Ollama Local Setup (Mac + Windows)

Use this skill when the user asks to install a local model, avoid downloading at runtime, or deploy a system prompt for a chatbot.

What This Skill Does

•Installs Ollama on macOS or Windows
•Adds a local model (with optional offline model copy)
•Creates a custom model with a system prompt
•Verifies the model is running

macOS Install

•Download the macOS installer from https://ollama.com/download/mac
•Drag Ollama.app into Applications
•Launch Ollama once to allow it to add the CLI link
•Verify in Terminal:

code

ollama --version

Windows Install

•Download the Windows installer from https://ollama.com/download
•Run the installer and finish setup
•Open PowerShell and verify:

code

ollama --version

Add Model (Online Pull)

code

ollama pull llama3.2:1b

Add Model (Offline Copy)

If you already have the model files, copy them into the Ollama model directory.

macOS:

•
Copy the models folder into:
- •~/.ollama/models

Windows:

•
Copy the models folder into:
- •%USERPROFILE%\.ollama\models

Then verify:

code

ollama list

Create Custom Model With System Prompt

•Create a file named Modelfile:

code

FROM llama3.2:1b
SYSTEM """
You are an academic presentation coach for PhD students. Help them craft clear, rigorous, and engaging research talks.

Focus on:
1. Core contribution and novelty
2. Research question, methods, and evidence
3. Slide structure and narrative flow
4. Concise wording and visual clarity
5. Anticipating questions and limitations

Ask one focused question at a time. Keep responses concise, actionable, and tailored to the student's field and audience.
"""

•Create the model:

code

ollama create phd-presentation-coach -f Modelfile

•Run it:

code

ollama run phd-presentation-coach

Run the API Server

code

ollama serve

API endpoint:

•http://localhost:11434/api/chat

Quick Test Prompt

code

ollama run phd-presentation-coach "ok"