Open Choose a language model in the Get started card on ToolPiper's Home pane and take the model it recommends: it is sized for this Mac's memory. ToolPiper offers what you already have first, a suitable model already on your Mac or a cloud provider you have already added, and otherwise a download it recommends. One click uses it. The step is done once the model's files are on your Mac, or once the cloud provider you chose has its key.
What it recommends
- A model already on your Mac. A chat model from the Gemma 4 or Qwen 3 or later families, imported or found in another app's library, is offered with a Use button that names it, and needs no download. ToolPiper picks the largest one that runs well here.
- A cloud provider you already added, with its key and on your plan, is offered next, its Use button naming the provider.
- Otherwise, a starter download chosen for this Mac's memory, with its download size and how well it fits.
Choose another lists every other model in ToolPiper's catalog this Mac can run, largest first, each with its size and fit. A model too large for this Mac is not offered, and neither is one already on it.
Using a cloud provider
Add a cloud provider (its button reads Connect) saves the provider's key in ToolPiper's Credentials and then the provider itself, and a provider that can answer becomes your language model. Requests then go to that provider. Among the providers you already have, one whose key is missing shows Add key, because it could not answer yet.
Using a model file you have
Import a model from disk (its button reads Import…) adds a GGUF model file you already downloaded, and it can then be used like any other model on your Mac.
Changing it later
Once the step is done it shows the model's name. Change picks another model or provider, and Clear selection forgets the choice so the step offers a fresh recommendation. Clearing never deletes a model's files.