fail. To rewrite. That matters.
Final checklist (quick)
- Email or social login ready.
- Email verified.
- Profile set up.
- (Optional) OpenAI API key created and pasted.
- Character created or chosen.
- Moderation and privacy settings checked.
- You saved your password somewhere safe.
A reflective thought about growth and resilience
That rainy night, poking at a new account felt small. But it wasn’t. It was a tiny act of curiosity. A test. A choice to try something unfamiliar.
We build tools to speak. Then, slowly, those tools help us listen — to others and to ourselves. Creating an account on Janitor AI is more than clicking buttons. It’s opening a door to practice. To play. To become braver with words.
Growth doesn’t always roar. Sometimes it signs up quietly, types its name, and presses Start.
