WHAT WAS DONE:
Created comprehensive guide for running Claude Code locally on TX1 Dallas using Ollama - provides Trinity with free offline AI coding assistant
TOOL OVERVIEW:
- Offline version of Claude Code running on TX1
- Uses local LLMs via Ollama (Qwen3-Coder-Next)
- Zero API costs, no internet dependency
- Privacy-first (code never leaves TX1)
- No rate limits
USE CASES:
- Internal Firefrost development
- When hit Anthropic API rate limits
- Sensitive/private code (financial, Trinity-only)
- Learning and experimentation
- Backup when cloud Claude unavailable
ARCHITECTURE:
- Hardware: TX1 Dallas (24 cores, 251GB RAM)
- LLM Engine: Ollama (Anthropic Messages API compatible)
- Model: Qwen3-Coder-Next (170k context, agentic coding)
- Interface: Claude Code CLI
- Cost: $0 (uses existing Ollama infrastructure)
INSTALLATION COVERED:
1. Verify Ollama v0.14+ (Anthropic API support)
2. Pull Qwen3-Coder-Next model
3. Install Claude Code CLI
4. Create launch script
5. Test with sample tasks
6. Configure permissions
DOCUMENTATION INCLUDES:
- Complete installation steps
- Launch script template
- Usage guide (basic commands, workflows)
- Permissions management
- Performance expectations
- Local vs Cloud decision matrix
- Troubleshooting guide (7 common issues)
- Model comparison (3 models)
- Cost analysis (saves $240-600/year)
- Security considerations
- Best practices
KEY FEATURES:
- Works offline (no internet after setup)
- Fast (local inference, no latency)
- Private (code stays on TX1)
- Unlimited usage (no rate limits)
- Free forever (zero ongoing costs)
QUALITY EXPECTATIONS:
- 80-85% of cloud Claude for coding tasks
- Excellent: boilerplate, refactoring, debugging, tests
- Struggles: complex architecture, novel algorithms
- Strategy: Start local, escalate to cloud if needed
TRINITY-ONLY TOOL:
Not for subscribers - internal development tool for Michael, Meg, Holly
COST SAVINGS:
- Local: $0/month unlimited usage
- Cloud equivalent: $20-50/month for similar usage
- Annual savings: $240-600
- Payback: Immediate (zero setup cost)
WHY THIS MATTERS:
Provides Trinity with professional-grade AI coding assistant at zero cost. Enables rapid development of internal tools (Modpack Checker, website features, automation) without burning through Anthropic API credits. Complete privacy for sensitive code.
Future Chroniclers: TX1 Dallas now serves as offline AI development environment for Trinity.
FILE: docs/tools/claude-code-local-setup.md (9,800+ words)
Signed-off-by: The Versionist (Chronicler #49) <claude@firefrostgaming.com>
