Darkbloom Autopilot: what it does today, and how to join or leave from BloomGauge
Updated
Short answer: Darkbloom Autopilot is an experimental, opt-in feature that will one day choose which of your downloaded models stay loaded. In the current rollout it only watches: your Mac keeps loading and serving models as before, but model switching is turned off while you’re enrolled. In BloomGauge you join or leave Autopilot from its Autopilot card, with no Terminal. Darkbloom facts below come from its open-source docs (links at the end).
What Autopilot is
Autopilot looks at demand across the network and, once Darkbloom switches it to live, will decide which of the models already downloaded on your Mac stay in memory, aiming to keep the Mac busy. Darkbloom says it does not promise higher utilization or earnings. It never downloads models; it covers the verified network models you already have.
Today it only watches (shadow mode)
- Joining records your consent for the “shadow” rollout. Until Darkbloom sends its first instructions the phase reads waiting, then shadow.
- In shadow mode Autopilot doesn’t change which models are loaded. Your models and idle settings keep working as before.
- Only Darkbloom can move the rollout to live; there is no switch for it on your Mac. When it does, the phase reads active.
Join or leave from BloomGauge
- BloomGauge’s Autopilot card shows whether this Mac is enrolled, whether Autopilot is watching or choosing, which models it covers and what it is doing. It’s in the Optimizer tab (on the Mac and the phone), and also in Earnings → Overview (the pulse) while the Mac is enrolled.
- The card also shows Autopilot earnings (a floor estimate and “Is Autopilot earning you more?”) and model advice. The advice is information only; it changes nothing.
- Join Darkbloom Autopilot enrolls the Mac. The button is only on the Optimizer tab card on the Mac (not on the phone, in the pulse or during setup), and appears once the Mac runs Darkbloom 0.9.16 or later, which installs automatically.
- Turn off Autopilot leaves it and brings back your saved idle setting. Your downloaded models stay on disk.
- When BloomGauge starts Darkbloom for you, Darkbloom doesn’t ask about Autopilot, so the Join button is the way in.
Model switching is off while you’re enrolled
While a Mac is enrolled, Darkbloom doesn’t accept manual model switches, even in shadow mode. To pick models yourself (or let BloomGauge’s Manager do it), turn Autopilot off on its card.
BloomGauge while Autopilot is watching (shadow, waiting or paused)
From BloomGauge beta 48:
- The Manager pauses and says why, and BloomGauge never changes the model. Model controls show “Autopilot is in its test phase (watching only). Turn off Autopilot to switch models yourself.” Turning the Manager on isn’t possible while enrolled.
- Keep this Mac earning stays on: it reloads the same model, restarts a stuck Darkbloom and recovers stalls, as usual. If work stops while similar Macs are busy, BloomGauge first sends Darkbloom a test request, then tries one restart on the same model.
- Keep my model loaded stays on.
- Why not earning? names the Autopilot phase, and you can restart Darkbloom from there. Autopilot stays on.
BloomGauge once Autopilot is live (active)
- Darkbloom chooses the models, and the Manager steps back to watching.
- If Darkbloom pauses Autopilot, BloomGauge leaves the Mac alone.
- Model controls show what Autopilot loaded and why.
- Keep this Mac earning only restarts a stopped Darkbloom, and sends a test request when the Mac gets no work while similar Macs do (at most once every 30 minutes). It never changes models.
- Why not earning? explains Autopilot’s latest change.
Should you join?
It’s your choice, and it’s experimental. In shadow mode it changes nothing yet, and you give up model switching: your own, and BloomGauge’s Manager (BloomGauge’s repairs keep working). If you want BloomGauge to pick your model, stay out for now. If you join, you can leave at any time from the Autopilot card. BloomGauge never joins or leaves for you.
Sources
- How Autopilot works: github.com/Layr-Labs/d-inference/blob/master/docs/architecture/model-autopilot.md
- Autopilot reference (phases and leaving): github.com/Layr-Labs/d-inference/blob/master/docs/provider/cli-reference.md
How BloomGauge helps
From beta 48, BloomGauge’s Autopilot card lets you join or leave Darkbloom Autopilot without Terminal and shows whether it is watching or choosing, and which models it covers. While Autopilot only watches, BloomGauge keeps repairing the Mac on the same model; once Autopilot is live, BloomGauge steps back and shows what Autopilot chose. It never joins or leaves for you.
Questions
What is Darkbloom Autopilot?
An experimental, opt-in Darkbloom feature that will choose which of your downloaded models stay loaded once Darkbloom switches it to live. In the current rollout it only watches (shadow mode) and changes nothing on your Mac.
How do I turn off Darkbloom Autopilot?
In BloomGauge, press Turn off Autopilot on the Autopilot card. Your saved idle setting comes back and your downloaded models stay on disk.
Why can’t I switch Darkbloom models?
Your Mac is enrolled in Autopilot. While enrolled, Darkbloom doesn’t accept manual switches, even in shadow mode. Turn Autopilot off to switch models yourself.
Does Darkbloom Autopilot download models?
No. It only covers verified network models already downloaded on your Mac.
Related
- Which Darkbloom model should I run on my Mac?
- Can you run several Darkbloom models at once?
- Darkbloom 0.9.10: live model switching and on-demand loading
- BloomGauge Guardian: keeps your Mac earning
- How to set up Darkbloom on a Mac, step by step
Updated 2026-10-02. Still stuck? Ask in #bloomgauge on the Darkbloom Slack or contact us. BloomGauge is independent and not affiliated with Darkbloom.