ModelNap is a free, open-source menu-bar app for Mac that turns Ollama on and off in one click and unloads idle models from memory.
ModelNap features
Overview
What is ModelNap?
Your local AI, on only when you use it.
ModelNap is a free, open-source menu-bar app that turns Ollama and Splash on and off in one click and unloads idle models from memory. It stops Ollama the way it started — Ollama.app, brew services, or ollama serve — so a KeepAlive LaunchAgent can't silently bring it back.
The menu-bar dot shows state at a glance (green/blue/gray/yellow), the panel lists loaded models with sizes and real memory, and you can free a model with one click or set automatic idle unloading after 5–60 minutes. Splash control starts, stops, and restarts Splash and shows its real memory usage.
No accounts, no telemetry. macOS 14 Sonoma or later, Apple Silicon and Intel. MIT licensed on GitHub.
Platforms and languages
ModelNap Availability
Platforms
Languages
Capabilities
ModelNap Key Features
One-click Ollama toggle
The menu-bar panel or the Option-Command-O shortcut turns Ollama on/off, stopping it the same way it started so a KeepAlive LaunchAgent can't resurrect it.
Automatic idle unload
Unloads models from RAM after 5, 15, 30, or 60 idle minutes; Ollama stays on and reloads the model on your next message.
Splash control
Starts, stops, and restarts Splash, shows its real memory usage, and makes room for it by unloading Ollama models first.
Live status & memory dashboard
A menu-bar dot shows state at a glance; the panel lists loaded models with sizes and real memory usage.
Native Mac design
Dark and light modes, English and Spanish, for macOS 14 Sonoma and later on Apple Silicon and Intel.
Best for
Who uses ModelNap?
Mac users running local AI models
Reclaim RAM held by idle Ollama models with a one-click off switch and automatic idle unloading
Plans and access
ModelNap Pricing
Free
Free and open source (MIT); no account needed
Common questions
ModelNap FAQs
Is it really free?
Yes — download and use it without paying or creating an account; it's MIT open source on GitHub.
How do I turn off Ollama on a Mac?
One click in the panel, or Option-Command-O from any app — it stops Ollama the same way it started, so a KeepAlive LaunchAgent doesn't bring it back.
Why isn't it on the App Store?
The App Store's sandbox blocks the system calls it needs, so it's distributed as a direct DMG download instead.
Does it work on Windows or Linux?
No — it's a native Mac app only (macOS 14+ on Apple Silicon and Intel).
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