macOS Installation Guide

Install Askimo for Ollama on macOS

Complete guide to install Askimo desktop client for Ollama on Mac. Native macOS application with advanced features like RAG, chat search, custom directives, and seamless model switching. Supports both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.

Download for macOS Learn More About Ollama Support

Compatible with: macOS 11.0 (Big Sur) or later, both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.

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Prerequisites

1. Install Ollama on macOS

Before installing Askimo, you need to have Ollama installed on your Mac.

Option 1: Download from Ollama website (Recommended)

Visit ollama.com/download and download the macOS installer.

Option 2: Install via Homebrew

brew install ollama

Verify installation: ollama --version

2. System Requirements

  • macOS: 11.0 (Big Sur) or later
  • Architecture: Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3) or Intel
  • RAM: 8GB minimum (16GB recommended for larger models)
  • Disk: 10GB+ free space

Installation Steps

Method 1: Install via DMG (Recommended)

The easiest way to install Askimo on macOS.

1

Download the DMG file

Choose the correct version for your Mac:

For Apple Silicon:

Askimo-Desktop-macos-arm64.dmg

For Intel Macs:

Askimo-Desktop-macos-x64.dmg
2

Open the DMG file

Double-click the downloaded DMG file to mount it.

3

Install Askimo

Drag the Askimo icon to the Applications folder.

4

Launch Askimo

Open Askimo from your Applications folder or Spotlight.

First launch: macOS may show a security prompt. Click "Open" to continue. The app is signed and notarized by Apple.

Method 2: Run JAR File

Alternative method if you prefer running from Terminal or have Java installed.

Step 1: Install Java (if not installed)

brew install openjdk@21

Step 2: Download the JAR file

Choose based on your Mac's architecture:

# Apple Silicon
wget https://github.com/haiphucnguyen/askimo/releases/latest/download/askimo-desktop-macos-arm64.jar
# Intel Mac
wget https://github.com/haiphucnguyen/askimo/releases/latest/download/askimo-desktop-macos-x64.jar

Step 3: Run Askimo

java -jar askimo-desktop-macos-arm64.jar # or askimo-desktop-macos-x64.jar

Post-Installation Setup

Configure Ollama Connection

  1. 1 Launch Askimo from your Applications folder
  2. 2 Go to Settings → Providers
  3. 3 Enable Ollama and verify the connection (default: http://localhost:11434)
  4. 4 Select your preferred Ollama model (e.g., llama3, mistral, codellama)

Download Ollama Models

Download models you want to use with Askimo:

ollama pull llama3
ollama pull mistral
ollama pull codellama

Browse all available models at ollama.com/library

Why Use Askimo with Ollama on macOS?

Native macOS App

True native Mac application with full support for macOS features, keyboard shortcuts, and Apple Silicon optimization.

Advanced Chat Search

Search across all conversations instantly with Spotlight-like search. Find past discussions, code, or ideas.

RAG Support

Chat with your local files and documents. Upload PDFs, code, or notes for context-aware conversations.

CLI + GUI Workflows

Combine desktop GUI with powerful CLI for automation, scripts, and advanced workflows on your Mac.

Custom Directives

Create reusable prompts and directives for your common tasks and workflows.

Switch AI Models

Not locked to Ollama. Also supports OpenAI, Claude, Gemini, and other providers in one app.

Troubleshooting

Askimo can't connect to Ollama

Ensure Ollama is running. Check the menu bar for the Ollama icon, or start it manually:

ollama serve

macOS security warning

If macOS prevents opening Askimo:

  1. Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security
  2. Scroll down to the Security section
  3. Click "Open Anyway" next to the Askimo message
  4. Confirm by clicking "Open"

Which architecture do I have?

Check your Mac's processor:

uname -m
  • arm64 = Apple Silicon
  • x86_64 = Intel

Ready to Install Askimo on macOS?

Get the most powerful desktop client for Ollama on Mac with RAG, chat search, and multi-model support.

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