Getting Started with Local LLMs: A Practical Guide

Large language models no longer require cloud APIs and monthly subscriptions. With recent advances in quantization and optimization, you can run capable models on consumer hardware.

The key is choosing the right model for your use case. For coding assistance, models like Code Llama and DeepSeek Coder excel. For general conversation, Llama 3 and Mistral offer strong performance at various parameter sizes.

Start with a tool like Ollama or LM Studio — both provide one-click installation and model management. Most 7B parameter models run comfortably on machines with 16GB RAM, while 13B models need 32GB or a decent GPU.

Once running, integrate with your workflow. VS Code extensions, terminal aliases, and API endpoints let you query your local model just like a cloud service — but with zero latency and complete privacy.