What is GGUF file format?

GGUF is a new extensible binary format for AI models (LLaMA and Llama-2) focused on fast loading, flexibility, and single-file convenience. It improves on previous formats like GGML and GGJT.

GGUF was introduced in August 2023 and runs on llama.cpp. 

What are the key benefits of GGUF over GGML?

GGUF offers better tokenization, support for special tokens, metadata, and extensibility. It’s designed to load models faster, be easier to use, and accommodate future changes.

What types of models are stored in GGUF format?

GGUF is meant for models developed in frameworks like PyTorch that you want to use for inference with llama.cpp or related systems. The GGUF file contains all information needed to load and run the model.

How is GGUF different from formats like GGML and GGJT?

GGUF uses a key-value structure for things like hyperparameters instead of just a list of values. This makes it more flexible and extensible down the line. New info can be added without breaking compatibility with existing GGUF models.

Why was GGUF created?

It aims to provide an unambiguous format with fast loading, and the ability to extend with new features. GGUF also packages models into a single file for easier distribution.

How difficult is GGUF to use?

GGUF is designed to be easy to load models from with just a small amount of code. There’s no need for external libraries. The file contains the full model information.