Training a model with getitune
getitune is a low-code transfer-learning library. Training is driven by an
Engine created with create_engine(...), which pairs a model/recipe with a
dataset and returns a runnable engine. Recipes (YAML under
library/src/getitune/recipe/<task>/) bundle model + data pipeline + training
config, so a model name alone gives a strong baseline.
There are two equal entry points that share the same objects and recipes:
- Python API —
from getitune.engine import create_engine, thenengine.train()/engine.test(). Preferred for notebooks, scripts, tests, and library integration. Seelibrary/README.md("Quick Start") and the getitune documentation. - CLI —
getitune train --data_root <path> --model <name|recipe.yaml>. Preferred for reproducible experiments and shell workflows. Seegetitune train --helpand the getitune documentation.
Run everything from library/. Install with the extra that matches your
hardware: uv sync (cpu), uv sync --extra xpu, or uv sync --extra cuda.
Python API workflow
from getitune.engine import create_engine
engine = create_engine(
model="efficientnet_b0", # model name, recipe .yaml path, or model class
data="/path/to/dataset_root", # dataset root (COCO/YOLO/VOC/native), auto-detected
work_dir="./my_workspace", # checkpoints + logs; defaults to ./getitune-workspace
device="auto", # "auto", "cpu", "gpu", "xpu", "cuda", "0", ...
)
engine.train(max_epochs=50)
engine.test()
- Pick the model/recipe. Pass a model name (
"efficientnet_b0"), a recipe path ("src/getitune/recipe/detection/yolox_s.yaml"), or a model class. If a name matches recipes under several tasks, passtask=(e.g.task="DETECTION") to disambiguate. Use thegetitune-discovering-modelsskill to list options.- Done when:
create_engine(...)returns without aValueError/FileNotFoundError.
- Done when:
- Point
data=at the dataset root. Format is auto-detected by Datumaro; see thegetitune-preparing-datasetsskill.- Done when: the engine builds a datamodule without a format/feature error.
- Smoke-test the wiring first with a tiny run (
engine.train(max_epochs=1)or a small subset) before a long run.- Done when: one train + one validation pass complete without shape errors.
- Train, overriding hyperparameters as needed
(
engine.train(max_epochs=50)).- Done when: checkpoints appear under
work_dir.
- Done when: checkpoints appear under
- Evaluate with
engine.test()and confirm the task metric moves, not just loss. Record the model +work_dirthat produced it.
Warm-start from existing weights with
create_engine(..., checkpoint="/path/to/weights.pt").
CLI workflow
# from library/
# 1. Simplest: data only — getitune picks a default model for the task
getitune train --data_root /path/to/dataset
# 2. Choose a model or recipe
getitune train --data_root /path/to/dataset --model yolox_s
# 3. Override hyperparameters
getitune train --data_root /path/to/dataset --model yolox_s \
--max_epochs 200 --checkpoint /path/to/weights.pt
# 4. Run a full, resolved config file
getitune train --data_root /path/to/dataset --config src/getitune/recipe/detection/yolox_s.yaml
getitune test and getitune predict share the same --model / --data_root
shape. Use getitune <cmd> --help -v (and -vv) for the full overridable
argument list.
Choosing a device
device="auto"selects an available accelerator; force with"cpu","gpu","xpu","cuda", or an index like"0".- The device must match the installed extra —
--extra xpufor Intel GPUs,--extra cudafor NVIDIA. Guard nothing yourself; the library handles capability checks.
Debugging a run
- Run one epoch on a small dataset first to isolate construction vs. dataloading vs. training failures.
- Shape/feature mismatches usually mean the dataset's labels or task disagree
with the model — recheck
task=and the dataset format (getitune-preparing-datasets). - Dataset auto-detection failures: confirm the folder matches one supported layout (COCO/YOLO/VOC/native).
Verify
# from library/
just lint
just test-unit -- -k engine # when you changed engine/training code
For API-facing work, add or run a short Python smoke test that calls
create_engine(...) + engine.train(max_epochs=1) on a tiny fixture rather than
a long real run.
Related skills
getitune-discovering-models— list models/recipes and disambiguate by task.getitune-preparing-datasets— thedata=half of the engine.getitune-exporting-a-model— export a trained checkpoint to OpenVINO/ONNX.getitune-running-inference— run predictions with a trained or exported model.geti-library-dev— when the library/model code itself needs changes.