# Experiences with local models for coding

DevFeed: [Experiences with local models for coding](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/experiences-with-local-models-for-coding-4415.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://martinfowler.com/articles/exploring-gen-ai/local-models-for-coding-experiences.html>)

Author: Martin Fowler (martin@martinfowler.com)

Published: 2026-07-08T11:57:00Z

Content type: article

Language: en

Sources: [Martin Fowler](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/martin-fowler.md>)

Topics: [AI-assisted coding](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/ai-assisted-coding.md>)

Tags: [agentic](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/agentic.md>), [agentic-coding](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/agentic-coding.md>), [code-quality](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/code-quality.md>), [coding](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/coding.md>), [hardware](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/hardware.md>), [llms](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/llms.md>), [local](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/local.md>), [models](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/models.md>), [review](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/review.md>), [speed](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/speed.md>), [tool](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/tool.md>), [user-experience](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/user-experience.md>)

## AI overview

An account of evaluating local small language models for agentic coding on developer machines. It describes a viability funnel covering RAM, speed, tool calling, correctness, context handling, task complexity, and code quality.

## Source excerpt

Birgitta Böckeler now reports on her recent experiences trying local LLMs for coding. She compares them using two standard tasks, and tries out the most promising model for day-to-day use. more...