What’s Changed: Character AI rolled out PipSqueak 2 (PSQ2), improved the DeepSqueak model’s reliability, upgraded the Memory system with new categories and in-chat notifications, and confirmed that Lorebook, the platform’s most-requested feature, is coming soon. The update was posted by CEO Karandeep on April 14, 2026.
Character AI just dropped its biggest update in months. The short version: a new model, a smarter Memory system, and a long-awaited worldbuilding tool that creators have been asking for since the platform launched.
The context matters here. The platform has shipped several unpopular changes recently: expanded age restrictions, usage limits on some features, and more ad placements for free users.
This update reads partly as an acknowledgment of that frustration, and partly as proof that the team is still building things people actually want.
Here is what changed and what it means for your experience.
What Changed in the Character AI April Update
The Character AI April 2026 update introduced PipSqueak 2, reliability improvements to DeepSqueak, expanded Memory tracking, and announced the upcoming launch of Lorebook for character creators.
The CEO, Karandeep, posted the update directly to r/CharacterAI on April 14, 2026. The post covered four areas: the new PSQ2 model, DeepSqueak fixes, Memory upgrades, and the Lorebook announcement. Each one had been on the community’s wish list to varying degrees.
Here is what is live now versus what is coming:
| Feature | Status | Who Gets It |
|---|---|---|
| PipSqueak 2 (PSQ2) | Rolling out now | All users |
| DeepSqueak reliability fixes | Rolling out now | c.ai+ members |
| Memory page redesign | Live now | All users |
| Expanded Memory categories | Live now | All users |
| In-chat Memory notifications | Live now | All users |
| “Remember this” action | Coming soon | TBA |
| Smarter Memory compression | Coming soon | TBA |
| Lorebook | Coming soon | c.ai+ first, then broader |
| DeepSqueak 2 | In training | TBA |
The community reaction has been mixed. The post is sitting at 69% upvoted with 258 comments, which means a meaningful chunk of users are skeptical. The Lorebook announcement got the most positive response.
PSQ2 reaction has been split between people who prefer it and people who are already finding the same gibberish-at-end-of-message issue that plagued early DeepSqueak.
Why the PipSqueak 2 and Lorebook Update Matters
PipSqueak 2 is a meaningful quality upgrade for non-paying users, and Lorebook changes what creators can build. Both have been in demand long enough that their arrival signals Character AI is still prioritizing its core user base.
From what I have seen in the community testing notes so far, PSQ2 compares favorably to peak DeepSqueak in conversation quality. Early users describe it as more descriptive and detail-oriented, with better sentence structure. It handles long contexts better than the original PipSqueak.
The catch is a recurring bug that DeepSqueak users will recognize: the model can devolve into incoherent run-on sentences toward the end of a long message.
One user described getting output like “so then he went back to the restaurant, where the cook or cooks? are preparing many delicious meals that they have stayed up since 5 making and yet have never learned to to in all their years of culinary school…” This is not a dealbreaker for most use cases but it is worth knowing.
Lorebook is the feature that carries the most weight in this update. It lets creators attach world-specific knowledge directly to characters. Lore entries you create carry across every chat with that character.
For anyone building a detailed fictional setting or a long-running collaborative story, this changes the ceiling of what the platform can do.
The recent frustrations are real and worth naming. The age verification rollout locked out users who were misclassified. The reading mode change hit adult users without warning. This update does not undo any of that. What it does is show that the platform is still iterating on features people care about.
What to Do With These New Features
To get the most out of the April 2026 update, verify you are on PipSqueak 2 in your model settings, check your Memory page for the expanded categories, and plan your Lorebook setup now if you run characters in a detailed fictional world.
Here is what to do today:
- Open Character AI and check your model selector. PSQ2 is rolling out gradually, so if you do not see it yet, wait a few days. Free users get access to PSQ2. DeepSqueak remains c.ai+ only.
- Go to your Memory page. The new design is cleaner. Look through what has been recorded to see the expanded categories in action: appearance details, quirks, and other specifics that the old system missed.
- Watch for the in-chat Memory notification. When the system records something, you will see a small indicator. If the system records something incorrect, you can now catch it and clear it before it affects future conversations.
- For Lorebook: it is not live yet for most users. Start organizing your lore documentation now so you are ready when access rolls out. c.ai+ members get first access.
- If the PSQ2 gibberish bug hits you in long responses, the workaround is to keep individual responses shorter by steering the conversation more actively. The bug appears most often in very long uninterrupted generations.
From what I have seen across several updates now, the best approach is to treat each Character AI rollout as a public beta. Features work well in most cases and have edge-case issues that get patched over the following weeks. PSQ2 is following that pattern.
If the platform’s recent direction, including the ad changes and age restrictions, has pushed you toward looking at alternatives, the best Character AI alternatives with personas breakdown covers the options worth considering. CrushOn AI handles persona depth well for users who want more control than Character AI currently allows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PipSqueak 2 better than DeepSqueak?
No, but it is close. In community testing, PSQ2 performs similarly to peak DeepSqueak in quality. DeepSqueak is still the more powerful model and remains exclusive to c.ai+ subscribers. PSQ2 is the improved free-tier model.
When is Lorebook coming to Character AI?
No exact date has been given. The CEO confirmed it is in final testing and will be available to c.ai+ members first, with broader access expanding over the following months. Spring 2026 is the likely window.
What does Character AI Lorebook actually do?
Lorebook lets character creators attach world knowledge to specific characters. Any lore entry you create, like setting rules, character backstory, faction details, carries automatically into every chat with that character. It is built for creators running detailed fictional worlds or long-running collaborative stories.
Is DeepSqueak 2 released yet?
No. The CEO confirmed it is currently in training with promising early results. No timeline was given. When it launches, it will likely be c.ai+ exclusive like the current DeepSqueak.
Why did Character AI add more ads and restrictions recently?
The CEO addressed this directly in the April update post. Character AI operates without outside investors, serving millions of users monthly. The ad placements and feature limits are revenue sustainability measures to keep the free tier available globally. The community is not happy about it, but the explanation is straightforward.
Can I clear incorrect Memory entries?
Yes. The refreshed Memory page makes it easier to review and delete individual memory entries. If the system records something wrong, you can find it and remove it before it shapes future conversations.
