AI Chat
Klee
Native macOS chat app running LLMs fully locally on Apple Silicon.
★ 1.8k starsCustom
View guide →A native macOS app to chat with a local LLM over your own files, folders and websites.
Sidekick is an open-source ai chat project by johnbean393 (johnbean393/Sidekick on GitHub). It has 3,317 GitHub stars and 149 forks, is released under the MIT license, and was last updated on GitHub on 30 September 2026.
Decide the first concrete outcome you want from it, so you can pick the right example, template or mode instead of exploring everything at once.
Clone the repository (or install the published package) and skim its README quick start for the requirements for your platform.
Run the documented install step and set any required configuration — such as provider keys, data sources or local services — before the first run.
Execute the smallest documented example end to end, confirm the output is what you expected, then adapt it to your real data or workflow.
Ask questions grounded in files, folders and websites on your Mac, powered by llama.cpp.
A deep-research mode for longer, source-backed investigations.
Tool use plus persistent memory across conversations.
Work on documents in a canvas and generate images from within the app.
Advanced Markdown with LaTeX, data visualisation and code display.
Optionally connect cloud models with your own key when local models are not enough.
Get the source so you can inspect, configure and run it locally.
git clone https://github.com/johnbean393/Sidekick.git
cd SidekickInstall the cask via Homebrew, or download the app from the project site/Releases.
brew install --cask arcadi4/tap/sidekick-aiLaunch Sidekick, let it load a local model, and point it at a folder or website to start asking questions.
# Open Sidekick.app and follow the in-app setup — see README InstallationIt is maintained by johnbean393 on GitHub (johnbean393/Sidekick), where the source, issues and releases live.
Yes — it is free and open source under the MIT licence, which permits use, modification and redistribution, including commercially, with attribution.
No key is required for local models; an API key is only needed if you choose to add a cloud provider.
Compared with LM Studio or Ollama plus a separate chat UI, Sidekick's distinguishing focus is: a native macOS app to chat with a local LLM over your own files, folders and websites. Pick it when that focus matches your need; the alternative may suit you better if its broader or different scope is the priority.
Clone https://github.com/johnbean393/Sidekick (or install its published package), follow the README quick start to install and configure it, then run the smallest documented example — the Run section on this page mirrors those steps.
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