# hob (FrigadeHQ/hob)

> Hob is a free, open-source desktop app that lets you use open-weight AI models like Gemma and gpt-oss locally on Mac, Windows and Linux, as an alternative to Claude and ChatGPT. It is private and works offline.

- GitHub: https://github.com/FrigadeHQ/hob
- GitHub.Locker page: https://github.locker/FrigadeHQ/hob
- Stars: 453
- Language: TypeScript
- License: MIT
- Last push: 2026-10-30

## Questions and answers

Written by GitHub.Locker from the README and the repository; check the README below for details.

**Is it a chat app or something else?**

It is a desktop chat-style app built with Electron, and it can also handle document work like filling out PDFs. Hob picks the best open-weight model that fits your computer and sets it up for you.

**How do I get it running?**

Download the installer for your platform from the project's download page. Hob then picks and configures a model that fits your computer automatically.

**Does my data leave my computer?**

The README says it is private and works offline, which suggests models run locally on your machine. Details on data handling are not stated in the README.

**Which models does it use?**

Hob runs open-weight models such as Gemma and gpt-oss, and picks the strongest one that fits your hardware.

**Can it work with my own files and documents?**

Yes, the README highlights working through documents and filling out PDFs locally on your machine.

**Is it built on llama.cpp?**

The project's topics list llama-cpp, which suggests it uses llama.cpp to run the local models.


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## README (checked against GitHub 2026-11-03)

Source: https://github.com/FrigadeHQ/hob/blob/main/README.md

<p align="center">
  <img src="docs/assets/hob-logo.png" width="96" height="96" alt="Hob">
</p>

<h1 align="center">Hob</h1>

<p align="center">
  An easier way to use AI on your own computer.<br>
  A free, open-source alternative to Claude and ChatGPT.
</p>

<p align="center">
  <a href="https://hob.chat?utm_source=github&utm_medium=readme&utm_campaign=hob"><b>Visit hob.chat →</b></a> &nbsp;·&nbsp;
  Download for <a href="https://github.com/FrigadeHQ/hob/releases/latest/download/Hob-mac-arm64.dmg">Mac</a> · <a href="https://github.com/FrigadeHQ/hob/releases/latest/download/Hob-windows-x64.exe">Windows</a> · <a href="https://github.com/FrigadeHQ/hob/releases/latest/download/Hob-linux-x86_64.AppImage">Linux</a><br>
</p>

<br>

<p align="center">
  <img src="docs/assets/screenshot.png" width="946" alt="Hob reading a sales spreadsheet in a project, charting revenue by region and summing up what stands out">
</p>

<br>

<p align="center">
  Fill out PDFs, work through documents, and much more. Free, private, and works offline.<br>
  Hob picks the best frontier open-weight model that fits your computer and sets everything up for you.
</p>
<p></p>
<p align="center">
  <a href="docs/README.md">Help</a> · <a href="CONTRIBUTING.md">Contributing</a> · <a href="LICENSE">MIT license</a><br><br>
  Made by <a href="https://frigade.com?utm_source=github&utm_medium=readme&utm_campaign=hob">Frigade</a>.
</p>