Transformers now runs llama.cpp GGUF quants via ggml kernels, faster local inference on Mac
LysandreJik · x · 2026-09-22
Hugging Face announced that transformers now supports running GGUF models efficiently, letting users load the millions-downloaded llama.cpp quantized checkpoints through the familiar frompretrained API.
- Compatibility: Pick a GGUF sized for your laptop's memory from the Hub, with ready-made checkpoints from ggml-org, Unsloth, LM Studio Community, and bartowski in various quantizations.
- Performance: To get close to llama.cpp speed, the team reuses its underlying ggml kernels via the kernels library and cuts overhead in generate; the initial focus is local inference on Apple Silicon.
- Context: GGUF powers local tools like Ollama, LM Studio, and Jan. The post cites Julien Chaumond's demo running Qwen3.6 27B via llama.cpp inside the Pi coding agent on a MacBook Pro, described as close to latest Opus.
Related event: Transformers Natively Runs GGUF, Matching llama.cpp Performance(8 posts)→
More from Infra
- Omarchy 4.6 lets you share local AI models across your tailnet, says DHH — alexcovo_eth · 2026-11-12
- Eric Schmidt's foundation funds French NGO fighting against data centers — StephanSturges · 2026-11-12
- Epoch: Open-Weight GLM 5.3 Hacks Six Firefox Versions for ~$1,000 Each; Claude Fable 5.2 Sets ECI Record — Epoch AI · 2026-11-12
- Polymarket prices 28% odds of a state data center moratorium; Torus raises $500M — Polymarket · 2026-11-12
- AWS-wrapper cloud startup shuts down just one month after seed round — thedealdirector · 2026-11-12
- Utah startup Torus raises $500M for shipping container-sized AI data centers deployable in 4 months — Polymarket · 2026-11-12