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Auto Bot Solutions edited this page Apr 26, 2026 · 1 revision

This guide covers how to use Chat Linux Client for your daily AI interactions.

Table of Contents

Getting Started

Launching the Application

# Using the run script
./scripts/run.sh

# Or directly with Python
python main.py

First Run

On first launch:

  1. The application will check system requirements
  2. Available models will be loaded into the dropdown
  3. You'll see the main chat interface

Basic Chat

Sending a Message

  1. Type your message in the input field at the bottom
  2. Press Enter or click the Send button
  3. The AI response will appear in the chat area

Reading Responses

  • Responses are rendered with Markdown formatting
  • Code blocks are highlighted
  • Streaming responses appear token-by-token in real-time

Starting a New Chat

Click the New Chat button in the toolbar or:

  • Press Ctrl+N (Linux)
  • Select File > New Chat from the menu

Model Selection

Choosing a Model

  1. Click the model dropdown in the toolbar
  2. Select your preferred model from the list
  3. Models are listed as provider/model-name

Model Types

  • Local Models (ollama/*): Work offline, no API key needed
  • Cloud Models: Require API keys, often more capable

Recommended Models by Use Case

For Speed:

  • ollama/llama3.2:1b - Fastest, lightweight
  • groq/llama-3.1-8b-instant - Ultra-fast cloud

For Quality:

  • ollama/mistral:7b - Best local model
  • openai/gpt-4o - Best cloud model (requires API key)

For Cost:

  • ollama/* - Free, runs locally
  • huggingface/* - Many free models

Advanced Features

Intelligent Routing

Enable automatic model selection based on your needs:

  1. Open Settings
  2. Choose a Routing Strategy:
    • OFFLINE_FIRST: Prefer local models
    • SPEED_OPTIMAL: Prefer fast models
    • COST_OPTIMAL: Prefer free options
    • QUALITY_OPTIMAL: Prefer capable models

Temperature Control

Adjust response creativity:

  1. Open Settings
  2. Set Temperature (0.0 - 2.0):
    • 0.0-0.3: Focused, deterministic
    • 0.4-0.7: Balanced (default)
    • 0.8-1.0: Creative, varied
    • 1.0+: Very creative, less predictable

Max Tokens

Limit response length:

  1. Open Settings
  2. Set Max Tokens:
    • 0: Unlimited (default)
    • 100-500: Short responses
    • 1000-2000: Medium responses
    • 4000+: Long responses

Chat History

Viewing Past Chats

  1. Click History in the menu
  2. Select a chat from the list
  3. The conversation will load in the main window

Exporting Chats

  1. Open the chat you want to export
  2. Select File > Export Chat
  3. Choose a location and format (Markdown, JSON, or Plain Text)

Deleting Chats

  1. Open the History panel
  2. Right-click on a chat
  3. Select Delete
  4. Confirm the deletion

Search History

  1. Open the History panel
  2. Use the search box
  3. Type keywords to find specific conversations

Keyboard Shortcuts

Chat

  • Enter - Send message
  • Shift+Enter - New line in message
  • Ctrl+N - New chat
  • Ctrl+W - Close current chat

Navigation

  • Ctrl+H - Open history
  • Ctrl+, - Open settings
  • Ctrl+Q - Quit application

Editing

  • Ctrl+C - Copy selected text
  • Ctrl+V - Paste text
  • Ctrl+A - Select all

Tips and Best Practices

For Better Responses

  • Be specific: Clear, detailed prompts get better answers
  • Provide context: Include relevant background information
  • Use examples: Show what you want with examples
  • Iterate: Refine your question based on responses

For Privacy

  • Use local models for sensitive information
  • Enable chat encryption for private conversations
  • Review chat history before exporting
  • Clear history periodically if needed

For Performance

  • Use lightweight models for simple queries
  • Use capable models for complex tasks
  • Close unused chats to free memory
  • Restart application if it becomes slow

For Cost Management

  • Use local models when possible (free)
  • Monitor token usage with cloud providers
  • Set max tokens to limit response length
  • Use cost-optimal routing for automatic savings

Common Use Cases

Coding Assistance

You: Write a Python function to sort a list of dictionaries by a specific key
AI: [Provides code with explanation]

Writing Help

You: Help me write a professional email about project delays
AI: [Drafts email with appropriate tone]

Learning

You: Explain quantum computing in simple terms
AI: [Provides accessible explanation]

Brainstorming

You: Give me 10 ideas for a mobile app that helps people learn languages
AI: [Lists creative ideas with brief descriptions]

Troubleshooting

Response is Slow

  • Try a faster model (lighter local model or Groq)
  • Reduce max tokens in settings
  • Check network connection for cloud models
  • Close other applications to free resources

Response is Poor Quality

  • Increase temperature for more creativity
  • Try a more capable model
  • Provide more context in your prompt
  • Use examples to guide the AI

Application Crashes

  • Check system logs: ~/.local/share/chat-linux-client/logs/
  • Run system checks: python main.py --check-system
  • Ensure all dependencies are installed
  • Try reinstalling the application

Next Steps

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