Double check computer meets the minimum [system requirements](/docs/system-requirements).

<Callout type="info" title="Info">
  You might sometimes see terms such as `open-source models` or `open-weights models`. Different models might be released under different licenses and varying degrees of 'openness'. In order to run a model locally, you need to be able to get access to its "weights", often distributed as one or more files that end with `.gguf`, `.safetensors` etc.
</Callout>

<hr />

Getting up and running [#getting-up-and-running]

First, **install the latest version of LM Studio**. You can get it from [here](/download).

Once you're all set up, you need to **download your first LLM**.

<Steps>
  <Step>
    <h3>
      Download an LLM to your computer
    </h3>

    Head over to the Discover tab to download models. Pick one of the curated options or search for models by search query (e.g. `"Llama"`). See more in-depth information about downloading models [here](/docs/basics/download-models).

    <img src="/assets/marketing/docs/discover.png" style="{ width: &#x22;500px&#x22;, marginTop: &#x22;30px&#x22; }" data-caption="The Discover tab in LM Studio" />
  </Step>

  <Step>
    <h3>
      Load a model to memory
    </h3>

    Head over to the **Chat** tab, and

    1. Open the model loader
    2. Select one of the models you downloaded (or [sideloaded](/docs/advanced/sideload)).
    3. Optionally, choose load configuration parameters.

    <img src="/assets/marketing/docs/loader.png" data-caption="Quickly open the model loader with `cmd` + `L` on macOS or `ctrl` + `L` on Windows/Linux" />

    <h4>
      What does loading a model mean?
    </h4>

    Loading a model typically means allocating memory to be able to accommodate the model's weights and other parameters in your computer's RAM.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    <h3>
      Chat!
    </h3>

    Once the model is loaded, you can start a back-and-forth conversation with the model in the Chat tab.

    <img src="/assets/marketing/docs/chat.png" data-caption="LM Studio on macOS" />
  </Step>
</Steps>

<hr />

Community [#community]

Chat with other LM Studio users, discuss LLMs, hardware, and more on the [LM Studio Discord server](https://discord.gg/aPQfnNkxGC).