> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://stir-vid.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Character Swap (video)

> Motion-controlled video generation with a chosen character.

Character Swap takes a source video and re-renders it so that a chosen character performs the same motion. It runs on our motion engine.

## Modes

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="std" icon="gauge">
    Standard mode. Faster turnaround. Good default for previews and social clips.
  </Card>

  <Card title="pro" icon="gem">
    Pro mode. Higher fidelity motion, cleaner edges, slower render. Use for final output.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Prompt guidance

Motion is inherited from the source video. The prompt controls **style, framing, and character intent**, not motion.

* Keep prompts short and concrete: subject, wardrobe, lighting.
* Avoid instructions about camera moves; those come from the source clip.
* Do not describe actions already present in the source video.

## Character eligibility

Only characters marked **public and platform-ready** are selectable for video swap. Private or draft characters must be validated first via `POST /v1/characters/{id}/validate`.

## Sound

You can retain the original audio track or produce a silent output. Audio passes through untouched when retained.

<Note>
  For still images (portraits, thumbnails, marketing crops), use [Image Swap](/features/image-swap) instead.
</Note>