Starting from Transformers version 4.42, the library requires a chat template for chat-based models. This configuration, defined in the Jinja format, specifies constraints for chat message inputs. Understanding and implementing these templates is crucial for optimal performance across various Large Language Models (LLMs) such as OpenAI's ChatGPT, Anthropic's Claude, and Google's Gemini.
A chat template is a configuration file that defines how chat messages are structured and passed to the underlying model. This structure ensures that the model receives well-defined inputs for optimal performance. The template is written in the Jinja templating language, allowing for flexible and reusable configurations.
- Message Role Specification: Defines whether a message is from the system, user, or assistant.
- Input Formatting: Ensures the input adheres to the expected format by the ch