2025 DCI Workshop: Software Installation

Pre‑Workshop Instructions

This guide helps you install and verify the two desktop tools we’ll use during the workshop: LM Studio and Cherry Studio. Set aside 20–40 minutes, depending on your network speed.

Prerequisites

  • Supported OS: recent macOS or Windows 10/11. If your OS is not updated with latest patches, the instructions may not work.
  • Disk space: 2–5 GB free (models require additional space; see notes below).
  • Internet access to download apps and at least one small model.
  • Admin rights to install applications.

LM Studio

macOS (Apple Silicon/M Series or Intel)

  1. If your Mac was purchased after 2021, it is Apple Silicon (M Series). If it was purchased by 2020, it is Intel.
  2. Download LM Studio from the official site and open the .dmg.
  3. Drag the LM Studio app into Applications.
  4. Launch LM Studio from Applications or Spotlight.
  5. If macOS blocks the app (Gatekeeper), open System Settings → Privacy & Security, find LM Studio under “Security” and choose Open Anyway.

Windows 10/11

  1. Download the LM Studio installer (.exe) from the official site.
  2. Double‑click to run the installer and follow prompts to complete installation.
  3. If SmartScreen appears, click More info → Run anyway (if you trust the source) and continue.
  4. Launch LM Studio from the Start Menu or Desktop shortcut.

Required Model Downloads (Before Workshop)

Please pre‑download these models in LM Studio so we can start quickly: - macOS users: Qwen3-0.6b-MLX-4bit - Windows users: Qwen3-0.6B-GGUF - All users (both groups): Qwen3-Embedding-0.6B-GGUF

How to download in LM Studio: 1. Open LM Studio → go to the Models/Explore (catalog) tab. 2. Search for “Qwen3”. Use filters if available: - On macOS: set Format to MLX to find Qwen3-0.6b-MLX-4bit. - On Windows: set Format to GGUF to find Qwen3-0.6B-GGUF. - For the embedding model: search Qwen3-Embedding-0.6B-GGUF (Format: GGUF). 3. Click Download for each model. Keep LM Studio open until downloads complete. 4. Ensure you have a few GB of free space for model files and cache.

Verify LM Studio

  1. Open LM Studio and sign in or continue as guest (if available).
  2. Open the model browser/catalog (the magnifier icon on the left sidebar).
  3. Confirm the required downloads above are present:
    • macOS: Qwen3-0.6b-MLX-4bit
    • Windows: Qwen3-0.6B-GGUF
    • Both Windows and Mac users download: Qwen3-Embedding-0.6B-GGUF
  4. Start a local chat using your OS‑specific Qwen3 model (the embedding model is for retrieval tasks). Send a simple prompt like: “Hello! What’s 2+2?”
  5. Confirm you get a response locally (no cloud usage needed).

Optional: Download Extra Model

  • If you have extra time/space, you may also download a medium model (we recommend qwen/qwen3-4b-thinking-2507) for higher quality responses.
  • Expect each model to take multiple GBs. Keep an extra 5–10 GB free to avoid cache issues.

Troubleshooting LM Studio

  • macOS Gatekeeper: Use System Settings → Privacy & Security → Open Anyway after first launch attempt.
  • Windows SmartScreen: More info → Run anyway if downloaded from the official site.
  • Performance: Smaller models run comfortably on CPU; larger models may benefit from GPU acceleration (ensure drivers/OS are up‑to‑date).
  • Network or firewall prompts: Allow LM Studio to access the network so it can fetch models.

Cherry Studio

macOS

  1. Download the Cherry Studio .dmg from the official site and open it.
  2. Drag Cherry Studio into Applications.
  3. Launch from Applications or Spotlight. If blocked by Gatekeeper, use System Settings → Privacy & Security → Open Anyway.

Windows 10/11

  1. Download the Cherry Studio installer (.exe).
  2. Run the installer and follow prompts. If SmartScreen appears, choose More info → Run anyway if you trust the source.
  3. Launch from the Start Menu or Desktop shortcut.

Uninstall (if needed)

  • macOS: Drag the app from Applications to Trash; optionally remove caches under ~/Library/Application Support/ for LM Studio/Cherry Studio.
  • Windows: Use Settings → Apps to uninstall; optionally remove leftover folders in %AppData% or %LocalAppData%.

Teaching material: pre_workshop_instruction.html