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

# Local models

> Run Cline with local models using Ollama, LM Studio or Atomic Chat.

Run Cline with local inference on your machine.

> [!TIP]
>
> Using Cline Desktop with Ollama or LM Studio? Its [Local Models page](https://docs.cline.bot/usage/cline-desktop-local-models.md) recommends models for your hardware, downloads them, and sets them up for you.

## Quick Start

1. Install a local runtime (**Ollama**, **LM Studio** or **Atomic Chat**)
2. Start the local server
3. In Cline Settings, select the matching provider
4. Select a local model
5. Enable **Use Compact Prompt** in Cline Settings → Features

## Hardware Requirements

| RAM | Typical local setup |
| - | - |
| 16-32GB | Small/quantized models |
| 32-64GB | Mid-size coding models |
| 64GB+ | Larger models and bigger context windows |

## Runtime Options

**Ollama**

### 1) Install

* Download from [ollama.com](https://ollama.com)
* Install for your OS

### 2) Find popular local models

* Browse the Ollama model catalog: [ollama.com/search](https://ollama.com/search)
* Sort/filter by popularity, model size, and latest updates
* Open any model page and copy the `ollama pull` command

### 3) Pull and run a model

```bash theme={"system"}
ollama pull <model-name>
ollama run <model-name>
```

### 4) Configure Cline

1. Open Cline Settings
2. Select provider: **Ollama**
3. Base URL: `http://localhost:11434`
4. Select your model from the dropdown

### 5) Troubleshooting

* Make sure Ollama is running before sending prompts
* If connection fails, verify `http://localhost:11434`
* If model is missing, run `ollama pull <model-name>`

**LM Studio**

> [!TIP]
>
> In Cline Desktop, the [Local Models page](https://docs.cline.bot/usage/cline-desktop-local-models.md) can start LM Studio's server, download and load a model, and configure Cline for you.

### 1) Install

* Download from [lmstudio.ai](https://lmstudio.ai)
* Install and launch the app

### 2) Find local models

* Browse the LM Studio model catalog: [lmstudio.ai/models](https://lmstudio.ai/models)
* Filter by model family, size, and capabilities
* Pick a model that matches your hardware

### 3) Download a model

* Open **Discover** and download a model

### 4) Start server

* Open **Developer** tab
* Start server (default: `http://localhost:1234`)

### 5) Configure Cline

1. Open Cline Settings
2. Select provider: **LM Studio**
3. Keep Base URL as `http://localhost:1234`
4. Select your model from the dropdown

### 6) Troubleshooting

* Ensure LM Studio server is running
* Ensure a model is loaded
* If connection fails, verify `http://localhost:1234`

**Atomic Chat**

### 1) Install

* Download from [atomic.chat](https://atomic.chat) (macOS Apple Silicon)
* Or build from [AtomicBot-ai/Atomic-Chat](https://github.com/AtomicBot-ai/Atomic-Chat)

### 2) Load a model

* Open Atomic Chat and download or load a local model from the catalog

### 3) Start the local API

* Atomic Chat exposes an OpenAI-compatible server at `http://127.0.0.1:1337/v1` by default
* List loaded models: `curl http://127.0.0.1:1337/v1/models`

### 4) Configure Cline

1. Open Cline Settings
2. Select provider: **Atomic Chat**
3. Base URL: `http://127.0.0.1:1337/v1` (default)
4. Select your model from the dropdown

### 5) Troubleshooting

* Make sure Atomic Chat is running before sending prompts
* If connection fails, verify `http://127.0.0.1:1337/v1/models`
* If the model list is empty, load a model in Atomic Chat first

## Recommended Cline Settings for Local Inference

* Enable **Use Compact Prompt**
* Keep tasks focused (smaller context = faster responses)
* Start a new task when context gets too large


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