Clippy Desktop Assistant: A modern and lightweight chatbot for Linux with a nostalgic look

Given that our society is currently immersed in The era of Artificial Intelligence, commercial and personal, above all, inserted directly on your personal devices (computers, mobile phones, among others) and through the use of digital assistants that we know today as Chatbots AI, today here at Ubunlog we bring you this new tutorial on a New AI Chatbot for Linux called “Clippy Desktop Assistant”. And while there are many available both in the proprietary, closed and commercial sectors as well as in the Linuxverse (free software, open source and GNU/Linux), many of which we will mention at the end, this one stands out for being modern, easy to install and use. But also for offering a retro visual interface inspired by Clippy, the Microsoft Office 1997 assistant.

And in case you're not that old, that is, a veteran computer scientist from those times, it's worth pointing out for the less knowledgeable that Clippy was a digital character or mascot designed by illustrator Kevan Atteberry, who was chosen from more than 15 possible characters to be part of Microsoft's Office Assistants. So, if you are one of the many passionate Linuxverse fans looking to try out and choose a Modern, lightweight, and easy-to-use AI chatbot for your existing Linux or other operating system computers., both at home, school and the office, well, keep reading to meet Clippy and many others that we will mention.

But, before starting this new, interesting and useful publication about this AI Chatbot App for Linux called «Clippy Desktop Assistant»We recommend you explore our previous related post about another similar development already explored, after finishing reading this:

Bavarder is a desktop chatbot client built using OpenAI's GPT-3.5 technology. Furthermore, it is only available for free and open source GNU/Linux-based operating systems, primarily through Flatpak technology. Its developer, a programmer nicknamed Little B, created the chatbot with the goal of helping others get answers to their questions using various accessible AI technologies available. Basically, Bavarder is the desktop interface of Bai Chat's web client.

Clippy AI for Linux: Modern and lightweight chatbot with a retro look

According to official website of the developers This “AI Project” of the Linuxverse called “Clippy” is described as follows:

Clippy is a desktop client that allows you to run a variety of Large Language Models (LLM) locally on your computer, while maintaining a 90s-style user interface. Via Llama.cpp, it supports models in the popular GGUF format, i.e., most publicly available models. Offers one-click installation for Google's Gemma3, Meta's Llama 3.2, Microsoft's Phi-4, and Qwen's Qwen3.

While, Regarding his name and the use of the old Clippy image, mention the following:

It's a love letter and a tribute to the great Clippy, the 1997 Microsoft Office assistant. The character was designed by illustrator Kevan Atteberry, who created more than 15 possible characters for Microsoft Office Assistants. This application is not affiliated with, approved or endorsed by Microsoft. Consider it software art. If you don't like it, consider it software satire. Explore Clippy's GitHub

And with respect to your features and facilities, they add the following:

1. Includes an iSimple, familiar, and classic chat interface: Therefore, it allows the eSending messages, questions or commands (prompts) to the various added models to subsequently receive a response.
2. It offers advanced use, but without complicated configurations: Therefore, just by opening the application, download a model and chat, you can now gracies to the use of llama.cpp and node-llama-cpp, automatically and efficiently use various LLM models. In addition, it allows the cload of downloaded own models, including via GGUF files.
3. Allows offline use, as it works locally and for free: Therefore, everything runs on the computers where it is installed. And consequently, lThe only network (Internet) request that Clippy makes is to check for updates (which can be disabled).

Screenshots: Download, installation and use

Finally, and to conclude, it is important to make it clear that, Clippy is compatible (thanks to Llama.cpp) with most GGUF models. Which, it is pcan be found in many online sources, such as, HuggingFace, with the following recommended quantified models: TheBloke y Unsloth.

A file GGUF is a binary file format specifically designed for the rapid loading and saving of AI models. It was also designed to overcome the limitations of the still-prevalent AI model file format called GGML. Thanks to its compatibility with various programming languages ​​such as Python and R, it has gained popularity. It also allows for easier fine-tuning of LLMs used in specialized applications, among many other advantages, such as a smaller AI model size (LLM/RAG). Learn more about GGUF files

Top AI Chatbot Clients for the Linux Desktop

1. AnythingLLM: AI chatbot using Docker, with support for LLM/RAG and GGUF files.
2. Chat AI Chatbot with Flatpak that offers a GUI for Bai Chat's web AI Chatbot.
3. chat box: A comprehensive, cross-platform AI chatbot with support for many LLMs.
4. DeepRoot: AI chatbot that offers a user-friendly graphical interface to use AI models.
5. GPT4All: Free, local AI chatbot that offers efficient privacy mechanisms.
6. Jan: AI Chatbot with support for many LLM and GGUF files, and comes in AppImage.
7. Koboldcpp: Simple AI chatbot that offers a useful LLM AI Models GUI.
8. LM Studio: AI chatbot with support for LLM/RAG and GGUF files. Comes in an AppImage.
9. Local AI: AI chatbot that offers a useful GUI for various LLM models, powered by Docker.
10. Pinocchio: AI Chatbot that includes a Navigator and Manager of apps and AI models.
11. PyGPT: Personal, open, cross-platform, multimodal AI chatbot written in Python.
12. NetxChat: : Cross-platform, lightweight, and fast AI chatbot with support for multiple LLMs.
13. Witsy: Multi LLM/RAG Desktop AI Chatbot.

Top AI Chatbot Clients for the Linux Terminal

1. OpenLLM.
2. Shell Genie
3. GPT Terminal

Recommended Online AI Chatbot Clients

1. Copilot MS
2. DeepSeek
3. DuckDuckGo AI Chat
4. HuggingCat
5. HuggingChat Spaces
6. Google AI Studio
7. Google Gemini
8. Grok
9. LMSYS Chatbot Arena
10. Qwenim

Summary

In summary, this AI Chatbot app for Linux called “Clippy Desktop Assistant” Not only is it perfectly functional and easy to install and use, but it is also user-friendly and can bring back many pleasant and funny memories by using the nostalgic and beloved digital figure of Clippy as a visual interface. That is, the most well-known digital character of more than 15 existing ones that were part of Microsoft's Office Assistants. And since, We have also recommended many other AI Chatbot Desktop Clients for Linux.We invite you to mention any other products that are worth knowing, trying, and sharing via comments if you know of any others.

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