Can i start gta online without a character in story mode?

GTA Online is not a standalone game and cannot be accessed without first progressing through Grand Theft Auto V's Story Mode. Players must complete specific Story Mode missions, including the prologue and the first heist setup, before being able to transfer their character to Online Mode. The game's design ties the Online component directly to Story Mode progress, ensuring that players have a basic understanding of the game's mechanics and narrative before entering the multiplayer world. This requirement is a fundamental part of Rockstar's game structure and cannot be bypassed.