---
title: "Access Local AI over Your Tailscale Network"
description: "Give an existing Ollama API a private HTTPS address and connect a permitted device or agent."
url: "https://tslink.md/docs/local-ai"
locale: "en"
product_version: "0.1.1"
source: "https://github.com/anydoor7/tslink/blob/v0.1.1/docs/local-ai.md"
---

> Documentation index: https://tslink.md/llms.txt · Installed binary is authoritative: `tslink manifest`.

TSLink gives an existing model HTTP API a private HTTPS address. Your backend runs inference; TSLink forwards traffic. A permitted device can use that address in an Ollama client or a compatible application.

Shell examples use bash/zsh and curl.

## Check the backend first

[Install TSLink](https://tslink.md/docs/installation.md) and run Ollama separately on the publishing host. Choose and download a local model for local inference. Test its API before sharing:

```bash
curl http://localhost:11434/api/tags
```

The response lists installed models. If it is unreachable, fix the backend first; an empty model list still needs a model before inference.

## Register a private model address

Replace the email with your own Tailscale login:

```bash
tslink add model --proxy localhost:11434 --allow you@example.com
tslink url model --wait
```

Complete node enrollment when prompted. The receiving device needs Tailscale and a network policy permitting the connection. Use the exact returned URL; same-name `add` replaces service settings, so repeat every intended option when changing it.

From a permitted receiving device:

```bash
MODEL_URL='PASTE_THE_EXACT_URL_RETURNED_BY_TSLINK'
curl "$MODEL_URL/api/tags"
```

| Your client's setting       | Value                           |
| --------------------------- | ------------------------------- |
| Ollama server URL           | The returned HTTPS origin       |
| Native Ollama API base      | The returned origin plus `/api` |
| OpenAI-compatible `baseURL` | The returned origin plus `/v1`  |

Choose an installed model name. Ollama supports a subset of OpenAI-compatible API features; check your client's routes and options. A client's API-key field does not replace the Tailscale access check.

## Add a web interface or a teammate

The `local-ai-suite` template registers separate `ollama` (`localhost:11434`) and `open-webui` (`localhost:8080`) nodes. Use it as an alternative to the manual `model` entry above:

```bash
tslink template apply local-ai-suite
tslink template apply local-ai-suite --yes
tslink url ollama --wait
tslink url open-webui --wait
```

Preview first; templates preserve existing entries. Install and configure both applications separately, including Open WebUI's model connection. Recipes offer additional app advice through `tslink apps list`.

To share a private model service with another person for an hour, use [people grants](https://tslink.md/docs/people-sharing.md):

```bash
tslink people add alice@example.com --apps model --for 1h
```

Use `ollama` instead of `model` if you chose the template. The first people grant scopes that app; configure your own access too.

## Keep the data path intentional

TSLink does not load models, implement RAG, index documents or prevent outbound requests. A localhost Ollama API can use a cloud model; a remote agent may process received data elsewhere. Select local models, data stores and application logging according to the data's sensitivity.

TSLink's MCP manages shares; configure agent inference separately with the model address. For an agent on another host, tailnet reachability is still required. Keep model APIs private: Funnel has no TSLink caller identity gate.

HTTP response streaming is supported. Uploads default to a 32 MiB body cap and a 30-second inactivity window, not a total inference deadline. Larger inputs need intentional [request limits](https://tslink.md/docs/health-and-alerts.md#uploads-and-request-limits); backend and client limits also apply.

Related: [Agent/MCP setup](https://tslink.md/docs/mcp-server.md) · [Health checks](https://tslink.md/docs/health-and-alerts.md).

Sources: [TSLink local AI guide](https://github.com/anydoor7/tslink/blob/v0.1.1/docs/local-ai.md), [Ollama model list](https://docs.ollama.com/api/tags), [Ollama API compatibility](https://docs.ollama.com/api/openai-compatibility).