[PSA] Unit 1 Guide: Fixing Ollama "Socket" errors, Gated Models, and Dark Mode bugs

To help new students moving through Unit 1, here is a heads-up on three common "non-errors" and UI bugs that can slow you down. ### 1. Ollama "Socket Address" Error If you see this error: `Error: listen tcp 127.0.0.1:11434: bind: Only one usage of each socket address (protocol/network address/port) is normally permitted.` * **What it means:** The Ollama server is **already running** in the background (it often starts automatically on installation). * **The Fix (Windows):** Check your **System Tray** (bottom right toolbox near the clock). Find the Ollama icon, **right-click** it, and select **Quit Ollama**. * **Next Step:** After quitting, you can now run your command (like `ollama serve`) manually if you wish, and simply start pulling models directly since the port is now clear. ### 2. Skip Gated Models & Tokens (For Unit 1) You may see instructions to request access for models like **Llama-4** or to configure an `HF_TOKEN`. * **Pro-tip:** Don't waste time waiting for gated model approval or complex token setups just to get through Unit 1. (You can set them up, but they aren't required for this specific unit). * **The Goal:** The "dummy library" is meant for fast experimentation. Jump straight into the code! * **Important Note:** Some models in the Llama-4 collection may show an error: `"_is not a chat model."` If you hit this, use **`meta-llama/Meta-Llama-3-8B-Instruct`** instead—it is highly stable and works perfectly with the course code. ### 3. Tokenizer Playground Visibility (Dark Mode Bug) In the **"What are LLMs"** section, if you are using **Dark Mode**, the Token IDs might be invisible because the font color and the background are the same. * **The Workaround:** If you click on the token IDs and see nothing, temporarily switch your Hugging Face theme to **Light Mode**. This will make the text visible until the CSS is patched. --- *Good luck with the course! feel free to add if you find anything like this in the comments below.*