8/27/2024

Creating Custom Commands for Ollama CLI

In the ever-evolving world of AI, the Ollama CLI stands out as an impressive tool for working with large language models such as Llama 3.1, Mistral, and Gemma 2. One of the most effective ways to maximize your productivity with Ollama is by leveraging its ability to create custom commands. In this blog post, we'll explore the ins and outs of how to set up your own commands in the Ollama CLI, making your interaction with this powerful tool not only simpler but also more efficient.

What is Ollama CLI?

Let's start from the top—what exactly is the Ollama CLI? Ollama is a robust command-line interface designed to run LARGE LANGUAGE MODELS locally on your machine. This means you can leverage models like Llama 3.1 without needing to rely on external APIs, leading to faster response times & improved privacy.

You can check out the official GitHub repository, which runs the Ollama framework, packed with a plethora of commands to play with. If you're itching to dive in, check out the Ollama GitHub Repository for all the juicy details.

The Power of Custom Commands

Custom commands allow you to tailor your interactions with models in the CLI to fit your unique workflow. You can create commands that streamline repetitive tasks, like pulling specific models, running them with preset parameters, or even creating prompts on the fly. The capability to define command arguments gives you endless potential for customization that can cater to your specific needs.

Setting Up Your Environment

Before you can jump into creating your own commands, you'll need to have Ollama set up on your system. Depending on your operating system, instructions vary:

macOS: You can download the macOS installer or install via Homebrew.
Windows: A preview version is available through OllamaSetup.exe.
Linux: Use the following command:
1 2bash curl -fsSL https://ollama.com/install.sh | sh
Or check out the manual install instructions.

Basic Commands

Before we dive into creating custom commands, let’s familiarize ourselves with some of the basic commands of the Ollama CLI:

Run a Model: You can easily run a model by executing
1ollama run llama3.1
. This command launches the Llama model, ready to start processing.
List Available Models: To see which models you have on your system, simply type
1ollama list
.
Pull New Models: Want to add more models to your collection? Use the
1ollama pull <model-name>
command.
Managing Models: Commands like
1ollama rm <model-name>
or
1ollama cp <source> <destination>
allow you to efficiently manage your models.

Creating Custom Commands

Now, let’s get to the heart of the matter: creating your own custom commands! The process is straightforward, but it offers a plethora of possibilities. You’ll be using custom prompts and modifying model parameters to suit your needs. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Creating a Modelfile

Start by creating a

Modelfile

. This file will lay out the instructions for how your model should run. Here's an example of how you could set it up:

```plaintext llama3.1

Set temperature [higher means more creative, lower means more coherent]

PARAMETER temperature 1

Set the system message for the model

SYSTEM """ Mario Super Mario Bros. Answer as Mario, assistant, only. """ ```

This modelfile gives your model context and parameters to ensure it produces the output you desire. You can save it within the directory you’re working in.

Step 2: Create Your Command

Use the following command to create your model with the Modelfile you've built:

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bash
ollama create mario -f ./Modelfile

You can now run this modified model using:

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bash
ollama run mario

Step 3: Advanced Customization

You can take customization a step further by creating commands that allow for dynamic inputs. This is particularly useful when you want to handle variable prompts or function like a personal assistant.

For instance, if you want the model to generate a unique story for your child daily, you might create a base command that queries your Modelfile but gets input directly from an additional prompt:

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bash
ollama run llama3:latest -c "customprompt" "Today's story features a bear not wanting to play with a squirrel."

Best Practices for Custom Commands

As you create and modify commands, here are a few best practices to keep in mind:

Consistency is Key: Establish a naming convention for your commands and stick to it. This will make it easier to find and manage your commands later.
Documentation: Always comment within your Modelfile to explain what each section does. This will be helpful for others (or yourself in the future) when it comes to understanding the model behavior.
Testing: Experiment with different parameters to see how they affect the outputs. Keep notes on what works and what doesn’t.

Utilizing Ollama for Scripting & Automation

Once you’ve mastered custom commands, you might want to incorporate Ollama into your larger automation scripts. For instance, using the command

ollama serve

allows you to host your models as an API, enabling quick access from your applications.

If you ever wondered how you could automate the team to call your models, you can set up a simple background process like this:

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bash
ollama serve &

But keep in mind, you might want to implement a check like

curl localhost:11434

to ensure the server is running before kicking off another command, which could save you from running into timing issues.

Integrating Arsturn's Custom Chatbots

After you've had your fun with the Ollama CLI, you might want to explore how to create even more engaging experiences by integrating Arsturn's capabilities. Arsturn is a fantastic platform that allows you to create custom ChatGPT chatbots for your website.

By leveraging Arsturn, you can:

Boost Engagement: Create AI chat experiences that resonate with your audience.
Analyze Interactions: Utilize insightful analytics to understand user interests and improve the conversation quality.
Customize Branding: Fully adjust your chatbot’s responses and personality to represent your brand's identity.

Here’s how to make it work for you: 1. Define your chatbot’s purpose and appearance using Arsturn's intuitive interface. 2. Upload your data in various formats and train your bot to respond accurately. 3. Dive into engaging conversations with your audience that feel personal and relevant.

Conclusion

Custom commands in the Ollama CLI open up a whole new world of possibilities for your AI interactions. Whether you're creating a personalized chatbot for your toddler, automating responses for your business, or just having fun with AI, these customizations allow you to tailor the experience to your preferences.

So why wait? Dive into the world of Ollama today, and while you're at it, check out Arsturn to elevate your chatbot experience. You’ll find it much easier to create meaningful connections across digital channels without breaking much sweat.

Happy chatting!