local-model-selection

Local Model Selection for Hermes

Use this skill when the user asks which local model to run, which quant to pick, which uncensored variant to use, how to pair models across GPUs, or what auxiliary model to use alongside their main model.

When to use

Trigger on requests like:

• "what's the best Qwen model for my hardware"
• "which quant should I use for 32GB VRAM"
• "what uncensored model for 16GB"
• "what should I run as a secondary/auxiliary model"
• "compare these three models for agent use"
• "is this model still the best or has something newer dropped"
• "where are my LM Studio models"
• "move/delete these LM Studio models to free space"
• "are there any Ollama models on this Mac"
• "uninstall Ollama"

For storage operations, distinguish the machine being cleaned from any remote model host. For LM Studio, inventory exact model directories, check lms ps before deletion, delete only explicitly named model repositories, and verify both path removal and real free-space change; see references/lm-studio-model-storage-operations.md. For Ollama on macOS, cross-check ollama list, allocated model blobs/manifests, and large files before claiming models exist, then use the process/app/CLI/package/data verification sequence in references/macos-ollama-storage-and-uninstall.md for a complete uninstall.

Core rule: verify model existence before recommending

Never fabricate model names. Model families have specific size tiers — not every number exists in every family. Before recommending, verify the model exists on HuggingFace or Ollama.

When a user asks for recommendations:

• Use exact model identifiers, e.g. "Qwen3.6-27B" not just "a Qwen 3 model."
• Never say "we can run about X parameters" without naming at least one concrete, released, GGUF-available candidate that actually fits.
• If you're unsure of the latest family/size, check via web_search or HuggingFace before answering — the user will spot vague or outdated claims immediately.

If you mix up versions (e.g., saying "Qwen 3.5" when Qwen 3.6 is current), correct yourself directly instead of hedging.