Practical overview
When it fits
Use Dalai when you want to install and run a supported model locally and can provide the required software, memory and storage.
Who it is for
- People who want to experiment with LLaMA or Alpaca models on a personal computer.
- Developers interested in a hackable local web app or its documented JavaScript and Socket.io APIs.
Documented uses
- Install a supported LLaMA or Alpaca model.
- Launch a local web interface for using an installed model.
- Choose a model size with documented memory and disk requirements in view.
Requirements & limits
- The documented macOS setup requires Node.js 18 or later; the Docker Compose route requires Docker installed and running.
- The documentation lists Linux, Mac and Windows support, alongside a Docker Compose setup.
- Estimated memory ranges from about 4 GB for 7B models to 32 GB for 65B models.
- Quantized LLaMA storage ranges from 4.21 GB for 7B to 40.88 GB for 65B; retaining the original files increases total storage needs.
Check current requirements in the official documentation. Source-based guidance does not mean OpenViST has run or independently tested this project.
Install a model and launch Dalai's local web interface on macOS
Install a LLaMA or Alpaca model and start Dalai's web UI on a Mac.
Before you start
- macOS computer
- Node.js 18 or later
- Sufficient memory and disk space for the selected model
Steps
Install Node.js 18 or later if it is not already installed.
Install a model with the command below or the command below; the documented model size can be changed.
npx dalai llama install 7Bnpx dalai alpaca install 7BStart the web UI with the command below.
npx dalai serveOpen
http://localhost:3000in a browser.
Expected outcome
Dalai's local web interface is available at localhost:3000 for the installed model.
Guide limitations
- The documentation estimates about 4 GB of memory for a 7B model and lists additional disk requirements for model files.
- If the install commands exit immediately, the documentation suggests installing Homebrew dependencies cmake and pkg-config, updating npm, then retrying.
Install an Alpaca model with Docker Compose
Build Dalai with Docker Compose, install an Alpaca model and start the service.
Before you start
- Docker installed and running
- Sufficient disk space and memory for the selected model
Steps
Build the service with the command below.
docker compose buildInstall the model with the command below.
docker compose run dalai npx dalai alpaca install 7BStart the service with the command below.
docker compose up -dOpen
http://127.0.0.1:3000.
Expected outcome
The documented Docker Compose workflow stores models in the `./models` folder and serves the site at 127.0.0.1:3000.
Guide limitations
- The guide requires Docker to be installed and running.
- Its example installs Alpaca 7B; model memory and storage needs depend on the selected size.
Sources & review
Source record details
- Source availability
- Active
- Sources checked
- 15 October 2026
- Original website title
- cocktailpeanut/dalai · Official homepage title · retained in its source language

