Installing Ollama — Step by Step
Select your operating system and check off each step as you complete it.
Min RAM
8 GB
Recommended RAM
16 GB+
Disk Space
4–8 GB/model
GPU
Optional (faster)
Installing Ollama is designed to be effortless. Unlike many AI tools that require complex Python environments or terminal expertise, Ollama provides a native experience for macOS, Linux, and Windows. To begin, ensure your computer has at least 8GB of RAM (16GB or more is recommended for smoother performance with larger models).
Universal Installation steps
1. Visit the Website: Go to ollama.com.
2. Download: Click the download button. The website will automatically detect your operating system.
3. Install: On macOS, drag the app to your Applications folder. On Windows, run the .exe installer. On Linux, run the provided curl command in your terminal.
4. Initial Setup: When you first run the app, it will set up a 'helper' that stays in your menu bar, ready to serve AI requests whenever you need them.