Systems, Seen · №2 · ollama/ollama, 2023–2026

Ollama didn't choose between build and borrow. It chose where.

scroll the chart sideways →

Where Ollama's inference engine lived, 2023–2026A continuous product surface on top that only grows; underneath, the inference engine moves between four ownership lanes and ends split by model format.

From the repository's own history (github.com/ollama/ollama, full clone, HEAD 16b4376a). Engine phases: 6093a88c · 42998d79 · b754f5a6 · ed443a03 · dcfb7a10 · d8cc798c · 9db4bdba · 2e036e7c. Surface: 7a0899d6 /api/chat · 453f572f /v1 · b9f5e16c /api/embed · 8b894933 /api/me; the 2023 commands and endpoints exist at every checkpoint. Only one reason is stated by the maintainers (9db4bdba), quoted as written; nothing about performance or cost is claimed.