{
 "schema_version": 1,
 "generated": "2026-10-20",
 "id": "lithos-ai-lithos-metal--local-coding-agent-backend",
 "repo": "lithos-ai/lithos-metal",
 "repo_url": "https://github.com/lithos-ai/lithos-metal",
 "repo_slug": "lithos-ai-lithos-metal",
 "title": "Run a local model as the backend for a coding agent",
 "page_title": "How to run a local model as the backend for a coding agent with Lithos Metal",
 "summary": "Serve Qwen3.8-27B on your Mac and point a coding agent at it without sending code to a hosted API.",
 "who": "A developer on an Apple silicon Mac who wants a coding agent to run against a model that stays on the local machine.",
 "problem": "Hosted coding agents send prompts and code off the machine, and the developer wants a local model with low-latency generation instead.",
 "outcome": "A running local OpenAI-compatible server at http://127.0.0.1:8000 that a coding agent client uses as its model backend.",
 "steps": [
  "Install the precompiled package with `brew install lithos-ai/tap/lithos-metal`.",
  "Start the server with `lithos-metal serve --model nvidia/Qwen3.8-27B-NVFP4` and wait for compilation and warmup to finish.",
  "Install your client separately, for example Claude Code or Codex, in a second terminal.",
  "Launch the client through Lithos Metal with `lithos-metal claude` or `lithos-metal codex`.",
  "Send a short test prompt in the client and confirm a response comes back from the local server."
 ],
 "agent_prompt": "Using the lithos-metal repo at https://github.com/lithos-ai/lithos-metal, start the server with `lithos-metal serve --model nvidia/Qwen3.8-27B-NVFP4` on this Mac, then run `lithos-metal <client>` where <client> is the coding agent you want to use. Report the served model name and the first reply to a one-line test prompt. Verify that http://127.0.0.1:8000 answers before reporting success.",
 "agents": [
  "claude-code",
  "codex"
 ],
 "difficulty": "Intermediate",
 "time": "1 hour",
 "basis": "readme",
 "caveat": "The README says one generation runs at a time, and the first start includes model download, weight preparation, compilation, and warmup, so expect a slow first run.",
 "category": "Software and DevOps",
 "tags": [
  "Software and DevOps"
 ],
 "lang": "python",
 "requirements": [
  "An Apple silicon Mac running macOS 26 or later",
  "Enough unified memory for the target model, draft model, and context (the README tests Qwen models on a 40-core M5 Max with 48 GB)",
  "Homebrew, or Xcode Command Line Tools and Python 3.12 for a source build",
  "Client tools such as opencode, claude, codex, or hermes installed separately, if you use the launchers"
 ],
 "risk": "none",
 "seen_in_the_wild": false,
 "mentioned_publicly": false,
 "risks": [],
 "best": true,
 "score": 1.0,
 "evidence": [],
 "url": "https://dedupedai.com/use-cases/lithos-ai-lithos-metal/local-coding-agent-backend/",
 "md": "https://dedupedai.com/use-cases/lithos-ai-lithos-metal/local-coding-agent-backend/index.md",
 "disclaimer": "Deduped lists open-source repositories that belong to other people. We do not own, maintain, audit, or vouch for any of them, and a repo appearing here is not an endorsement or a safety check. The use cases, steps, and prompts are written by AI and may be incomplete, outdated, or just wrong. Where a use case is marked \"Seen in the wild\", we link to public posts where someone described something similar, but we have not verified those posts and the use case itself is still our AI's own write-up. Use all of this at your own risk. Only run code, commands, or agents on systems and accounts you are authorized to use, and read the code and every command before you run it, especially anything that touches credentials, files, or the network. Nothing here is professional, security, legal, or financial advice. All trademarks and project names belong to their respective owners, and their use here does not imply affiliation. Content is provided as is, without warranties of any kind. Found a mistake, a safety problem, or something you want removed? Email hello@dedupedai.com and we will look at it promptly.",
 "api": "https://dedupedai.com/api/v1/usecases/lithos-ai-lithos-metal--local-coding-agent-backend.json",
 "api_version": "v1"
}