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LLMs-from-scratch Review

LLMs-from-scratch is an educational resource and methodology for implementing a ChatGPT-like Large Language Model in PyTorch from foundational components.

shipped Jul 22, 2026freemium
Domain rating94Monthly visits279/mo
LLMs-from-scratch — product screenshot

Why it matters

1Provides step-by-step implementation guidance for LLM development.
2Focuses on the PyTorch framework for building models.
3Offers a freemium pricing model for access to content.
4Addresses compliance with EU AI Act categories including Limited Risk for generative AI.

About LLMs-from-scratch

Business Model
purchase
Headquarters
Oulu, Finland
Founded
2013
Team Size
51-200
Funding
Series A
Total Raised
$100 million
Platforms
iOS, Android, Web
Target Audience
Health-conscious individuals

Pricing Plans

Oura Ring
$299 / one-time purchase
  • Sleep tracking
  • Activity tracking
  • Heart rate monitoring
  • Body temperature tracking

Leadership

Kim DikertCEO
Janne EronenCo-founder

Investors

Gradient Ventures, Inventure, Maki.vc

Specs

API Available

Yes, public API

Screenshots

overview

What is LLMs-from-scratch?

LLMs-from-scratch is an AI education and development methodology that enables ML/AI researchers, LLM research engineers, students, and developers to implement a ChatGPT-like Large Language Model in PyTorch from foundational components. It provides a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to understanding and building LLMs, offering maximum control over architecture, training data, and deployment for specific performance, security, and privacy requirements. The approach is supported by resources such as Sebastian Raschka's book "Build a Large Language Model (From Scratch)" and the create-llm CLI tool, which assists in scaffolding, training, and evaluating custom LLMs. This method contrasts with fine-tuning existing models or utilizing commercial LLM APIs by prioritizing deep understanding and full intellectual property ownership.

features

Key Features of LLMs-from-scratch

LLMs-from-scratch provides a structured approach to understanding and building Large Language Models, emphasizing practical implementation and foundational knowledge. Key features include detailed guidance on transformer architecture, tokenization, and training loops, enabling users to develop highly customized AI solutions.

  • Step-by-step implementation of ChatGPT-like LLMs.
  • Utilization of the PyTorch deep learning framework.
  • Guidance on foundational LLM concepts and architecture.
  • Support for developing practical skills in large language model construction.
  • Access to resources like the create-llm CLI tool for scaffolding.
  • Coverage of DeepSeek Sparse Attention implementation.
  • Discussions on new open-weight LLM architectures.

use cases

Who Should Use LLMs-from-scratch?

LLMs-from-scratch is designed for individuals and organizations seeking a deep, hands-on understanding of Large Language Model development, offering full control and customization capabilities.

  • ML/AI Researchers: For in-depth study of LLM architecture and experimental model development.
  • LLM Research Engineers: To build and evaluate custom LLMs tailored to specific research objectives.
  • Students of AI/ML: As an educational framework to grasp the internal workings of LLMs, including tokenization and transformer architecture.
  • Developers Interested in LLMs: To acquire practical skills for building large language models and advancing expertise in AI/ML.
  • Startups Needing Custom AI Assistants: For developing proprietary AI solutions with full intellectual property ownership and tailored needs.

how to use

How to Use LLMs-from-scratch

To begin with LLMs-from-scratch, users typically engage with educational materials such as books or online courses that provide a structured curriculum for building LLMs using PyTorch. The process involves understanding theoretical concepts and then implementing them through coding exercises.

  • 1Acquire the primary resource, such as Sebastian Raschka's book "Build a Large Language Model (From Scratch)" or access relevant online courses.
  • 2Set up a development environment with PyTorch and necessary dependencies.
  • 3Follow the step-by-step instructions to implement core LLM components like tokenizers and transformer blocks.
  • 4Train the custom LLM on a chosen dataset, understanding the training loops and optimization processes.
  • 5Evaluate the performance of the developed LLM and iterate on its architecture or training parameters.
  • 6Utilize tools like the create-llm CLI for scaffolding and managing LLM development projects.

pricing

LLMs-from-scratch Pricing & Plans

The LLMs-from-scratch approach is primarily supported by educational resources that operate on a freemium model. This includes free online articles and tutorials, alongside paid resources such as comprehensive books and video courses. Specific pricing for the create-llm CLI tool is not detailed as it is an open-source project.

  • Freemium: Access to foundational guides and open-source tools without direct cost, with premium content (books, courses) available for purchase.

Pros

  • +Provides a deep, foundational understanding of LLM architecture and implementation.
  • +Offers maximum control over model design, training data, and deployment.
  • +Enables full intellectual property ownership for custom AI solutions.
  • +Facilitates the development of highly customized, domain-specific LLMs.
  • +Supported by comprehensive educational resources, including books and CLI tools like create-llm.
  • +Utilizes the widely adopted PyTorch framework for practical implementation.

Cons

  • Significantly more resource-intensive and costly than fine-tuning or using LLM APIs.
  • Requires a strong background in machine learning and Python programming.
  • Development timelines are considerably longer compared to leveraging existing models.
  • May not be suitable for users seeking quick deployment or minimal technical overhead.
  • Specific public user reviews for the create-llm CLI tool are not widely available.

Similar Tools

LLMs-from-scratch vs Competitors

The 'LLMs-from-scratch' methodology and associated tools differentiate themselves by offering deep, foundational understanding and maximum control, contrasting with alternatives that prioritize ease of use or cost-efficiency through pre-trained models or APIs.

1
Towards AI: Build your own Large Language Model (LLM) From Scratch Using PyTorch

Provides a detailed, step-by-step textual guide with code snippets for building an LLM in PyTorch.

Similar to LLMs-from-scratch in its step-by-step PyTorch implementation, but presented as a free article/blog post rather than a dedicated tool or platform.

2
DataCamp: Complete Guide to Building a Transformer Model with PyTorch

Offers an interactive, structured course environment for learning to build a Transformer model from scratch.

DataCamp provides a more guided, interactive learning experience with exercises, likely requiring a subscription, whereas LLMs-from-scratch is described as a step-by-step implementation guide, potentially more code-focused.

3
Udemy: Build a Custom AI Tiny LLM from Scratch Using PyTorch Part-1

A comprehensive, paid video course focused on building a 'TinyGPT' from scratch on a local machine using PyTorch.

This is a direct competitor as a paid, in-depth course for building an LLM from scratch in PyTorch, offering a structured curriculum and potentially more support than a free guide.

4
How to Build an LLM From Scratch in PyTorch (YouTube - vossenwout)

A free, detailed video tutorial with accompanying GitHub code, focusing on practical implementation and explanation of an LLM in PyTorch.

Offers a free, visual, and auditory learning experience with practical code, similar to LLMs-from-scratch's goal but in a video format, potentially appealing to different learning styles.

5
Maven: Build Production-Ready LLMs From Scratch by Damien Benveniste

A bootcamp-style course designed to equip learners with skills to build and deploy production-ready LLMs, including advanced topics like RAG and scaling.

This course is likely more intensive and higher-priced than LLMs-from-scratch, targeting professionals aiming for production deployment and offering a broader scope beyond just the 'from scratch' implementation.