> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://elatoai.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Local AI Overview

> Run speech-to-text, LLM and text-to-speech fully on your Mac and talk to them from an ESP32-S3 toy. No cloud, no subscription.

**OpenToys** is the local-first version of Elato. Your Apple Silicon Mac runs every model, and your ESP32-S3 streams audio to it over a websocket. Nothing leaves your home.

> **[OpenToys on GitHub](https://github.com/akdeb/OpenToys)**
>
> Download the app, flash the firmware and start building.

## The local stack

| Stage | Model | Page |
| - | - | - |
| **STT** (speech to text) | Whisper large-v3-turbo | [STT](https://elatoai.com/docs/local/stt/whisper.md) |
| **LLM** (the brain) | Any `mlx-community` model, default Ministral-3-3B (Gemma 4, Qwen3, Llama, gpt-oss and Muse Glimmer also supported) | [LLM](https://elatoai.com/docs/local/llm/overview.md) |
| **TTS** (text to speech) | Qwen3-TTS by default, plus nine other backends | [TTS](https://elatoai.com/docs/local/tts/overview.md) |
| **Pipeline** | STT → LLM → TTS over a websocket | [Realtime](https://elatoai.com/docs/local/realtime/pipeline.md) |

All models run through [MLX](https://github.com/ml-explore/mlx), Apple's machine learning framework, so you need an Apple Silicon Mac (M1 or newer).

## Cloud or local?

| | Cloud AI | Local AI |
| - | - | - |
| Cost | Pay per API usage | Free |
| Privacy | Audio goes to the provider | Stays on your Mac |
| Latency | Native realtime models | Cascaded STT → LLM → TTS |
| Hardware | ESP32 + internet | ESP32 + Apple Silicon Mac |

Looking for OpenAI, Gemini, Grok, Eleven Labs or Hume? See [Cloud AI](https://elatoai.com/docs/models/openai.md).

## Get started

**1. Install OpenToys**

Download the latest DMG from [GitHub Releases](https://github.com/akdeb/OpenToys/releases).

**2. Flash your ESP32-S3**

In OpenToys, open **Settings** and pick **Connect your ESP32 Here**, then click **Flash**. Wiring is covered in the [firmware guide](https://elatoai.com/docs/blog/firmware.md).

**3. Join the toy's WiFi and press Play**

The toy hosts an open network called `ELATO`. Join it from your Mac and press **Play**.

> [!TIP]
>
> While your Mac is on `ELATO` it has no internet. Download models and voices before joining.


This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.