Llama Cookbook

About this course

The Llama Cookbook is Meta's official guide to building with Llama, one of the most capable open-source AI models available today. This course walks you through real, production-ready examples for inference, fine-tuning, and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)—three essential skills for anyone working with modern language models. Created by Meta's team, you're learning directly from the builders who made Llama.

What you'll learn

• Run Llama models efficiently for inference on different hardware setups
• Fine-tune Llama on your own data to create specialized, domain-specific AI models
• Build Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) systems that let models reference external knowledge
• Optimize model performance for speed and cost in production environments
• Work with prompt engineering techniques specific to Llama's strengths
• Deploy and integrate Llama into real applications and workflows
• Understand the practical trade-offs between model size, speed, and accuracy

Who this is for

This course is designed for developers and engineers who want hands-on experience building with cutting-edge AI models. You're ready if you have some coding experience and want to move beyond chatbots into building custom AI systems.

• Software engineers — develop production AI applications that run efficiently on your infrastructure
• Data scientists — fine-tune models on proprietary datasets to unlock custom intelligence
• AI researchers — experiment with open-source models and contribute to the broader AI community
• Startup founders — build AI-powered features without vendor lock-in or massive infrastructure costs

Prerequisites

Solid comfort with Python programming, basic understanding of how neural networks work, and familiarity with command-line tools. A GPU isn't required to start, but you'll appreciate having one for faster training and inference.

Why this matters for Indian learners

Open-source AI models like Llama are reshaping how Indian tech companies build and deploy AI—from fintech startups optimizing for low-bandwidth regions to enterprises building customer-facing AI without expensive cloud licensing. Companies like Infosys, TCS, and dozens of Indian AI startups are actively hiring engineers who can work with models like Llama. Learning to fine-tune and deploy these models positions you for roles that command competitive salaries, especially in Bangalore, Pune, and Hyderabad's growing AI ecosystem.

Frequently asked questions

Is this course really free?

Yes, completely free. The course is hosted on GitHub and maintained by Meta with no paywalls or hidden costs.

How long will it take to complete?

Plan for around 10 hours total. That works well as a 2–3 hour per week commitment over a month, giving you time to practice between sessions.

Will I get a certificate?

This course doesn't offer an official certificate, but you'll gain hands-on portfolio pieces—fine-tuned models, working RAG systems, and deployed applications—that matter far more to employers than a credential.