# Ollama Optimizer

> Optimize Ollama configuration for the current machine's hardware. Use when asked to speed up Ollama, tune local LLM performance, or pick models that fit available GPU/RAM. Don't use for LM Studio, llama.cpp, vLLM, or hosted-API LLM providers.

- Skill: `luongnv89/ollama-optimizer` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 7 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add luongnv89/ollama-optimizer`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/luongnv89/ollama-optimizer/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: AI & ML
- License: MIT
- Author: luongnv89 (https://skillmd.com/u/luongnv89)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/luongnv89/ollama-optimizer

---


# Ollama Optimizer

Optimize Ollama configuration based on system hardware analysis.

## When to Use

Use this skill when the user asks to optimize Ollama, configure Ollama, speed up Ollama, fix Ollama running slow, set up a local LLM, tune inference speed, reduce memory usage, or select models that fit their GPU/RAM. The skill analyzes hardware (GPU, VRAM, RAM, CPU) and produces tailored recommendations.

Do not use for LM Studio, llama.cpp, vLLM, or hosted-API LLM providers (OpenAI, Anthropic) — those use different runtimes and tuning surfaces.

## Workflow

**Fast path (opt-in only):** only skip full hardware analysis if the user explicitly asks to. Otherwise always run Phases 1-4 and follow the tier-based recommendation — do not apply shortcuts by default, and do not let them override a tier decision already made. For the per-platform shortcut commands and env vars, see [Platform-Specific Setup](references/platform_specific.md) and [Environment Variables](references/environment_variables.md).

### Phase 1: System Detection

Run the detection script to gather hardware information:

```bash
python3 scripts/detect_system.py
```

Parse the JSON output to identify:
- OS and version
- CPU model and core count
- Total RAM / unified memory
- GPU type, VRAM, and driver version
- Current Ollama installation and environment variables
- `hardware_tier` — the script's computed `category`, `max_model_size`, and `recommended_quant`

### Phase 2: Analyze and Recommend

Use `hardware_tier` from Phase 1 as the tier decision. Do not re-derive it; the table below explains what each tier means and which optimizations it implies. Override the script only with an explicit reason (e.g. VRAM shared with a display), and state that reason in the report.

**Hardware Tier Classification:**

| Tier (`category`) | Script band | Max Model | Key Optimizations |
|------|----------|-----------|-------------------|
| `cpu_only` | No GPU detected | 3B | num_thread tuning, Q4_K_M quant |
| `low_vram` | <6GB VRAM | 3B | Flash attention, KV cache q4_0 |
| `entry` | 6-10GB VRAM | 8B | Flash attention, KV cache q8_0 |
| `prosumer` | 10-16GB VRAM | 14B | Flash attention, full offload |
| `workstation` | 16-48GB VRAM | 32B | Standard config, Q5_K_M option |
| `high_end` | 48GB+ VRAM | 70B+ | Multiple models, Q5/Q6 quants |

**Apple Silicon Special Case:**
- Unified memory = shared CPU/GPU RAM; the script tiers it directly from total unified memory
- 8GB Mac → `entry`
- 16GB Mac → `prosumer`
- 32GB Mac → `workstation`; 64GB+ Mac → `high_end`

### Phase 3: Generate Optimization Plan

Create a structured optimization guide with these sections:

#### 1. System Overview
Present detected hardware specs and highlight constraints (e.g., "8GB unified memory limits to 8B models").

#### 2. Dependency Assessment
List what's needed based on the platform:
- macOS: Ollama only (Metal automatic)
- Linux NVIDIA: Ollama + NVIDIA driver 450+
- Linux AMD: Ollama + ROCm 5.0+
- Windows: Ollama + NVIDIA driver 452+

#### 3. Configuration Recommendations

**Essential environment variables:**
```bash
# Always recommended
export OLLAMA_FLASH_ATTENTION=1

# Memory-constrained systems (<12GB)
export OLLAMA_KV_CACHE_TYPE=q8_0  # or q4_0 for severe constraints
```

**Model selection guidance:**
- Recommend specific models from `ollama list` output
- Suggest appropriate quantization (Q4_K_M default, Q5_K_M if headroom exists)
- Warn if current models exceed hardware capacity

**Modelfile tuning (when needed):**
```
PARAMETER num_gpu <layers>    # Partial offload for limited VRAM
PARAMETER num_thread <cores>  # CPU threads (physical cores, not hyperthreads)
PARAMETER num_ctx <size>      # Reduce context for memory savings
```

#### 4. Execution Checklist
Provide copy-paste commands in order:
1. Back up the shell init file the user actually uses (`$SHELL` decides: `~/.zshrc`, `~/.bashrc`, or `~/.bash_profile`) and append the env vars:
   ```bash
   RC=~/.zshrc  # or ~/.bashrc / ~/.bash_profile, matching $SHELL
   cp "$RC" "$RC.ollama-bak"
   printf '\n# ollama-optimizer start\nexport OLLAMA_FLASH_ATTENTION=1\n<KV cache + other export lines from section 3, per tier>\n# ollama-optimizer end\n' >> "$RC"
   ```
2. Restart Ollama service
3. Pull recommended models
4. Test with `ollama run <model> --verbose`
5. Rollback (one command, same file as step 1): `cp ~/.zshrc.ollama-bak ~/.zshrc` — then restart Ollama.

