TextComputer-use agentsImage + text

Underdog Saluki

Qwen3.8-27B squeezed to 2 bits into a single 7.9 GB GGUF file instead of 54 GB, with the focus on keeping tool calling intact. By the authors' measurements (their Underdog Bench), tool calling is 88 against 84 for the full model, parallel calls 42 against 35, and on average 96% of the full model's quality across nine tests. It runs on plain llama.cpp and Ollama, thinking mode can be switched on and off, and it understands images with a separate vision file (about 0.6 to 0.9 GB). Language stated on the card: English.

Developer
ConwayResearch (Underdog), not stated
First release
Oct 2026
Latest release
Oct 2026
Sizes
27B (7.9 GB file)
License
Commercial use allowedApache 2.0
Russian
Not stated
Ready-made builds
GGUF
Running
Available in OllamaNeeds a GPU
Industries
Software development, Customer support
Deploy on your server Hugging Face

What it does

  • an agent with tool calling on a home graphics card
  • a local coding assistant with functions
  • analysing pictures with the vision file attached

Where it is used

software developmentsmall companies with their own servercustomer support

Hardware requirements

LaptopLaptop or regular PC, up to 8 GB of VRAM — smaller versions
fits
1 GPUOne GPU with 16–80 GB — mid-size versions
fits
ClusterServer with several GPUs — flagship versions
no versions

Versions

  1. Underdog Saluki 27B 1.0 (IQ2-mix GGUF)

How to run it

With Ollama — the fastest wayInstall Ollama on your computer or server and find the model in its library by name. Good enough to try the model on your own tasks in one evening.Find it in the Ollama library
On your own serverWeights are downloaded from Hugging Face and served with vLLM (load and API) or llama.cpp (modest hardware). The model then runs in a closed network with no per-request fees.Hugging Face
How much hardware you needCalculate the VRAM for the model size, context length and number of concurrent requests.Open the hardware calculator

I can set this up end to end: pick the model size, deploy it on your server and connect it to your systems. Quantization compresses a model so it takes less video memory and runs on more modest hardware. Answers change slightly, so quality is checked on your own examples.

Frequently asked questions

Can Underdog Saluki be used in a commercial project?

Yes. License: Apache 2.0. It allows commercial use, but it is still worth having a lawyer review the license before launch.

What hardware does Underdog Saluki need?

At minimum: Laptop or regular PC, up to 8 GB of VRAM — smaller versions. Without a GPU the model is not practical. You can calculate the exact VRAM for your model size and context in the hardware calculator.

Does Underdog Saluki support Russian?

The model card does not list languages, so Russian support cannot be promised — it has to be tested on your own examples.

Where can I download Underdog Saluki and what does it cost?

The Underdog Saluki weights are open and free to download. You only pay for the hardware it runs on and for the setup. Source links are at the bottom of this page.

How I deploy it for clients

  1. SelectionI pick the model size for your task and hardware and test it on your examples.
  2. DeploymentI deploy it on your server or in a closed network and provide an API.
  3. Fine-tuningI fine-tune it on your data (LoRA) or connect a knowledge base — whichever is cheaper for the task.
  4. IntegrationI connect it to your CRM, ERP, bot, website or team chat and set up monitoring.

Similar models

TextQwenAlibaba · ChinaCommercial use with conditions

A family of language models with strong Russian language support, from small versions for a laptop to a flagship on par with commercial APIs.

DetailsTextGemmaGoogle · USACommercial use allowed

Compact Google models that run well on a single computer; larger versions understand images. Includes CodeGemma for code, FunctionGemma 270M for function calling and the fast DiffusionGemma.

Details

Source: huggingface.co/ConwayResearch/Underdog-Saluki-27B-1.0. Data checked against the model card on 22 Sep 2026. Have a lawyer review the license before commercial launch.