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Getting Started with Cortex

Welcome to Cortex! While setting up a local AI application might seem intimidating at first, this guide breaks it down into simple steps. The process to install the necessary components and download a model is very straightforward and requires no technical expertise.

Overview

Cortex is a desktop application that provides an interface for interacting with powerful language models. To function, it relies on a background service called Ollama, which manages and runs these models locally on your machine.

System Requirements

Before you begin, please ensure your computer meets the following requirements:

  • Operating System: Windows, macOS, or Linux.
  • Storage: At least 10 GB of free hard drive space is recommended to start. Note: The language models required by this program can be very large, ranging from 4 GB to over 100 GB. Please verify you have sufficient disk space before downloading a model.
  • Memory (RAM): A minimum of 8 GB of RAM is required, but 16 GB or more is highly recommended for a smoother experience, especially with larger models.

Installation and Setup

Follow these three steps carefully to get Cortex running.

Step 1: Install Ollama

Cortex cannot run without Ollama. Think of Ollama as the engine that powers the application. This is a simple, one-time installation.

  1. Visit the official Ollama website: https://ollama.com
  2. Download the installer for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
  3. Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions.
  4. Once installed, Ollama will run in the background. You should see its icon in your system tray (usually at the bottom-right on Windows or top-right on macOS).

Step 2: Download a Language Model

Next, you need to download a model. The model is the "brain" that Cortex interacts with. This is done with a single command.

  1. Open your computer's command line application:

    • On Windows: Search for Command Prompt or PowerShell in the Start Menu and open it.
    • On macOS or Linux: Search for Terminal and open it.

  2. In the command line window, type the following command and press Enter. We recommend starting with the qwen2:7b model, which offers a great balance of performance and size.

    ollama run qwen3:8b

  3. Ollama will begin downloading the model. This may take some time depending on your internet speed and the model's size. You will see a progress bar.

  4. Once the download is complete, you can close the command line window. You can browse for other models to download on the Ollama Model Library.

Important: Each model you download will consume significant hard drive space. Always check the model size in the library before downloading.

Step 3: Download and Run Cortex

Now you are ready to download the main application.

  1. Download the Cortex application from the following link:

  2. Save the Cortex.exe file to a convenient location, such as your Desktop or a new folder.

  3. Ensure Ollama is running in the background (check for its icon in your system tray).

  4. Double-click Cortex.exe to launch the application.

You are now ready to use Cortex. The application will automatically detect the models you have downloaded via Ollama.

Common Issues

  • "Ollama is not running."

    • Make sure you have installed Ollama and that it is active. Try restarting the Ollama application or your computer.

  • "No models found."

    • This means you have not yet downloaded a model. Please follow the instructions in Step 2: Download a Language Model.

  • The application is running slowly.

    • The performance of Cortex depends heavily on your computer's hardware (RAM and CPU/GPU) and the size of the model you are using. Larger models require more powerful computers to run efficiently. Consider using a smaller model for better performance.