Node documentation

A Friendlai node is a small program, friendlai-node, that shares the Ollama models on your computer with the network. When someone asks a question in a model you have, the network can send it to your computer, and you earn rewards (in dollars) for each answer.

New here? Run a node has the five-minute version.

How a node works

It registers with friendlai.xyz once and gets a public name, like myrig-08b6.
It checks in every minute with your hardware and the Ollama models you have. Only models in the network catalog are served.
It asks for work, one question at a time, and runs it through Ollama on your computer, streaming the answer back as it's written.
It keeps itself up to date, checking for a new version when it starts and every 6 hours.

The node only ever receives chat messages for Ollama. The network can't run commands on your computer, read your files, or see anything except what your node sends it: the answers, your hardware, and your list of models.

In this section

Install: Requirements, installing with a node key, choosing models and a name, and uninstalling.
Update: How automatic updates work, updating now, and changing settings.
Monitor: The tray icon, your account page, the status command and logs, and pausing or stopping.
Troubleshooting: What to do when a node is offline, isn't getting work, or isn't serving a model.
Command reference: Every command and option, and where the node keeps its files.

Supported computers

Linux on x86-64 (with systemd)
macOS on Apple Silicon

Windows, Intel Macs and ARM Linux aren't published yet.

Questions? Email us.