Learn To Run and Build Your Own Personal ChatGPT like AI in 5 mins: No Coding Required
Ollama for Beginners - Get Started with Local AI in 5 mins minutes( or 7 mins if you use bigger models ), regardless of your background
This is a part 1 to get you quickly started with using AI models like GPT-3/4 on your machine. In part 2, you will be building a ChatGPT-like Chat Interface for your own model created in this Part 2, building on base models like Lama 3.2 or Deepseek.
Hello AI Enthusiasts 👋
Artificial Intelligence (AI) often seems like a complex field reserved for experts. However, with tools like Ollama, you can now explore AI directly on your personal computer, regardless of your technical background and if you know coding or not. And how do we do that. Well we have many tools to tinker with open source models and one of them is Ollama.
Ollama: Your Local AI Companion
Ollama is an open-source tool that allows you to run large language models (LLMs) locally on your machine. This means you can experiment with AI without relying on cloud services, keeping your data private and secure.
Imagine you are working with a model similar to the model that powers ChaGPT basic features.
Its ridiculously easy tool that lets you run powerful AI models locally. No complicated cloud setups, no coding headaches (promise!), just pure, just quick easy setup, right on your machine. 💻
Why Local AI Matters (Especially for Beginners):
Your Local AI Engine: Imagine having a super-smart AI assistant, always ready to help, answer questions, write stories, even understand images… and it lives inside your computer. That's Ollama! It lets you download and run these amazing AI "brains" (models) locally, without needing a constant internet connection after setup. Think personal AI sidekick, ready for action! 🦸
AI Exploration Made Easy: Ollama removes the complexity. It's designed to be beginner-friendly, so you can finally experience AI, experiment, and learn without feeling overwhelmed. It's your personal AI sandbox, waiting to be explored. 🏖️
Privacy in Your Hands: Your AI interactions stay on your computer. No sending your data to any cloud servers. It's your private AI playground, where you control your data. 🔒
Ready to get started? Let's jump in! 👇
Get Ollama on Your Machine: My Beginner-Friendly Install Guide (Video Help Included!)
Ready to get Ollama on your computer? Trust me, if I can do it, anyone can! It's seriously designed for beginners. Let's walk through the super-easy install process, step-by-step.
"Click & Go" Install - Super Simple Steps (Mac, Windows, Linux)
Visit Ollama Website: Go to www.ollama.com in your browser
Download the Installer: Find the download button for your system (Mac, Windows, Linux) and click!
Run the Installer - Watch the Videos for Your OS! 👇
Mac Users: Drag & Drop Simplicity! Open the downloaded file. Drag the Ollama icon to "Applications." Done!
The Ollama Test (One Command, That's It!): Let's make sure Ollama is installed correctly! Open your command line tool:
Open the Terminal (Spotlight search: Command + Spacebar)
Type ollama and press Enter. If you see a welcome message, you're in! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
ollama
Video Walkthrough - Mac Install
Windows Users: Double-Click & Install! Find the downloaded file (probably in your "Downloads" folder). Double-click and follow the on-screen steps. It's mostly clicking "Install" and "Next."
The Ollama Test (One Command, That's It!): Let's make sure Ollama is installed correctly! Open your command line tool:
Open the Command Prompt (search in Start Menu)
Type ollama and press Enter. If you see a welcome message, you're in! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
Video Walkthrough- Link
Linux Users: Terminal Command (Copy & Paste Power!) Open your terminal. Copy this exact command:
curl -fsSL https://ollama.com/install.sh | shPaste it into the terminal and press Enter. Let the script work its magic.
Video Walkthrough - Link (Dont forget to come back here ;))
"Did It Work?" See my result below
That was not too bad at all.
Less than 2 mins of installing ollama for getting you ready for your real adventure.
If you run into any issues , should not be the case but feel free to reach out
Lets move on to the cool part now
Meet Your First AI Model: Let's Run Llama 3.2! (Your personal AI is Waiting)
If you have time, lets go the next steps(After running llama) where we even run Deepseek
Now back to running Llama 3.2
You've installed Ollama – awesome! Now, let's run your first AI model. We will start with Llama 3, a powerful and versatile model that's perfect for beginners. 🦙
Running Your First Model - Just One Command! (Video Demo!) 👇
Open Your Command Line: (Terminal, Command Prompt, etc.)
Type the Magic Words:
ollama run llama3.2Press Enter: Watch Ollama download and run Llama 3 for you!
Chatting with Llama 3.2 - Your First AI Conversation: Once Llama 3 is running, Ollama will prompt you to chat. Type in a question, a prompt, anything you want, and press Enter! Start exploring the AI magic! ✨
Video Walkthrough below
Bonus Tutorial on Deepseek
If you want to test a “Thinking” Model. In my turotial I have installed it first and then I installed llama 3. For a quick click and go llama is good. For more sophisticated answers and observing the model executing instructions and how it thinks, I have included Deepseek model install.
Running Deepseek
Continue with your terminal or open Your Command Line : (Terminal, Command Prompt, etc.)
Type the Magic Words and let the thinking begin
ollama run deepseek-r1Video Walkthrough below
Congratulations🔥 , you've taken your first steps into the world of local AI with Ollama!
In Part 1, you:
Learned what Ollama is and why it's beginner-friendly. ✅
Installed Ollama on your computer (easy peasy!). ✅
Ran your first AI model, Llama 3(and maybe Deepseek too), and had a basic AI conversation! ✅
But this is just the beginning!
In Part 2, coming soon this week, we'll level up your Ollama experience and explore: 🚀
Building a ChatGPT-like Chat Interface with OpenWebUI! (Yes, you can have your own private ChatGPT!) 🤩
Exploring Different AI Models! (Meet more AI brains and their superpowers!) 🧠
And maybe Agents (since this is “The year of Agents”) and much more! 🌟
Don’t get overwhelmed if you think this is too complex. I will walk you through every step of the way. Stay Tuned!
I want to hear about your first Ollama experience! Reply to this email or this post: 👇
What did you ask Llama 3 or even Deepseek? 🤔
What was your "aha!" moment getting started with local AI? 💡
Feel free to hop into chat below and ask away if you need any help with the setup or run into any issues
🤝 Stay tuned for Part 2 - it's going to be even more exciting! 🔥
And here's another option: MSTY: https://msty.app/ .
This free cross-platform app is a GUI front end which also has an embedded version of Ollama which it serves up on port http://localhost:10000 for access by other AI local programs . In addition to featured local models and almost any online model, you can download and install models from Ollama and HuggingFace platforms. It supports chatting with multiple models simultaneously, RAG (including RAG with an entire Obsidian note-taking app Vault), and many more features.