### Phase 4: Verification

```bash
# Benchmark current performance
python3 scripts/benchmark_ollama.py --model <model>
# Expected output: tokens/s and generation latency — record as the post-tuning baseline.

# Check GPU memory usage (NVIDIA)
nvidia-smi

# Verify config is applied
ollama run <model> "test" --verbose 2>&1 | head -20
```

## Acceptance Criteria

A run passes when **all** of the following are true:

- [ ] Hardware tier (CPU-only / Low-VRAM / Entry / Prosumer / Workstation / High-end) is identified explicitly in the report.
- [ ] Recommended model size fits within detected VRAM/unified-memory budget (no recommending a 14B model on an 8GB Mac).
- [ ] Required Ollama environment variables (e.g., `OLLAMA_FLASH_ATTENTION`, KV-cache quantisation) are written to a shell init file the user actually uses, with a backup of the prior file.
- [ ] Apple Silicon special case is applied when detected — unified memory is not double-counted as separate VRAM + RAM.
- [ ] Verification step runs `ollama run <model>` with `--verbose` and captures the actual offload/cache numbers.
- [ ] Rollback instructions are included so the user can revert all env changes with one command.

## Step Completion Reports

After completing each major step, output a status report in this format:

```
◆ [Step Name] ([step N of M] — [context])
··································································
  [Check 1]:          √ pass
  [Check 2]:          √ pass (note if relevant)
  [Check 3]:          × fail — [reason]
  [Check 4]:          √ pass
  [Criteria]:         √ N/M met
  ____________________________
  Result:             PASS | FAIL | PARTIAL
```

Adapt the check names to match what the step actually validates. Use `√` for pass, `×` for fail, and `—` to add brief context. The "Criteria" line summarizes how many acceptance criteria were met. The "Result" line gives the overall verdict.

### Detection (step 1 of 4)

```
◆ Detection (step 1 of 4 — hardware profiling)
··································································
  Hardware detected:      √ pass — macOS 14, Apple M2
  GPU identified:         √ pass — Apple Metal (unified memory)
  RAM measured:           √ pass — 16GB unified memory
  [Criteria]:             √ 3/3 met
  ____________________________
  Result:                 PASS
```

### Analysis (step 2 of 4)

```
◆ Analysis (step 2 of 4 — profile selection)
··································································
  Tier classified:        √ pass — Prosumer (16GB unified)
  Profile selected:       √ pass — Flash attention, full offload
  Bottlenecks identified: √ pass — memory bandwidth primary constraint
  [Criteria]:             √ 3/3 met
  ____________________________
  Result:                 PASS
```

### Plan (step 3 of 4)

```
◆ Plan (step 3 of 4 — optimization guide)
··································································
  Guide generated:        √ pass — ollama-optimization-guide.md written
  Parameters tuned:       √ pass — OLLAMA_FLASH_ATTENTION=1, KV_CACHE_TYPE=q8_0
  Model recommendations ready: √ pass — llama3.1:14b-instruct-q4_K_M suggested
  [Criteria]:             √ 3/3 met
  ____________________________
  Result:                 PASS
```

### Verification (step 4 of 4)

```
◆ Verification (step 4 of 4 — config validation)
··································································
  Benchmark commands listed: √ pass — python3 scripts/benchmark_ollama.py
  Config verified:        √ pass — ollama run --verbose output checked
  [Criteria]:             √ 2/2 met
  ____________________________
  Result:                 PASS
```

## Reference Files

- [VRAM Requirements](references/vram_requirements.md) - Model sizing and quantization guide
- [Environment Variables](references/environment_variables.md) - Complete env var reference
- [Platform-Specific Setup](references/platform_specific.md) - OS-specific installation and configuration

## Expected Output

Generate an `ollama-optimization-guide.md` file. Ask the user where to save it (suggest `~/.config/ollama/optimization-guide.md` or current directory). Contents:

```markdown
# Ollama Optimization Guide

**Generated:** <timestamp>
**System:** <OS> | <CPU> | <RAM>GB RAM | <GPU>

## System Overview
<hardware summary and constraints>

## Current Configuration
<existing Ollama setup and env vars>

## Recommendations

### Environment Variables
<shell commands to set vars>

### Model Selection
<recommended models with rationale>

### Performance Tuning
<Modelfile adjustments if needed>

## Execution Checklist
- [ ] <step 1>
- [ ] <step 2>
...

## Verification
<benchmark commands and expected results>

## Rollback
<commands to revert changes if needed>
```