What Is KoboldAI and What Does It Offer?

Updated

KoboldAI is a collection of tools for running and using AI language models, built around four components: KoboldCPP, KoboldAI Lite, KoboldAI.net, and the community around them. It suits people who want to run an LLM locally, connect to their own API endpoint, or use a hosted web interface without installing anything.

The four foundations

The site describes KoboldAI as delivering "four solid foundations for your local AI needs." In practice, the main pieces are:

Component What it is Who it's for
KoboldCPP A local LLM API server that drives your backend Users who want to run models on their own hardware
KoboldAI Lite A lightweight, user-friendly interface for accessing AI API endpoints Users who need a front end to talk to a backend
KoboldAI.net KoboldAI Lite delivered as a free web service, with the same flexibility as running it locally Users who want to try it without a local install
Discord Server Community for support, discussions, and sharing Anyone who wants help or wants to compare setups

How the pieces fit together

The architecture is a backend-plus-interface split:

  • KoboldCPP is the backend. It runs as a local API server. You point it at a model, and it exposes an endpoint your interface can call.
  • KoboldAI Lite is the front end. It connects to an API endpoint — your own KoboldCPP instance, or another compatible one — and gives you the chat/generation interface.
  • KoboldAI.net is the same front end, hosted. The site states it delivers KoboldAI Lite as a web service "for free with the same flexibilities as running it locally." That means you can use the interface in a browser and still point it at whatever endpoint you choose.

This split is the key idea: the interface and the model server are separate, so you can mix a hosted UI with a local model, or a local UI with a remote endpoint.

Getting started

The site points new users to a Start section covering "everything you want to know for your start with KoboldAI's solutions," plus a KoboldAI Quickstart guide. Downloads for KoboldCPP are available for Windows, Linux, and Mac through the official downloads page linked from the site.

If you only want to try the interface first, KoboldAI.net requires no local installation. If you want full local control over the model and your data, KoboldCPP is the component to set up.

Beyond the basics

The documentation also covers areas that matter once you're past the first run:

  • Supported models — which models work with the stack
  • Hardware options — what hardware is compatible with Kobold
  • Networking — connecting components across machines
  • KoboldCpp on Google Colab and on Runpod — running the backend on rented cloud GPUs instead of local hardware
  • Horde Worker — contributing compute to a distributed network
  • Image generation, audio, and API usage
  • AI Safety and Administration guides

Which piece should you start with?

  • Just want to try it: use KoboldAI.net in your browser.
  • Want local models and privacy: install KoboldCPP, then connect KoboldAI Lite to it.
  • No capable GPU but want local-style control: run KoboldCPP on Google Colab or Runpod, then connect your interface to that endpoint.
  • Need help or want to compare setups: join the Discord server.

The site does not publish pricing details for its components; KoboldAI.net is described as a free web service, while local and cloud-hosted options depend on your own hardware or the cloud provider you choose.