How to Use Ollama in 2026: Step-by-Step Guide
Run large language models locally via command line — a simple, fast way to self-host open-source AI.
Ollama is an open-source tool that makes it easy to run large language models locally on your Mac, Linux, or Windows machine. With a single terminal command (ollama run llama3), you can pull and run models like Llama 3, Mistral, Phi, Gemma, Qwen, and dozens more. Ollama exposes a REST API that is compatible with many existing LLM tools and frontends, and it integrates directly with Open WebUI, Continue, and other developer tools. It is the default backbone for the local AI developer ecosystem and is used by hundreds of thousands of developers, researchers, and enthusiasts worldwide.
What You'll Need
- A Ollama account (free to create)
- A modern web browser or the Ollama app
Getting Started
Create Your Account
Visit https://ollama.com and sign up for a free account. You'll need an email address to register.
Start Your First Conversation
Once logged in, you'll see the main chat interface. Type a question or task in the input box and press Enter. Ollama supports local LLM, CLI, REST API, open-source, offline, model library — start with a simple text prompt to get familiar.
Pro Tips
- Be specific: The more context you provide, the better the response. Instead of "write an email," try "write a professional follow-up email to a client who hasn't responded in two weeks."
- Iterate: If you don't get what you need, ask for clarification or refinement: "Make it shorter" or "Use a more formal tone."
- Use examples: Show Ollama what format you want by including an example in your prompt.
- Save useful conversations: Most platforms let you name and revisit conversations — organize by project or topic.
Common Use Cases
General Assistant
All-purpose AI assistants for everyday questions, tasks, and conversations.
Browse General Assistant chatbots →Programming & Code
AI assistants focused on writing, debugging, and explaining code across programming languages.
Browse Programming & Code chatbots →Troubleshooting
- Responses seem generic or unhelpful
- Add more context to your prompt. Specify the audience, tone, length, and format you need. Try starting over with a clearer description of your goal.
- The tool isn't responding or is slow
- AI chatbots can experience high traffic. Refresh the page and try again. Check the service's status page if issues persist.
- Output is too long or too short
- Explicitly specify the length: "in 100 words," "as a brief summary," or "in detail with examples."
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Ollama free to use?
- Yes, Ollama is completely free to use.
- Do I need an account to use Ollama?
- You may be able to try Ollama without an account, though a free account unlocks more features and saves your history.
- What can I use Ollama for?
- Run large language models locally via command line — a simple, fast way to self-host open-source AI.
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