Hermes Agent

Hermes Agent — the AI Agent that learns from itself

Nous Research's open-source self-improving AI agent. Runs natively on Windows, macOS, Linux, WSL2, and Android, with 60+ built-in tools and 20+ messaging platforms through one gateway. Release news updated through stable v0.21.6 (October 8, 2026).

What this site helps you do

🚀 5-minute install

One-line install for Mac / Linux; native PowerShell or WSL2 on Windows.

Install now

📖 Documentation

Core guides are based on v2026.9.24, with release news updated through stable v0.21.6. Includes CLI reference, Skills, Desktop Connectors, and upgrade notes.

Read docs

💬 Messaging integrations

Connect Hermes to your team chat in 30 minutes — assistant or ticket bot.

See integrations

🤖 LLM providers

Configuration recipes for top LLM providers, including direct-access options.

Configure provider

What is Hermes Agent?

Hermes Agent is the open-source self-learning AI agent from Nous Research. The latest stable patch, v0.21.6 (October 8, 2026), rolls the work since v0.21.5 into a tested Docker image and a stable release for Docker, Hermes Cloud, and git-based CLI installs. It also hardens dashboard authentication, repository git-filter handling, and email gateway sender validation. Desktop, Termux, and Microsoft Store builds remain on their current versions until the next bundled release.

Why pick Hermes (vs Coze / Dify)

  • Self-learning vs workflow orchestration

    Coze / Dify are flow editors — you draw nodes and edges. Hermes grows on its own — it extracts Skills from conversations and decides which to apply next. Better for fuzzy-boundary work like dev / ops / research.

  • bundled and hub-distributed Skills

    the bundled catalog and Skills Hub maintain a broad catalog of reusable modules (code review, PR automation, data queries, doc generation, web scraping). One `hermes skills install` to install — no prompt-writing required.

  • Production-grade integrations

    Native LLM provider support, Gateway module for messaging platforms, ship a team AI assistant in 30 minutes.

Get started in 5 minutes: one-line install

Linux, macOS, WSL2, and Android use the shell installer; Windows has a native PowerShell installer. Runtime dependencies are handled automatically.

Copy and run this in your terminal

curl -fsSL https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/install.sh | bash

Use install.sh on Unix-like systems. Windows can install natively with install.ps1, while WSL2 remains an option.

First two commands after install

Run these two and you'll be using Hermes within 2 minutes:

source ~/.bashrc
hermes setup
hermes
  • hermes setup --portal — one OAuth configures a Nous model plus web search, image generation, TTS, and browser tools.
  • hermes — launch the interactive agent and run your first task.

Success checkpoint

If Hermes responds in your terminal, both the install and the LLM config are working.

Platform & network

  • Windows 10/11 is supported natively through PowerShell; WSL2 remains available.
  • Use a direct LLM provider when possible; proxies are only required for some providers in restricted networks.

Messaging-platform integrations

Hermes Gateway connects to enterprise messaging platforms. The guides below cover the full path from bot registration to production deploy.

DingTalk Bot

5-step deploy: bot registration → webhook → signature → group → enterprise app.

Open DingTalk guide

Feishu / Lark

Developer console, app permissions, message cards, base table triggers.

Open Feishu guide

LLM provider configuration

Hermes natively supports a wide range of LLM providers. The guides below give you 3-step configuration recipes.

Zhipu GLM-4

Fast LLM option for China-region access, 3-step setup, GPT-4o-class quality.

Configure GLM-4

Kimi (Moonshot)

128K long-context window — great for large codebases, contracts, research docs.

Configure Kimi

Choose your learning path

Pick the entry point that matches the scenario you want to ship first. Each path has a dedicated guide.

Install Guide

Mac / Linux / native Windows or WSL2 installation with common-error walkthrough.

Open install

Quickstart

First 10 minutes: ship your first task and grok the self-learning loop.

Open quickstart

CLI Reference

50+ CLI commands grouped by category.

Open CLI

Skills System

the bundled catalog and Skills Hub, bundled and community Skills, custom Skill authoring, the self-learning loop.

Open Skills

Gateway

How Hermes connects to messaging platforms and webhooks.

Open Gateway

Windows (WSL2)

Native PowerShell install plus a full WSL2 alternative and 8 common fixes.

Open Windows guide

OpenClaw Migration

Migrate from OpenClaw with config converter and Skills compatibility map.

Open migration

FAQ

Install / CLI / Skills / integrations / errors — common questions answered.

Open FAQ

After installation

hermes setup

Configure your LLM provider and API key.

hermes doctor

Run 12 self-checks: install path, dependencies, network, config, API keys.

hermes skills install <name>

Pull a ready-made skill from one of the the bundled catalog and Skills Hub (a broad catalog available).

hermes

Launch the interactive agent.

Frequently asked questions

Does Hermes Agent run on Windows?

Yes. Windows 10/11 supports native PowerShell installation, and WSL2 remains available when you need a Linux toolchain.

Do I need a proxy or VPN?

Depends on the provider. Several providers offer direct access in restricted regions; OpenAI / Anthropic typically require a proxy.

How do I connect Hermes to messaging platforms?

Through the Hermes Gateway module. The integration guides cover the full path from bot registration to production deploy.

What does "bundled and community Skills" mean and how do I use them?

Hermes maintains the bundled catalog and Skills Hub with a broad catalog of reusable modules (code review, data queries, doc generation, etc.). Use `hermes skills install <name>` to install one. See the Skills system guide.

What do I run after install?

In order: `hermes setup --portal` (configure Nous and the Tool Gateway with one OAuth) → `hermes doctor` (self-check) → `hermes` (start using). See Quickstart.

Can I migrate from OpenClaw?

Yes. `hermes migrate` converts the configuration in one shot, and there is a Skills compatibility map. See the OpenClaw migration guide.

How do I troubleshoot install errors?

Run `hermes doctor` first — it checks 12 common issues. If that does not resolve it, see the FAQ error section for 20+ common errors and fixes.

Ready to try?

Copy the command above. In 2 minutes you'll be back here reading the next section.

Copy the install command, run hermes setup, configure a provider. Be back in 2 minutes to keep reading.