Creating a Host

Walk through the host creation steps to build a new AI host with a name, backstory, voice, and personalized settings.

Getting Started#

1. Click Hosts in the sidebar.
2. Click Create New Host in the top right corner.

The setup guides you through seven steps. You can navigate forward and backward between steps at any time.

Step 1: Name#

Enter a name for your host. This appears in scripts, on your podcast website, and everywhere listeners see them.

• Maximum 100 characters
• A character count helper appears below the input as you type

Step 2: Backstory#

Write a backstory that defines your host's personality and speaking style. The more detail you provide about their background, expertise, and communication style, the more realistic they will sound.

• Minimum 10 characters, maximum 3,000 characters
• Use the rich text editor to format with bold, italic, and lists

Enhance Backstory#

Click the Enhance Backstory button (sparkle icon) in the editor toolbar to have AI expand your description with richer detail. Write at least a few sentences first so the AI has material to work with.

Step 3: Photo (Optional)#

Upload an image for your host's profile. Drag and drop or click Select file to browse.

• Accepted formats: JPEG, PNG, GIF, WebP
• Maximum file size: 10 MB
• Square images work best (e.g., 512x512)

Step 4: Reference Materials (Optional)#

Attach up to 10 sources that capture how this host writes or speaks. These could be blog posts, essays, podcasts, or video transcripts. Jellypod uses these to match the host's tone and communication style.

• Click the source buttons to add URLs, upload files, or link other content
• A counter displays how many sources you have added (e.g., "Sources (2/10)")
• Click the remove button on any source to delete it

Step 5: Voice Type#

Choose how you want to create your host's voice:

• Voice Clone: Clone your own voice with a short audio sample
• Voice Library: Select from the professional AI voice library or use Magic Voice Design

Selecting an option automatically advances to the next step.

Step 6: Voice#

Depending on your choice in Step 5:

• Voice Clone: Record or upload audio samples. See Voice Cloning for details.
• Voice Library: Browse and select a voice from the library, or use Magic Voice Design. See Browsing the Voice Library and Magic Voice Design.

Step 7: Settings#

Configure final details under the heading "Almost there...":

• Title: An optional descriptor like "Tech Journalist" or "Industry Expert" (max 100 characters)
• Personality: Describe communication style and personality traits. Click Add Personality to open the editor. Leave blank to auto-generate from uploaded sources.
• Visibility: Control who can view the host's public page:
  • Private: Hidden from everyone
  • Unlisted: Accessible only via direct link
  • Public: Discoverable by anyone
• Host Alias: Create a custom URL slug for the host's public page (3-50 characters, lowercase letters, numbers, and hyphens only). Use Check Availability to verify. Not available for private hosts.
• Social Links: Add links for Instagram, Facebook, Threads, YouTube, X, LinkedIn, Discord, or a personal website.

Additional Settings#

Expand the Additional Settings accordion to access:

• Voice Model: Choose between Horizon (latest, most natural and expressive) and Classic (original model). Horizon is selected by default.

Frequently Asked Questions#

How detailed should my host's backstory be?

The more detailed, the better. Include career history, personality traits, expertise areas, and communication style. You can also use the Enhance Backstory button to have AI expand your description with richer detail.

Can I edit a host after creating them?

Yes. You can edit any host at any time from the Hosts page. Click the three-dot menu and select Edit Host to reopen the editor with all current settings pre-filled.