{
 "schema_version": 1,
 "generated": "2026-10-26",
 "id": "mudler-localai--chat-with-local-models-in-the-terminal",
 "repo": "mudler/LocalAI",
 "repo_url": "https://github.com/mudler/LocalAI",
 "repo_slug": "mudler-localai",
 "title": "Chat with local models from the terminal",
 "page_title": "How to chat with local models from the terminal with LocalAI",
 "summary": "Run a model in one terminal and chat with it in another, switching models inside the session.",
 "who": "A developer who wants quick private answers without opening a browser or paying per token.",
 "problem": "Trying different local models usually means juggling several tools and configs.",
 "outcome": "A terminal chat against any installed model, with commands to list and switch models.",
 "steps": [
  "Install LocalAI (Docker or the macOS app)",
  "In terminal 1 run `local-ai run llama-3.2-1b-instruct:q4_k_m`",
  "In terminal 2 run `local-ai chat --model llama-3.2-1b-instruct:q4_k_m`",
  "Inside the session use /models to list installed models and /model to switch",
  "Measure latency and throughput with `local-ai benchmark`"
 ],
 "agent_prompt": "Using mudler/LocalAI, run two different small models, chat with each using local-ai chat on the same three questions, run local-ai benchmark, and recommend which model to keep for <use>.",
 "agents": [
  "any"
 ],
 "difficulty": "Beginner",
 "time": "20 minutes",
 "basis": "readme",
 "caveat": "",
 "category": "Software and DevOps",
 "tags": [
  "Software and DevOps"
 ],
 "lang": "go",
 "requirements": [
  "Docker or Podman, or the macOS app (not signed by Apple)",
  "Optional GPU: NVIDIA, AMD, Intel, Apple Silicon or Vulkan; CPU-only works",
  "Disk space for the models you pull"
 ],
 "risk": "none",
 "seen_in_the_wild": false,
 "mentioned_publicly": false,
 "risks": [],
 "best": false,
 "score": 0.9,
 "evidence": [],
 "url": "https://dedupedai.com/use-cases/mudler-localai/chat-with-local-models-in-the-terminal/",
 "md": "https://dedupedai.com/use-cases/mudler-localai/chat-with-local-models-in-the-terminal/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 The use cases, steps, and prompts are written by AI and may be incomplete, outdated, or just wrong.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/mudler-localai--chat-with-local-models-in-the-terminal.json",
 "api_version": "v1"
}