Installing Ollama, Open-webui & Docker
Your Complete AI Toolkit Setup
Tired of fragmented AI tools with complex installations? Follow our step-by-step guide to create a seamless, integrated local AI environment on Windows 11 in under an hour.
AI Toolkit Installation
A comprehensive guide to installing and configuring Ollama, Open-webui, and Docker Desktop on Windows 11.
Tutorial Series
Setting Up Your Local AI Environment
In this tutorial, we'll walk through the complete installation and configuration of three essential tools for your local AI environment: Ollama, Open-webui, and Docker Desktop. This combination provides a powerful and flexible foundation for running AI models locally.
Installing Docker Desktop
Docker Desktop is a crucial component that allows us to run containerized applications:
- Download Docker Desktop for Windows
- Configure WSL 2 backend for optimal performance
- Set resource allocation for containers
- Test your Docker installation
Setting Up Ollama
Ollama is a lightweight tool for running large language models locally:
- Install Ollama for Windows 11
- Configure model storage location
- Pull your first language model
- Test basic model functionality
Configuring Open-webui
Open-webui provides a user-friendly interface for interacting with your local models:
- Install Open-webui using Docker
- Connect Open-webui to Ollama
- Customize the interface settings
- Create your first chat session
In the following sections, we'll provide detailed step-by-step instructions for each installation process, along with troubleshooting tips for common issues.
Installing Ollama, Open-webui, and Docker Desktop
Welcome to Part 2 of setting up your Windows 11 PC for AI development! In this guide, you'll install three essential tools—Ollama, Open-webui, and Docker Desktop—to manage AI models efficiently and interact with them through a user-friendly interface.
Step 1: Install Ollama
Ollama acts as a personal AI librarian—helping you organize and quickly access AI models while handling complex tasks behind the scenes.
Installing Ollama on Windows 11:
- Download Ollama from the official website.
- Run the installer and follow the on-screen prompts.
- Verify the installation by opening PowerShell and running:
ollama --version
If the version displays correctly, Ollama is installed and ready to use.
Step 2: Download Essential Ollama LLMs
Now that Ollama is installed, let's download key Large Language Models (LLMs) for different AI tasks. Each model is specialized for unique purposes—having a variety ensures flexibility.
Run the following commands in PowerShell to download these models:
ollama run llama3.3 # General-purpose AI model ollama run qwen-coder2.5 # Code generation and programming assistance ollama run starcoder # Software development and debugging ollama run deepseek # Deep learning and research✅ Llama 3.3
A versatile AI model for general use.
✅ Qwen Coder 2.5
Perfect for generating code and assisting with programming.
✅ Starcoder
Ideal for advanced software development and debugging.
✅ DeepSeek
Best suited for deep learning and research tasks.
With these models stored locally, you can switch between them as needed for various projects.
NEW: Llama 4 Models Now Available!
Meta has released Llama 4, their most advanced open LLM family yet. These models deliver significant improvements in reasoning, coding, and multilingual capabilities.
Llama 4 Highlights:
- •Available in 8B, 70B and 405B parameter sizes
- •Enhanced reasoning and problem-solving capabilities
- •Improved code generation and debugging
- •Better multilingual support across 30+ languages
- •Reduced hallucinations and improved factuality
To try Llama 4 models with Ollama, use the following commands:
ollama run llama4 # Latest Llama 4 base model ollama run llama4-instruct # Instruction-tuned version ollama run llama4-code # Optimized for coding tasksHugging Face – Meta Llama 4 Collection
Explore the complete collection of Llama 4 models and fine-tuned variants on Hugging Face.
Llama 4 Official Overview
Read the official documentation and technical details about Llama 4's capabilities and improvements.
Note: Llama 4 models require more system resources than earlier versions. For optimal performance, we recommend at least 16GB RAM for the 8B model and 32GB+ for larger variants.
Step 3: Install Docker Desktop
Docker Desktop acts as a digital toolbox that helps you run multiple AI environments without interference. It ensures smooth performance and prevents resource conflicts.
Installing Docker Desktop on Windows 11:
- Download Docker Desktop from the official website.
- Run the installer and complete the installation process.
- Enable the WSL 2-based engine when prompted.
- Restart your PC to finalize the setup.
- Verify Docker is running by executing the following command in PowerShell:
docker --version
If Docker is installed correctly, it will display the version number.
Troubleshooting Tip:
If Docker doesn't start, ensure Virtualization is enabled in your BIOS settings and that WSL 2 is correctly installed.
Step 4: Install Open-webui
Open-webui provides an intuitive web-based dashboard to interact with your AI models, making it easier to manage and control your local LLMs.
Installing Open-webui on Windows 11:
- Open PowerShell and clone the Open-webui repository:
git clone https://github.com/open-webui/open-webui.git - Navigate to the cloned directory:
cd open-webui - Install required dependencies:
npm install - Start the Open-webui application:
npm run start - Open your browser and navigate to:
http://localhost:3000
You now have a user-friendly dashboard to manage and interact with your AI models effortlessly.
✅ What You've Accomplished
By completing these steps, you've successfully set up:
- •Ollama – For managing AI models locally.
- •Essential LLMs – Key AI models tailored to various tasks.
- •Docker Desktop – For creating isolated environments and improving performance.
- •Open-webui – A simple and intuitive web interface to control your AI models.
You're now fully equipped to dive into AI-powered development with a local-first, privacy-centric setup. 🚀
Next up: Installing Bolt.diy for AI-powered coding. Stay tuned for even more powerful tools to elevate your development workflow! 🔥