If you’re like me and love tinkering with tech, you’ve probably run into some interesting challenges when using multiple environments like Windows and Linux together. Recently, I’ve been working with AnythingLLM on my Windows desktop while managing LLaMA models installed on my Linux system via WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux). At first, it wasn’t all smooth sailing, but I found a solution that worked perfectly.

Here’s how I managed to get AnythingLLM running on Windows using my Linux-installed LLaMA models through WSL—and how you can do the same.

The Challenge: Two Environments, One Goal

To set the scene, I had installed AnythingLLM on my Windows system. However, all of my LLaMA models were installed on WSL (Ubuntu). Ideally, I wanted to use the models in WSL directly with AnythingLLM, but the tricky part was getting both environments to communicate smoothly.

The Windows version of AnythingLLM couldn’t access my models in WSL, which meant I needed to rethink my approach.

The Solution: Install AnythingLLM on Linux and Run It from WSL

After some troubleshooting, I realized that the best way forward was to install the Linux version of AnythingLLM within WSL. By doing this, I could run the application directly from my Linux environment, and it would seamlessly interact with my LLaMA models stored there.

Step-by-Step: Installing and Running AnythingLLM on WSL

1. Install AnythingLLM on WSL (Linux)

First things first, I installed the Linux version of AnythingLLM directly onto WSL. You can find the installer and documentation here. If you’re not familiar with installing software in WSL, it’s pretty straightforward:

`wget -qO- https://docs.useanything.com/installation/desktop/linux/install.sh | bash`

This downloaded the installer script and handled all the dependencies. Once the installation was done, I had a working Linux version of AnythingLLM inside my WSL instance.

2. Make the File Executable

Before running AnythingLLM, you need to ensure the file has the proper permissions to be executed. Navigate to the directory where AnythingLLM was installed and run the following command:

`chmod +x AnythingLLMDesktop/start`

This makes the start file executable, allowing it to be launched without permission issues.

3. Running AnythingLLM on Windows via WSL

Now, here’s where things get fun. Instead of running AnythingLLM as a Windows application, I executed the Linux version of AnythingLLM from within WSL, and guess what? It worked beautifully on my Windows desktop. All I had to do was open my WSL terminal, navigate to where AnythingLLM was installed, and launch the program:

`./AnythingLLMDesktop/start`

Since I was already in my WSL environment, AnythingLLM automatically detected and accessed my LLaMA models, which were also installed on the Linux side.

4. Windows-Linux Harmony

By running the Linux version of AnythingLLM on WSL, I could manage everything from my Windows desktop, but all the heavy lifting—model management and execution—was handled by Linux. This way, I had the best of both worlds without any compatibility headaches.

Why This Setup Works Like a Charm

This approach works so well because you’re leveraging the native environment for each part of the setup:

  • AnythingLLM runs on Linux inside WSL, which is perfect for handling models like LLaMA that are already in that ecosystem.

  • Windows provides the desktop interface, but all the core functionality runs in WSL.

By installing the Linux version of AnythingLLM on WSL and running it from there, you skip the messy file transfer or cross-platform integration issues. Everything runs as it should, with Linux managing the models and Windows handling the interface.

Final Thoughts

So, that’s how I solved the problem of running AnythingLLM with my LLaMA models stored in WSL! It’s all about finding the right balance between the tools and environments you’re using. This solution gave me a clean, efficient workflow without any of the usual hassles that come with working across operating systems.

If you’re in a similar situation—trying to run applications on Windows while working with data in WSL—this is a setup I highly recommend. Once you get it going, it’s smooth sailing.