freeCodeCamp x Encode | AI - Workshop: Vibecoding Using Local AIs

Learn how to use open-source harnesses like OpenCode & Pi w/ your own LLM and with it, build a real-world application
Hello code campers!
Since everyone is talking about using harnesses such as Anthropic Claude or OpenAI Codex, meaning, everyone is probably tired of hearing about them, we've decided to go in a different direction and explore other, less-known things such as, OpenCode and Pi DOT Dev.

Figure 1: OpenCode VS Pi.Dev
Come and join us and learn how to work with a wide range of open-source large language models (LLMs) such as DeepSeek V4, Gemma, Kimi K2, and GLM across various local-first environments. This comprehensive workshop designed to teach you what is a code harness, how many types of them there are out there (you might be familiar with Claude Code or Codex or CoPilot but there are others and since the big-tech companies are moving to token-based usage, why not run your own solution locally). We'll also explore how to go about having effective agentic coding workflows while benchmarking model performance and hardware requirements.
We will go through the setup process, focusing on how to install the desired LLM runner like Ollama or LMstudio locally.
This will be our 7th event in our series of local-first, open-source AI events; therefore, we will try to focus on building a setup that doesn't depend on Big Tech but on smaller open-source tech instead.
This workshop is open to all levels, from beginners to experts.
Bring your laptop (make sure it's fully charged as local LLMs tend to be power-hungry), and don't forget to bring your coding gear (hoodie).
We are delighted to announce that we are going to be accompanied by a guest speaker Vlad.
BIO - Vlad S. is a software engineer with 20 years of experience delivering high-quality software for businesses, he developed a specific method for integrating local AI models into professional workflows, prioritizing code quality, efficiency, and control. In this 30-minute session, he will demonstrate a live coding workflow using local AI to produce production-grade code, showing how solo developers can adopt the technique and how it scales for larger organisations.

Prerequisite
Prerequisite: a local Ollama, LMStudio installation or equivalent (but if you don't have any of that, don't worry, come a bit early and we will help you).
If you want to take a quick look at the slides from the previous events fell free to do so:
https://andysign.github.io/ai-london-01/ (Ollama);
https://andysign.github.io/ai-london-02/ (LangFlow, not really related but still)
https://andysign.github.io/ai-london-03/ (private RAG w/ Anything LLM)
https://andysign.github.io/ai-london-04/ (AI-native browsers)
https://andysign.github.io/ai-london-05/ (OpenClaw basics)
https://andysign.github.io/ai-london-06/ (OpenClaw advanced)

Agenda for the evening (Subject to change)
18:00 - 18:30 Arrival and networking

Mingle with fellow developers over refreshments.
18:30 - 18:45 Introductions

Intro and a bit of audience engagement
18:45 - 19:40 Workshop
Hands-on technical workshop (if you are non-technical it's OK, tag along).
20:30 - 20:45 Guest Speaker?
20:30 - 21:00 Networking
21:00 - Closing remarks and follow-up
END: Carry on the fun at a nearby pub which is right @ the corner.

Event Venue
We'd like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Encode Club.
Encode Club has spent over five years fostering a global community of developers, researchers, and founders in Web3, AI, and emerging technologies. The Encode Hub brings everything together under one roof, providing a dedicated environment for collaboration and innovation through meetups, co-working, and in-person events.