Guides
Hermes Agent guides
Updated 23 October 2026
All of our guides to Hermes Agent, the open-source AI agent from Nous Research, grouped by what you want to do. Start with the first group if you are new to it; the rest you can read in any order.
Start here
- What is Hermes Agent?Who makes it, what it does well today, and where it still needs a careful eye.
- How to use ReadyHermes, step by stepSign up, chat, connect Telegram or WhatsApp, link Gmail, schedule jobs and use Bot tools.
Run Hermes Agent yourself
- How to install Hermes AgentThe desktop app and the official installers for Mac, Windows and Linux, plus first-run setup.
- Hermes Agent desktop appWhat the free app does, which computers it runs on, and what happens when the laptop sleeps.
- Hermes Agent in DockerThe official image with docker run or Compose, the data folder, logs, updates and backups.
Models
- Hermes Agent with ClaudeWays to connect Claude, which model suits which job, and the price per million tokens.
- Hermes Agent with DeepSeekThe built-in DeepSeek provider, which model to choose, thinking mode and API prices.
- Hermes Agent with OllamaLocal models on your own computer: context settings, models that can use tools, and hardware.
Features
- Hermes Agent skillsBuilt-in skills, how the agent writes its own, and installing more from the Skills Hub.
Comparisons
- OpenClaw vs Hermes AgentHow the two open-source agents differ, and which one suits you.
- Hermes Agent vs DeepSeek HarnessWhat an agent harness is, and how the two compare on models, memory, chat apps and safety.
- Self-hosting vs managed hostingWhat running your own server involves, side by side with letting someone else run it.
- ReadyHermes vs HostingerHostinger's Hermes options and prices next to ours, and where each one fits.
Hosting
- Managed Hermes Agent hostingWhat managed hosting covers: the server, updates and keeping your agent online.
- Cheap Hermes Agent hostingThe real monthly cost of an agent, and when the cheapest option is the wrong one.
Using an agent for your work
- An AI assistant for small business ownersCustomer email, quotes, follow-ups and daily briefs, with a first-week plan.
- An AI agent for a one-person businessA daily routine of scheduled jobs and the exact requests to type.
- An AI assistant for consultants and coachesClient email drafts, scheduling, call preparation and follow-ups.
- An AI assistant for real estate agentsReplies to enquiries, booking viewings, a morning brief and tidier listing text.
- An AI calendar assistant you run from chatCheck your day, find free slots and book meetings in Google Calendar from a chat app.
- Can ChatGPT answer my emails?What it takes to have customer emails drafted every morning, and what to keep for yourself.