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Run a 26M tool-calling model distilled from Gemini on-device

Open-sourced Needle, a 26M parameter tool-calling model distilled from Gemini for on-device agent use.

See pricing page1-2 hoursAdvancedSource linked

Source

HenryNdubuaku on Hacker News · 2026-05-12 · Project link

Written in our own words. Credit to the original author. Link checked 2026-10-15.

What they did

Open-sourced Needle, a 26M parameter tool-calling model distilled from Gemini for on-device agent use.

Result (as claimed)

Open-sourced; authors cite high tok/s on consumer devices.

Tools they used

Gemini

Cost: Pricing depends on the tools you pick; check each official pricing page.

Set it up

  1. Pick a contained repo or task

    Start on a branch or side project where mistakes are cheap.

  2. Install and configure

    Set up Gemini. Read what it can run on your machine and limit permissions where possible.

  3. Run it on a real task

    Give it a well-scoped issue and let it work. Review the diff like any pull request.

  4. Add guardrails

    Keep tests and CI in the loop, and never let an agent push to main or touch production secrets unattended.

Copy the full setup prompt

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Goal: Run a 26M tool-calling model distilled from Gemini on-device
What the original author did: Open-sourced Needle, a 26M parameter tool-calling model distilled from Gemini for on-device agent use.
Reported result (as claimed by the author): Open-sourced; authors cite high tok/s on consumer devices.
Source: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48111896
Tools they used: Gemini
Category: Dev & ops

Please:
1. Ask me 3 short questions about my situation (accounts I have, budget, what I want the output to look like).
2. Propose a step-by-step plan using these tools or cheaper alternatives, with the time and cost of each step. Use official pricing pages; say "check pricing" if unsure.
3. Then do the setup with me one step at a time, waiting for my OK before anything that sends messages, posts publicly, spends money or deletes data.
4. Finish with a checklist to run it again next time.

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