Build It
Hardware setup, installs, and step-by-step walkthroughs for picking or building the right machine for local AI.
Setting Up a Mini PC for Local AI
A quiet mini PC that runs local AI at home - no GPU required.
20 min readBuilding a Full PC for Local AI
A GPU-equipped desktop for running bigger local AI models.
18 min readSetting Up an AWS EC2 Instance for Local AI
No hardware to buy? Rent a cloud instance - free credits for students.
16 min readHow Much Storage You Actually Need
Estimating model sizes, NVMe vs SATA, and picking a storage tier that won't leave you deleting models a month in.
10 min readGoing Headless: Running Without a Monitor
Once your mini PC is set up, it doesn't need a screen, keyboard, or mouse permanently attached. Here's how to run it headless and reach it over SSH.
12 min readAccessing Your Setup From Other Devices on Your Network
Reach your local AI chat interface from your phone or laptop on the couch, not just from the machine it is installed on - using your home network, nothing more.
10 min readChoosing Your OS for Local AI
Linux, Windows, or Mac - what actually differs between them for running local AI, and which one to pick if you're starting from scratch.
10 min read