# Prompt variables

> Put another node's value into a prompt by writing its label in curly braces, set a default with two pipes, and use @ to attach characters and named images.

Source: https://nodaro.ai/docs/concepts/prompt-variables

A **prompt variable** puts the value of another node into a prompt. You write the node's label in curly braces, such as `{Mood}`, and when the prompt runs Nodaro replaces it with that node's text or choice. Variables let you write a prompt once and change its parts from other nodes, pickers or list items. For characters, locations and images, an `@` mention attaches the picture itself, not only words.

## How it works

Workflow: The prompt of Generate Image names two other nodes. At run time, the variables become the text of the Subject node and the wording of the Mood picker.

- Text → Generate Image (prompt)
- Mood → Generate Image (look)

1. Give the source node a label, such as "Subject". A picker already has one, such as "Mood".
2. In the prompt of another node, write the label in curly braces: `A portrait of {Subject}, {Mood}, soft window light`.
3. Connect the source node to the node with the prompt. A picker's value is available everywhere in the workflow, even without a connection.
4. Run the node. Nodaro replaces each variable with the current value of its node.

Type `{` in a prompt editor to insert a variable. Variable names ignore case: `{mood}`, `{Mood}` and `{MOOD}` all name a node labeled "Mood". Give each source node a unique label, so that each variable has one source.

## Default values

A variable can carry a fallback after two pipes. Nodaro uses the fallback when nothing provides the variable.

- `{person || man}` uses the connected [Person](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/creative-controls/person) picker when there is one, and the word "man" when there is not. The prompt `generate a {person || man} running` becomes "generate a man running" without a Person picker.
- `{person || }`, with nothing after the pipes, resolves to nothing when no node provides it.
- Spaces around the fallback are removed.

Many factory [presets](https://nodaro.ai/docs/concepts/presets) use defaults, such as `{brand || a modern tech startup}`, so that a preset gives a sensible result even if you run it without changes. Replace the whole variable with your own words, or connect a node with a matching label to fill it at run time.

## Highlighting

In the prompt editor of the settings panel and in the larger prompt editor that opens with Ctrl+E, variables are highlighted:

| Highlight | Meaning |
| --- | --- |
| Cyan | A connected node provides this name, or the name is a built-in template variable. |
| Amber | Nothing connected provides this name yet. This is a warning, not an error: a variable with a default still works. |

Inside a variable with a default, the default text is bright when it will be used, and grey with a line through it when a connected node's value replaces it.

To see the exact text that a node will send, switch the prompt area of the node from **Edit** to **Final**, or click **Show final prompt** on a prompt field of the settings panel. The final view colours each part of the prompt by where it comes from, with a legend: **Variable**, **Picker**, **Snippet**, **Pre/post text**, **References**, **Style** and **Negative**. **Copy final prompt** copies the result.

![The prompt of Generate Image in the final view, with a resolved variable, picker wording and pre and post text in different colours, and the colour legend below.](https://nodaro.ai/docs-media/screens/en/concepts/prompt-final-view.light.webp)

## When a variable cannot be resolved

- **A name that matches no node stops the run.** If a variable without a default names a node that does not exist anywhere in the workflow, the run is refused before anything is sent or charged. A typing mistake therefore never produces a wrong image.
- **A node without a value gives empty text.** If the node exists but has produced nothing, a variable without a default becomes empty text.
- **Connected text is never rewritten.** Text that arrives through an input, and not through a variable, is used as it is. Curly braces inside it are not treated as variables.
- **A few names are reserved.** Prompt templates use some built-in names, such as `{userPrompt}`. Those names are not node labels.

**Missing a node?** Select the node with the prompt and press Tab to add a node. With **Auto Connect** on, the connect dialog lists the **Missing variables** of the prompt. Choose one, and the new node gets that name and is connected for you.

## Typed prompts and connected prompts

A node can have a typed prompt and a prompt connected to its **Prompt** input at the same time.

- **On Generate Image and Generate Video**, the connected prompt is added after the typed prompt. If the typed prompt already names the connected node as a variable, the text appears only where the variable is. Turn off **Inject Prompt** under **Prompt Injection** in the settings panel to stop adding connected prompts.
- **On other nodes**, the typed prompt wins. The connected prompt is used when the typed prompt is empty, or where the typed prompt names it as a variable.
- **In a batch**, each list item replaces the prompt of its run. See [Lists and batching](https://nodaro.ai/docs/concepts/lists-and-batching).

