Simple Preference Optimization for LLM alignment. Reference-free alternative to DPO with better performance (+6.4 points on AlpacaEval 2.0). No reference model needed, more efficient than DPO. Use for preference alignment when want simpler, faster training than DPO/PPO.
npxskills add zechenzhangagi/ai-research-skills--skill simpo-trainingLoading…
SimPO is a reference-free preference optimization method that outperforms DPO without needing a reference model.
Installation:
# Create environment
conda create -n simpo python=3.10 && conda activate simpo
# Install PyTorch 2.2.2
# Visit: https://pytorch.org/get-started/locally/
# Install alignment-handbook
git clone https://github.com/huggingface/alignment-handbook.git
cd alignment-handbook
python -m pip install .
# Install Flash Attention 2
python -m pip install flash-attn --no-build-isolation
Training (Mistral 7B):
ACCELERATE_LOG_LEVEL=info accelerate launch \
--config_file accelerate_configs/deepspeed_zero3.yaml \
scripts/run_simpo.py \
training_configs/mistral-7b-base-simpo.yaml
Config (mistral-7b-base-simpo.yaml):
# Model
model_name_or_path: mistralai/Mistral-7B-v0.1
torch_dtype: bfloat16
# Dataset
dataset_mixer:
HuggingFaceH4/ultrafeedback_binarized: 1.0
dataset_splits:
- train_prefs
- test_prefs
# SimPO hyperparameters
beta: 2.0 # Reward scaling (2.0-10.0)
gamma_beta_ratio: 0.5 # Target margin (0-1)
loss_type: sigmoid # sigmoid or hinge
sft_weight: 0.0 # Optional SFT regularization
# Training
learning_rate: 5e-7 # Critical: 3e-7 to 1e-6
num_train_epochs: 1
per_device_train_batch_size: 1
gradient_accumulation_steps: 8
# Output
output_dir: ./outputs/mistral-7b-simpo
Launch training:
accelerate launch --config_file accelerate_configs/deepspeed_zero3.yaml \
scripts/run_simpo.py training_configs/mistral-7b-base-simpo.yaml
Config (llama3-8b-instruct-simpo.yaml):
model_name_or_path: meta-llama/Meta-Llama-3-8B-Instruct
dataset_mixer:
argilla/ultrafeedback-binarized-preferences-cleaned: 1.0
beta: 2.5
gamma_beta_ratio: 0.5
learning_rate: 5e-7
sft_weight: 0.1 # Add SFT loss to preserve capabilities
num_train_epochs: 1
per_device_train_batch_size: 2
gradient_accumulation_steps: 4
output_dir: ./outputs/llama3-8b-simpo
Launch:
accelerate launch --config_file accelerate_configs/deepspeed_zero3.yaml \
scripts/run_simpo.py training_configs/llama3-8b-instruct-simpo.yaml
For math/code tasks:
model_name_or_path: deepseek-ai/deepseek-math-7b-base
dataset_mixer:
argilla/distilabel-math-preference-dpo: 1.0
beta: 5.0 # Higher for stronger signal
gamma_beta_ratio: 0.7 # Larger margin
learning_rate: 3e-7 # Lower LR for reasoning
sft_weight: 0.0
num_train_epochs: 1
per_device_train_batch_size: 1
gradient_accumulation_steps: 16
Use SimPO when:
Algorithm selection:
Use alternatives instead:
Issue: Loss divergence
Reduce learning rate:
learning_rate: 3e-7 # Reduce from 5e-7
Reduce beta:
beta: 1.0 # Reduce from 2.0
Issue: Model forgets capabilities
Add SFT regularization:
sft_weight: 0.1 # Add SFT loss component
Issue: Poor preference separation
Increase beta and margin:
beta: 5.0 # Increase from 2.0
gamma_beta_ratio: 0.8 # Increase from 0.5
Issue: OOM during training
Reduce batch size:
per_device_train_batch_size: 1
gradient_accumulation_steps: 16 # Maintain effective batch
Enable gradient checkpointing:
gradient_checkpointing: true
Loss functions: See references/loss-functions.md for sigmoid vs hinge loss, mathematical formulations, and when to use each.
Hyperparameter tuning: See references/hyperparameters.md for beta, gamma, learning rate selection guide, and model-size-specific recommendations.
Dataset preparation: See references/datasets.md for preference data formats, quality filtering, and custom dataset creation.
Memory optimization:
Create or update AgentSkills. Use when designing, structuring, or packaging skills with scripts, references, and assets.
Create or update AgentSkills. Use when designing, structuring, or packaging skills with scripts, references, and assets.
Set up and use 1Password CLI (op). Use when installing the CLI, enabling desktop app integration, signing in (single or multi-account), or reading/injecting/running secrets via op.
CLI to manage emails via IMAP/SMTP. Use `himalaya` to list, read, write, reply, forward, search, and organize emails from the terminal. Supports multiple accounts and message composition with MML (MIME Meta Language).
Create or update AgentSkills. Use when designing, structuring, or packaging skills with scripts, references, and assets.
Create or update AgentSkills. Use when designing, structuring, or packaging skills with scripts, references, and assets.
Set up and use 1Password CLI (op). Use when installing the CLI, enabling desktop app integration, signing in (single or multi-account), or reading/injecting/running secrets via op.
CLI to manage emails via IMAP/SMTP. Use `himalaya` to list, read, write, reply, forward, search, and organize emails from the terminal. Supports multiple accounts and message composition with MML (MIME Meta Language).