8 posts
“Fine-tuning or RAG?” is a false dilemma. The 2026 sequence: Prompt → RAG → Fine-tune → Distill. LoRA/QLoRA, small language models, distillation, and the KVKK-sensitive self-host decision.
Fine-tuning teaches behavior, RAG brings knowledge. The 'Prompt → RAG → Fine-tune → Distill' decision framework with LoRA/QLoRA adapters, RFT, and small language models.
Fine-tuning shapes behavior; RAG supplies knowledge. The right 2026 order: prompt first, then RAG, then LoRA/QLoRA, distillation last. A field decision guide.
RFT, LoRA and QLoRA — when to fine-tune vs use RAG. The form-vs-facts rule and KVKK-compliant training data.
What is LoRA? LoRA (Low-Rank Adaptation) is a parameter-efficient fine-tuning method that adapts a large language model by adding small, trainable matrices next to its frozen weights instead of changing all of them. This guide: a clear definition, how LoRA works, QLoRA and variants, the adapter idea, fine-tuning cost, comparison with full fine-tuning, and FAQs.
The 2026 fine-tuning stack: base → SFT → DPO. I explain preference optimization, LoRA/QLoRA, and when to fine-tune instead of using RAG, from the field.
Small language models and fine-tuning: cost-effective customization with LoRA, QLoRA, and distillation. When an SLM beats a big API, and RAG vs FT.
The most current, detailed 2026 Turkish guide to adapting an LLM to your domain. Covers when fine-tuning is necessary, the math behind LoRA, 4-bit training with QLoRA, why DPO beats PPO, modern alternatives (ORPO/KTO/IPO), Turkish dataset sources, GPU/cloud cost modeling, production pipelines, 3 anonymized Turkish enterprise case studies, and KVKK-compliant training. For developers, MLOps engineers, and AI architects.