Riffsmith
The AI improv practice app for the reps between classes. Build fundamentals through daily scene practice with real-time coaching, skill progression, and the Stage Time streak that keeps the habit alive.
Practice • Riff • Grow • Perform
Daily Reps for Improv Fundamentals
One short scene, up to eight exchanges, then coaching scored across four pillars.
Daily Scene Practice
Short scenes targeting a specific skill from the tree — Yes And, Character Work, Status Play and beyond. Scored on acceptance, adaptation, pattern development, and pacing.
AI Scene Partner & Coach
Your AI scene partner responds in character while a separate coaching layer evaluates your technique and offers targeted feedback after each scene.
Stage Time Streak
Track consecutive days of practice with your Stage Time streak. Banked streak freezes cover an off day, so one missed session doesn’t wipe out weeks of work.
Skill Progression Tree
Unlock new improv skills as you demonstrate mastery of fundamentals. The progression tree reflects real-world improv training pathways from foundation to advanced technique.
XP & Performance Metrics
Earn XP for completed scenes and quality coaching scores. Track total practice points over time and see your growth across each skill category.
Five Scene Partners
Alex the Yes Machine accepts and escalates hard. Morgan keeps scenes rooted in human truth. Remy, Jordan, and Casey each break a scene differently, so you rehearse against more than one temperament.
Hearts & Speed Riff
A heart system tracks the mistakes that would end a real scene. Play Standard for untimed reps, or Speed Riff, where you have five seconds to answer before the clock runs out.
Privacy-First Design
On-Device mode runs entirely on your device with Apple Intelligence — no network required, no data sent externally. Enhanced mode is opt-in only.
Improv Skills Library
Practice the building blocks that every working comedian and performer needs
Yes, And
Accept offers and build on them without shutting the scene down
Character Work
Choose a point of view, status, and voice quickly
Emotional Truth
React like a real person before chasing the joke
Escalation
Raise the stakes without breaking the reality
Game of the Scene
Spot the pattern and heighten it cleanly
Status Play
Commit to high-status and low-status dynamics
Callbacks
Return to established patterns for payoff
Three AI Modes
Train your way — from fully offline to cloud-powered coaching
Off — Scripted Scenes
Practice with locally stored scripted scene exchanges. No AI, no internet, no coaching overlay. Pure pattern repetition for fundamentals work.
On-Device — Apple Intelligence
Uses Apple Intelligence for dynamic scene exchanges and deferred coaching when available. Fully offline — nothing leaves your device. Requires compatible hardware.
Enhanced — Cloud AI
Routes scene work to Claude Haiku and the detailed coaching pass to Claude Opus when online. Richest feedback. Opt-in only — your default is always private.
Stage Time Streak
The habit is the practice
Every working improviser will tell you the same thing: consistency beats intensity. Riffsmith's Stage Time streak makes showing up every day feel as rewarding as a strong set — because it is.
Part of the Punchline Foundry Suite
Riffsmith pairs with Jokesmith and Gigsmith for a complete performance toolkit
+ Jokesmith
While Riffsmith builds your improv engine, Jokesmith is your writing workshop: draft bits, build sets, record your performances and listen back to see what to rewrite.
+ Gigsmith
Book shows, manage your venue pipeline, and track income. When Riffsmith makes you sharper on stage, Gigsmith helps you put that on more stages.
Veteran Discount
30% veteran and military discount on all Punchline Foundry apps. Honored on an honor-system basis — no verification required. Thank you for your service.
A Look Inside
Screens from Riffsmith, out now on the App Store
Common Questions
What improvisers ask before downloading
Can I practice improv by myself?
Yes. Riffsmith gives you an AI scene partner, so you can play a short scene any time your troupe or class isn’t available, then get coaching on what to try next.
Does Riffsmith replace improv classes?
No. It’s built to support your training, not replace it: a practice room for the reps between classes, rehearsals and shows.
What skills can I practice?
Seven core improv skills: Yes, And; Character Work; Emotional Truth; Escalation; Game of the Scene; Status Play; and Callbacks. Each scene targets a skill and is scored on acceptance, adaptation, pattern development and pacing.
Does it need the internet or send my scenes to AI?
You choose. Scripted scenes and on-device Apple Intelligence work offline. Enhanced cloud coaching is opt-in only, and your default is always private.
Is Riffsmith free?
Riffsmith is free to start. Pro and Elite subscriptions unlock more practice and coaching, and there’s a military and veteran discount.
Armed Services Arts Partnership
ASAP provides free arts programs for veterans, service members, and their families. It’s where Punchline Foundry began: founder Nicholas Schnaufer discovered stand-up at an ASAP comedy bootcamp.
Learn how your support can help more people access the arts.