---
title: Jan
description: Build, run, and own your AI. From laptop to superintelligence.
keywords:
[
Jan,
open superintelligence,
AI ecosystem,
self-hosted AI,
local AI,
llama.cpp,
GGUF models,
MCP tools,
Model Context Protocol
]
---
import { Aside } from '@astrojs/starlight/components';
## Jan's Goal
> Jan's goal is to build superintelligence that you can self-host and use locally.
## What is Jan?
Jan is an open-source AI ecosystem that runs on your hardware. We're building towards open superintelligence - a complete AI platform you actually own.
### The Ecosystem
**Models**: We build specialized models for real tasks, not general-purpose assistants:
- **Jan-Nano (32k/128k)**: 4B parameters designed for deep research with MCP. The 128k version processes entire papers, codebases, or legal documents in one go
- **Lucy**: 1.7B model that runs agentic web search on your phone. Small enough for CPU, smart enough for complex searches
- **Jan-v1**: 4B model for agentic reasoning and tool use, achieving 91.1% on SimpleQA
We also integrate the best open-source models - from OpenAI's gpt-oss to community GGUF models on Hugging Face. The goal: make powerful AI accessible to everyone, not just those with server farms.
**Applications**: Jan Desktop runs on your computer today. Web, mobile, and server versions coming in late 2025. Everything syncs, everything works together.
**Tools**: Connect to the real world through [Model Context Protocol (MCP)](https://modelcontextprotocol.io). Design with Canva, analyze data in Jupyter notebooks, control browsers, execute code in E2B sandboxes. Your AI can actually do things, not just talk about them.
## Core Features
### Run Models Locally
- Download any GGUF model from Hugging Face
- Use OpenAI's gpt-oss models (120b and 20b)
- Automatic GPU acceleration (NVIDIA/AMD/Intel/Apple Silicon)
- OpenAI-compatible API at `localhost:1337`
### Connect to Cloud (Optional)
- Your API keys for OpenAI, Anthropic, etc.
- Jan.ai cloud models (coming late 2025)
- Self-hosted Jan Server (soon)
### Extend with MCP Tools
Growing ecosystem of real-world integrations:
- **Creative Work**: Generate designs with Canva
- **Data Analysis**: Execute Python in Jupyter notebooks
- **Web Automation**: Control browsers with Browserbase and Browser Use
- **Code Execution**: Run code safely in E2B sandboxes
- **Search & Research**: Access current information via Exa, Perplexity, and Octagon
- **More coming**: The MCP ecosystem is expanding rapidly
## Architecture
Jan is built on:
- [Llama.cpp](https://github.com/ggerganov/llama.cpp) for inference
- [Model Context Protocol](https://modelcontextprotocol.io) for tool integration
- Local-first data storage in `~/jan`
## Why Jan?
| Feature | Other AI Platforms | Jan |
|:--------|:-------------------|:----|
| **Deployment** | Their servers only | Your device, your servers, or our cloud |
| **Models** | One-size-fits-all | Specialized models for specific tasks |
| **Data** | Stored on their servers | Stays on your hardware |
| **Cost** | Monthly subscription | Free locally, pay for cloud |
| **Extensibility** | Limited APIs | Full ecosystem with MCP tools |
| **Ownership** | You rent access | You own everything |
## Development Philosophy
1. **Local First**: Everything works offline. Cloud is optional.
2. **User Owned**: Your data, your models, your compute.
3. **Built in Public**: Watch our models train. See our code. Track our progress.
## System Requirements
**Minimum**: 8GB RAM, 10GB storage
**Recommended**: 16GB RAM, GPU (NVIDIA/AMD/Intel), 50GB storage
**Supported**: Windows 10+, macOS 12+, Linux (Ubuntu 20.04+)
## What's Next?
When will mobile/web versions launch?
- **Jan Web**: Beta late 2025
- **Jan Mobile**: Late 2025
- **Jan Server**: Late 2025
All versions will sync seamlessly.
What models are available?
**Jan Models:**
- **Jan-Nano (32k/128k)**: Deep research with MCP integration
- **Lucy**: Mobile-optimized agentic search (1.7B)
- **Jan-v1**: Agentic reasoning and tool use (4B)
**Open Source:**
- OpenAI's gpt-oss models (120b and 20b)
- Any GGUF model from Hugging Face
**Cloud (with your API keys):**
- OpenAI, Anthropic, Mistral, Groq, and more
**Coming late 2025:**
- More specialized models for specific tasks
[Watch live training progress →](https://train.jan.ai)
What are MCP tools?
MCP (Model Context Protocol) lets AI interact with real applications. Instead of just generating text, your AI can:
- Create designs in Canva
- Analyze data in Jupyter notebooks
- Browse and interact with websites
- Execute code in sandboxes
- Search the web for current information
All through natural language conversation.
How does Jan make money?
- **Local use**: Always free
- **Cloud features**: Optional paid services (coming late 2025)
- **Enterprise**: Self-hosted deployment and support
We don't sell your data. We sell software and services.
Can I contribute?
Yes. Everything is open:
- [GitHub](https://github.com/janhq/jan) - Code contributions
- [Model Training](https://jan.ai/docs/models) - See how we train
- [Discord](https://discord.gg/FTk2MvZwJH) - Join discussions
- [Model Testing](https://eval.jan.ai) - Help evaluate models
Is this just another AI wrapper?
No. We're building:
- Our own models trained for specific tasks
- Complete local AI infrastructure
- Tools that extend model capabilities via MCP
- An ecosystem that works offline
Other platforms are models behind APIs you rent. Jan is a complete AI platform you own.
What about privacy?
**Local mode**: Your data never leaves your device. Period.
**Cloud mode**: You choose when to use cloud features. Clear separation.
See our [Privacy Policy](./privacy).
## Get Started
1. [Install Jan Desktop](./jan/installation) - Your AI workstation
2. [Download Models](./jan/models) - Choose from gpt-oss, community models, or cloud
3. [Explore MCP Tools](./mcp) - Connect to real applications
4. [Build with our API](./api-reference) - OpenAI-compatible at localhost:1337
---
**Questions?** Join our [Discord](https://discord.gg/FTk2MvZwJH) or check [GitHub](https://github.com/janhq/jan/).