Needle

Needle is an automation foundation model designed for tiny devices that runs locally with a file size between 8 and 29 megabytes.

Needle is an automation foundation model engineered for resource-constrained environments including microcontrollers, wearables, robots, and smart home devices. The model operates locally at speeds up to 4k tokens per second, removing the need for an internet connection. It utilizes a 2-bit architecture to maintain a small memory footprint of 8 to 29 MB. Developers can perform local fine-tuning using an open-source CLI workflow or opt for hosted fine-tuning services. This solution supports applications where performance and reliability are required on hardware without screens or reliable cloud connectivity.

Needle at a glance

Best for: Software engineer
Runs on: CLI
Pricing: Local training is free; Starter $19 once; Pro $99/month; Custom contact for pricing
Released: February 2026
Category: AI coding tool
Website: cactuscompute.com

Key features

2-bit model quantization
Local execution on tiny devices
Up to 4k tokens/sec decode speed
Open-source CLI workflow for local training
Hosted fine-tuning with GPU compute
LoRA tuning with a frozen base
Confidence head training on tools

Use it for

Running automation logic on wearable rings
Deploying AI on smart home controllers
Local model training for microcontrollers

Alternatives to Needle

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PulseDev — Edits local source files directly through existing coding agents based on visual web clicks.
Genkit — Provides unified APIs and local developer tools for AI application workflows.
Strata — Runs large AI models locally on consumer gaming PCs without server reliance.
MTPLX — It runs local models twice as fast via native MTP speculative decoding.
Foundry Local — Runs AI models locally on device with complete privacy and no Azure subscription.
OpenCode — Works with 75+ model providers, local models, and existing subscriptions
ZCode — Integrates GLM-5.3 with multi-agent workflows and remote chat control.
Pebrel — It brings local shells, remote hosts, and AI command-line tools into one workspace.
Flyte — Resumes failed tasks automatically from the exact point of interruption.
Rigmark — Measures local AI performance with reproducible, agent-like workloads.

All Needle alternatives