# Source: https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/video/tavus.md

# Source: https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/transport/tavus.md

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.pipecat.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# TavusTransport

> Conversational AI applications with Tavus avatars using real-time audio/video streaming

## Overview

TavusTransport enables your Pipecat bot to join the same virtual room as a Tavus avatar and human participants. The transport integrates with the Tavus platform to create conversational AI applications where a Tavus avatar provides synchronized video and audio output while your bot handles the conversation logic.

When used, the Pipecat bot connects to a Daily room alongside the Tavus avatar and user. The bot receives audio input from participants, processes it through your pipeline, and sends TTS audio to the Tavus avatar for synchronized video rendering.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Tavus Transport API Reference" icon="code" href="https://reference-server.pipecat.ai/en/latest/api/pipecat.transports.tavus.transport.html">
    Pipecat's API methods for Tavus platform integration
  </Card>

  <Card title="Example Implementation" icon="play" href="https://github.com/pipecat-ai/pipecat/blob/main/examples/foundational/21a-tavus-video-service.py">
    Complete Tavus avatar conversation example
  </Card>

  <Card title="Tavus API Documentation" icon="book" href="https://docs.tavus.io/api-reference/phoenix-replica-model/create-replica">
    Tavus official API reference and replica creation
  </Card>

  <Card title="Client SDK Integration" icon="link" href="/client/js/transports/daily">
    Connect using Pipecat Client SDK with Daily transport
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Installation

To use TavusTransport, install the required dependencies:

```bash  theme={null}
pip install "pipecat-ai[tavus]"
```

## Prerequisites

### Tavus Platform Setup

Before using TavusTransport, you need:

1. **Tavus Account**: Sign up at [Tavus.io](https://tavus.io)
2. **API Key**: Generate a Tavus API key for authentication
3. **Replica ID**: Create or obtain a Tavus replica model ID
4. **Persona Configuration**: Set up a persona (optional, defaults to Pipecat TTS voice)

<Tip>
  Use `persona_id="pipecat-stream"` to have Tavus use your Pipecat bot's TTS
  voice instead of a Tavus persona voice.
</Tip>

### Required Environment Variables

* `TAVUS_API_KEY`: Your Tavus API key for authentication
* `TAVUS_REPLICA_ID`: ID of the Tavus replica model to use

## Key Features

* **Avatar Integration**: Seamlessly integrates Tavus avatars with Pipecat conversations
* **Synchronized Audio/Video**: Tavus avatar renders video synchronized with bot's TTS output
* **Multi-participant Rooms**: Supports bot, avatar, and human participants in the same session
* **Conversation Management**: Handles Tavus conversation lifecycle through API
* **Real-time Streaming**: Bidirectional audio streaming with video avatar output

## Usage

TavusTransport creates a three-way conversation between your Pipecat bot, a Tavus avatar, and human participants. The transport manages the Tavus API integration and Daily room connectivity automatically.

See the [complete example](https://github.com/pipecat-ai/pipecat/blob/main/examples/foundational/21a-tavus-video-service.py) for a full implementation including:

* Tavus transport configuration
* Avatar and replica setup
* Pipeline integration with TTS
* Event handling for participant management