Neat SDK

The Neat Development Environment (referred to as Neat SDK) is the recommended host-side workspace for building large scale Neat applications and validating them on a Modalix DevKit. It brings the build tools, model tools, hardware connection, and agent-ready source context into one containerized workflow.

The SDK connects three places:

• Host machine: where you install and start the SDK container.
• SDK container: where you build applications, compile models, use agent tooling, and inspect shared files.
• Modalix DevKit: where compiled model artifacts and Neat applications run on hardware.

DevKit Sync connects those places with a shared /workspace, so build outputs, logs, model artifacts, and application files are visible from the host, SDK container, and DevKit without a manual copy step. That shared workspace is the center of the SDK workflow.

Start here

Start with SDK installation. Use the other SDK topics when you need to change settings, add Model Compiler later, understand DevKit Sync behavior, or prepare offline packages for restricted networks.

SDK-only happy path

If you installed the SDK and have not paired a DevKit, you only need two steps: Install the Environment, then Compile a Model — model compilation runs entirely in the SDK. Configure SDK, DevKit Sync, Install Model Compiler (it is offered during setup), and the Neat Library and PyNeat pages are optional side-trips; visit them only when you need them or once you pair a DevKit.

SDK Topics

Install the SDK, then use optional configuration topics when you need to change settings, install Model Compiler, or work with a paired DevKit.

• Install the EnvironmentInstall and set up the SDK package that matches your DevKit software version.
• DevKit SyncUnderstand workspace sharing, pairing updates, rsync fallback, and dk command execution.
• Offline InstallationDownload SDK and Model Compiler packages for restricted network environments.

To change SDK settings after installation, such as workspace location or DevKit pairing, see Configure SDK.

Model Compiler is offered during SDK setup. To install it later, pin a specific version, or use a standalone host, see Install Model Compiler.

For hosts that cannot download packages directly, see Offline Installation.

What's Included

• Cross-compilation environment: build C++ Neat applications for Modalix from a Linux container on your host.
• DevKit Sync: pair the SDK with a Modalix DevKit and expose the same workspace in both places.
• Model tooling: install the matching Model Compiler in the SDK. It is required to compile or quantize ONNX or GenAI models yourself, and optional only if you exclusively use precompiled model packages.
• Insight: inspect workspace files, media sources, stream delivery, and runtime behavior from a browser.
• Agent-ready context: use bundled Codex and Claude skills with current Neat source references and examples.

Host requirements

Confirm your host machine meets these minimums before you install the SDK. Administrator (sudo) privileges are required to install the SDK on every supported host — not only for optional DevKit networking — because installing sima-cli, Docker Engine, the SDK image, and NFS packages all need elevated permissions.

Host OS	CPU	RAM	Free disk	Admin / sudo
Ubuntu 22.04 / 24.04 (x86_64 or arm64)	4 cores min	16 GB min	100 GB	sudo for SDK install (sima-cli, Docker, SDK image), NFS install/config, and shared-network/firewall setup
Windows 11 via WSL (x86_64)	4 cores min	16 GB min	100 GB	Administrator for SDK install in WSL (Docker, sima-cli), WSL networking, and NFS firewall rules
macOS 15.5+ Apple Silicon (arm64)	4 cores min	16 GB min	100 GB	Administrator for SDK install (Homebrew, Colima, sima-cli), Full Disk Access (nfsd), and Internet Sharing

GenAI model compilation needs more

Compiling GenAI models with LLiMa is far heavier than the base SDK: 128 GB RAM is recommended and 512 GB of disk is preferred, and a higher core count helps. See GenAI setup for the full requirements.

Supported Platforms

Platform	Arch	SDK	Model Compiler
Ubuntu 22.04 and 24.04 through Docker Engine	x86_64	Yes	Yes
Windows 11 through WSL and Docker Engine	x86_64	Yes	Yes
Ubuntu 22.04 and 24.04 through Docker Engine	arm64	Yes	Model Compiler 2.1.2 and later
macOS 15.5 or above through Colima	arm64	Yes	Model Compiler 2.1.2 and later; install it inside the Neat SDK

Architecture names

arm64 and aarch64 are the same 64-bit Arm architecture — macOS reports it as arm64, Linux reports it as aarch64. Likewise, x86_64 and amd64 are the same architecture. Run uname -m on your host (or inside the SDK) to see which one you have. The Model Compiler install commands use arm64 and amd64 — see Install Model Compiler.

Installing a specific version

Standard installation pulls the current supported defaults. The release-2.1 channel used on the Install the Environment page always tracks the latest 2.1 patch release. To pin an exact SDK, Neat Library, or Model Compiler version, see the Compatibility Guide.

Tools in the SDK

The SDK is the recommended place to install and update the Neat Library when you are building applications for a paired DevKit.

To access the SDK from a terminal, VS Code, or a browser with Neat Insight, see Install the Environment.

During SDK setup, sima-cli prompts you to install the matching Model Compiler automatically. Install it if you compile or quantize models yourself; you can skip it if you only use precompiled model packages. For compiler setup and usage, see Compile a Model.

Next Step

Start with Install the Environment.