c16cfc3a93
The previous lspci-based GPU detection fails inside Docker containers because lspci isn't available, causing Ollama to always run CPU-only even when a GPU + NVIDIA Container Toolkit are present on the host. Replace with Docker API runtime check (docker.info() -> Runtimes) as primary detection method. This works from inside any container via the mounted Docker socket and confirms both GPU presence and toolkit installation. Keep lspci as fallback for host-based installs and AMD. Also add Docker-based GPU detection to benchmark hardware info — exec nvidia-smi inside the Ollama container to get the actual GPU model name instead of showing "Not detected". Tested on nomad3 (Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX + RTX 5060): AI performance went from 12.7 tok/s (CPU) to 281.4 tok/s (GPU) — a 22x improvement. Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>
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Getting Started with N.O.M.A.D.
This guide will help you get the most out of your N.O.M.A.D. server.
Easy Setup Wizard
If this is your first time using N.O.M.A.D., the Easy Setup wizard will help you get everything configured.
The wizard walks you through four simple steps:
- Capabilities — Choose what to enable: Information Library, AI Assistant, Education Platform, Maps, Data Tools, and Notes
- Maps — Select geographic regions for offline maps
- Content — Choose curated content collections with Essential, Standard, or Comprehensive tiers
4. Review — Confirm your selections and start downloading
Depending on what you selected, downloads may take a while. You can monitor progress in the Settings area, continue using features that are already installed, or leave your server running overnight for large downloads.
Understanding Your Tools
Information Library — Offline Knowledge (Kiwix)
The Information Library stores compressed versions of websites and references that work without internet.
What's included:
- Full Wikipedia (millions of articles)
- Medical references and first aid guides
- How-to guides and survival information
- Classic books from Project Gutenberg
How to use it:
- Click Information Library from the Command Center home screen or Apps page
- Choose a collection (like Wikipedia)
- Search or browse just like the regular website
Education Platform — Offline Courses (Kolibri)
The Education Platform provides complete educational courses that work offline.
What's included:
- Khan Academy video courses
- Math, science, reading, and more
- Progress tracking for learners
- Works for all ages
How to use it:
- Click Education Platform from the Command Center home screen or Apps page
- Sign in or create a learner account
- Browse courses and start learning
Tip: Kolibri supports multiple users. Create accounts for each family member to track individual progress.
AI Assistant — Built-in Chat
N.O.M.A.D. includes a built-in AI chat interface powered by Ollama. It runs entirely on your server — no internet needed, no data sent anywhere.
What can it do:
- Answer questions on any topic
- Explain complex concepts simply
- Help with writing and editing
- Reference your uploaded documents via the Knowledge Base
- Brainstorm ideas and assist with problem-solving
How to use it:
- Click AI Chat from the Command Center or go to Chat
- Type your question or request
- The AI responds in conversational style
Tip: Be specific in your questions. Instead of "tell me about plants," try "what vegetables grow well in shade?"
Note: The AI Assistant must be installed first. Enable it during Easy Setup or install it from the Apps page.
GPU Acceleration: If your server has an NVIDIA GPU with the NVIDIA Container Toolkit installed, N.O.M.A.D. will automatically use it for AI — dramatically faster responses (10-20x improvement). If you add a GPU later, go to Apps and Force Reinstall the AI Assistant to enable it.
Knowledge Base — Document-Aware AI
The Knowledge Base lets you upload documents so the AI can reference them when answering your questions. It uses semantic search (RAG via Qdrant) to find relevant information from your uploaded files.
Supported file types:
- PDFs, text files, and other document formats
- NOMAD documentation is automatically loaded when the AI Assistant is installed
How to use it:
- Go to Knowledge Base →
- Upload your documents (PDFs, text files, etc.)
- Documents are processed and indexed automatically
- Ask questions in AI Chat — the AI will reference your uploaded documents when relevant
Use cases:
- Upload emergency plans for quick reference during a crisis
- Load technical manuals and SOPs for offline work sites
- Add curriculum guides for homeschooling
- Store research papers for academic work
Maps — Offline Navigation
View maps without internet. Download the regions you need before going offline.
How to use it:
- Click Maps from the Command Center
- Navigate by dragging and zooming
- Search for locations using the search bar
To add more map regions:
- Go to Settings → Maps Manager
- Select the regions you need
- Click Download
Tip: Download maps for areas you travel to frequently, plus neighboring regions just in case.
Managing Your Server
Adding More Content
As your needs change, you can add more content anytime:
- More apps: Settings → Apps
- More references: Settings → Content Explorer or Content Manager
- More map regions: Settings → Maps Manager
- More educational content: Through Kolibri's built-in content browser
Wikipedia Selector
N.O.M.A.D. includes a dedicated Wikipedia content management tool for browsing and downloading Wikipedia packages.
How to use it:
- Go to Content Explorer →
- Browse available Wikipedia packages by language and size
- Select and download the packages you want
Note: Selecting a different Wikipedia package replaces the previously downloaded version. Only one Wikipedia selection is active at a time.
System Benchmark
Test your hardware performance and see how your NOMAD build stacks up against the community.
How to use it:
- Go to System Benchmark →
- Choose a benchmark type: Full, System Only, or AI Only
- View your NOMAD Score (a weighted composite of CPU, memory, disk, and AI performance)
- Create a Builder Tag (your NOMAD-themed identity, like "Tactical-Llama-1234")
- Share your results with the community leaderboard
Note: Only Full Benchmarks with AI data can be shared to the community leaderboard.
Keeping Things Updated
While you have internet, periodically check for updates:
- Go to Settings → Check for Updates
- If updates are available, click to install
- Wait for the update to complete (your server will restart)
Content updates (Wikipedia, maps, etc.) can be managed separately from software updates.
Monitoring System Health
Check on your server anytime:
- Go to Settings → System
- View CPU, memory, and storage usage
- Check system uptime and status
Tips for Best Results
Before Going Offline
- Update everything — Run software and content updates
- Download what you need — Maps, references, educational content
- Test it — Make sure features work while you still have internet to troubleshoot
Storage Management
Your server has limited storage. Prioritize:
- Content you'll actually use
- Critical references (medical, survival)
- Maps for your region
- Educational content matching your needs
Check storage usage in Settings → System.
Getting Help
- In-app docs: You're reading them now
- AI assistant: Ask a question in AI Chat
- Release notes: See what's new in each version
Next Steps
You're ready to use N.O.M.A.D. Here are some things to try:
- Look something up — Search for a topic in the Information Library
- Learn something — Start a Khan Academy course in the Education Platform
- Ask a question — Chat with the AI in AI Chat
- Explore maps — Find your neighborhood in the Maps viewer
- Upload a document — Add a PDF to the Knowledge Base and ask the AI about it
Enjoy your offline knowledge server!