How to Use Ollama to Run Large Language Models Locally – Real Python

Running Ollama in your terminal allows you to start chatting with a local large language model (LLM) quickly. You won’t need API keys, cloud services, or ongoing costs. Ollama is a free, open-source tool that lets you download and run models directly on your machine. By following this guide, you’ll install Ollama, chat with local models from your terminal, and use them to power agentic coding tools: Example of Using Ollama to Run an LLM Locally Large language models traditionally require expensive API subscriptions and a constant internet connection. Ollama eliminates both requirements by running models directly on your hardware. Because everything runs locally, your prompts stay on your machine, and no per-token fees apply. Get Your Cheat Sheet: Click here to download your free Ollama cheat sheet and keep the essential steps and commands for running LLMs locally at your fingertips. Take the Quiz: Test your knowledge with our interactive “How to Use Ollama to Run Large Language Models