Show HN: Local LLM Notepad – run a GPT-style model from a USB stick
github.comWhat it is A single 45 MB Windows .exe that embeds llama.cpp and a minimal Tk UI. Copy it (plus any .gguf model) to a flash drive, double-click on any Windows PC, and you’re chatting with an LLM—no admin rights, Cloud, or network.
Why I built it Existing “local LLM” GUIs assume you can pip install, pass long CLI flags, or download GBs of extras.
I wanted something my less-technical colleagues could run during a client visit by literally plugging in a USB drive.
How it works PyInstaller one-file build → bundles Python runtime, llama_cpp_python, and the UI into a single PE.
On first launch, it memory-maps the .gguf; subsequent prompts stream at ~20 tok/s on an i7-10750H with gemma-3-1b-it-Q4_K_M.gguf (0.8 GB).
Tick-driven render loop keeps the UI responsive while llama.cpp crunches.
A parser bold-underlines every token that originated in the prompt; Ctrl+click pops a “source viewer” to trace facts. (Helps spot hallucinations fast.)
> walk up to any computer
Windows users seem to think their OS is ubiquitous. But in fact for most hackers reading this site, using Windows is a huge step backwards in productivity and capability.
Surely you're hinting at Linux, in which case this runs fine with WINE
However the facts speak otherwise? Windows at 70%+ versus 4.1% for Linux globally. https://gs.statcounter.com/os-market-share/desktop/worldwide
Interesting, will definitely try it. What can be expected? What other models do perform ok with this?
Wonder if you can use/interface with those coral accelerator boards
Why not llamafile? Runs on everything from toothbrushes to toasters...