## How pickers add text

A [picker](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/creative-controls), such as Mood, Lighting or Framing, never runs a model. It adds tested wording to the prompt of the nodes it feeds, in one of two ways:

- **Connected to Look or Elements.** The picker's wording is added to the end of the prompt of [Generate Image](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/image/generate-image) or [Generate Video](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/video/generate-video). Turn off **Inject Look** or **Inject Elements** in the settings panel to stop it.
- **Named as a variable.** `{Mood}` places the picker's wording exactly where you write it. This works in any prompt, even without a connection.

Every catalog picker has a **Prompt hint** switch. **Full** adds a longer description of the choice, and **Compact** adds only the short term, which keeps a prompt short when many pickers feed one node. A picker's own **Pre Text** and **Post Text** are added around its wording in both modes. Switch the picker to the **Prompt** or **Both** display mode to read the exact words it adds.

## Mention characters and images with @

An `@` mention attaches a reference picture and writes a matching phrase where you typed it. Type `@` in the prompt of an image or video node to choose from the options.

| Mention | What it attaches |
| --- | --- |
| A character, such as `@maya` | The character's approved picture and description, from a connected [Character Asset](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/assets/character) node |
| A location, such as `@old-library` | The location's picture and description, from a connected [Location Asset](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/assets/location) node |
| A named image, such as `@town:1` | A connected [Upload Image](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/image/upload-image) node labeled "Town" |
| A creature or an object, such as `@nessie:1` | A connected [Animal/Creature Asset](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/assets/creature) or [Object/Props Asset](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/assets/object) node. Type these by hand: they have no suggestion list. |

A mention can also say what to take from the reference. `@town:1:background` becomes "the background from reference image A", and `@maya:1:clothes` takes only the clothes. Characters and locations appear as pills in the prompt: click a pill's thumbnail to choose another picture of it, and its label to choose what to take from it. [Reference roles](https://nodaro.ai/docs/guides/reference-roles) lists every role and the identity lock.

A label that starts with a digit cannot form a mention, so rename it. When a character or a location has the same name as an image, the character or the location wins.

## Point at a connected reference

On video models that accept several references, such as [Seedance 2](https://nodaro.ai/docs/models/video/seedance-2), a positional token points a phrase at one connected reference:

| Token | Becomes |
| --- | --- |
| `{image:1:person}` | "the person from @image_1" |
| `{image:2:jacket}` | "the jacket from @image_2" |
| `{image:1}` | "the subject in @image_1" |
| `{video:1:clip}` | "the clip from @video_1" |
| `{audio:1:voice}` | "the voice from @audio_1" |

Images connected to **Image Refs** are numbered first, in their order, then the assets connected to **Assets**. A token with a number higher than the connected references becomes its plain label, and models without reference support read the plain label too.

## Where variables work

- **Prompts** of image, video, audio, music, speech and text nodes, and the text of [Text](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/automate/text) nodes.
- **Pre and post text.** See [Prompt pre and post text](https://nodaro.ai/docs/concepts/prompt-pre-post-text).
- **List items.** Each item of a batch can contain variables.
- **Some utility settings**, such as the divisor, value and seed fields of the [Selector](https://nodaro.ai/docs/nodes/automate/selector) node.

To insert reusable text instead of a value, type `/` in a prompt to open [prompt snippets](https://nodaro.ai/docs/guides/prompt-snippets). A snippet is inserted as plain text.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is a prompt variable in Nodaro?

A node's label in curly braces, such as {Mood}, written inside a prompt. When the node runs, Nodaro replaces the variable with that node's text or choice, so you can change part of a prompt from another node.

### What happens when a variable names a node that does not exist?

The run stops before anything is sent or charged, so a typing mistake never produces a wrong result. Fix the name, or add a default value after two pipes.

### How do I give a variable a default value?

Write the default after two pipes, such as {person || man}. Nodaro uses the connected node when there is one and the word "man" when there is not. An empty default, such as {person || }, resolves to nothing.

### Why is my variable highlighted in amber?

Amber means that nothing connected provides that name yet. It is a warning, not an error. A variable with a default still works, and a picker's value is available even without a connection.

### What is the difference between a variable and an @ mention?

A variable inserts text. An @ mention attaches a character, a location or a named image as a reference picture, and writes a phrase such as "the person from reference image A" where you typed it.