What is the Hermes Agent?

The Hermes Agent is an open-source AI agent developed by Nous Research, engineered to execute tasks, retain learned information, and evolve continuously. By leveraging tools such as terminal access, web browsing, file system management, web search, and code execution, it can perform complex work autonomously rather than simply generating text responses.

What is an AI agent?

An AI agent transcends basic text generation. When given a specific objective, it can determine the necessary actions, utilize appropriate tools, monitor outcomes, and iteratively progress toward the goal.

While many AI agents already possess the capability to use tools and handle multi-step processes, the distinguishing factor often lies in post-task behavior. Some agents treat every new task as a standalone problem. In contrast, Hermes is architected to preserve valuable knowledge and established procedures, thereby increasing its utility over time. Discover how this principle applies to executing agents on DaDesktop in Agentic AI.

What sets Hermes apart?

Hermes features an integrated learning loop. It generates skills from practical experience, refines these skills during execution, retains significant information, and can query past sessions when prior context is required.

Why choose the Hermes Agent?

Hermes is particularly valuable for tasks that involve multiple steps, diverse tools, or various applications. Rather than constantly toggling between an AI chat interface, terminal, browser, and file manager, you can assign the overall objective to Hermes and allow it to coordinate the workflow.

• Execute complete tasks: Assign a high-level objective rather than requesting individual, isolated instructions.
• Maintain long-term context: Preserve relevant information across separate sessions.
• Create reusable workflows: Save proven approaches as skills to avoid re-solving identical problems from scratch.
• Automate routine work: Schedule tasks to execute automatically in the background.
• Delegate responsibilities: Utilize distinct sub-agents to handle different components of a larger project.
• Customize your model: Connect Hermes to local models or supported cloud-based model providers.

Capabilities of Hermes

• Software development: Analyze code, troubleshoot issues, implement changes, execute tests, and manage repositories.
• Research: Conduct web searches, review sources, gather data, and structure findings.
• Automation: Execute scripts and schedule recurring duties such as reporting, monitoring, and other routine operations.
• System administration: Utilize the terminal, install software, configure systems, and diagnose technical issues.
• Browser operations: Navigate websites, interact with web pages, and extract data.
• File management: Read, create, modify, search, and organize files.
• Tool integrations: Connect additional services and tools via MCP.

How Hermes evolves through usage

Consider a complex, multi-step task assigned to Hermes. During the resolution process, Hermes might identify an effective workflow. Instead of this knowledge disappearing once the task concludes, it can be saved as a skill.

When a similar task arises in the future, Hermes can utilize this stored skill as a foundational approach. If the workflow requires refinement, the skill can be updated accordingly. Additionally, its memory can preserve key facts and lessons derived from previous activities.

Memory and skills serve distinct functions. Memory holds useful information and context, whereas skills encapsulate the procedures for performing actions. Together, they enable Hermes to accumulate knowledge about both its understanding and the execution of recurring tasks.

Background work automation

Hermes includes a built-in scheduler for recurring duties. You can define a schedule using natural language, allowing Hermes to perform work without requiring an active session initiation.

This functionality is ideal for generating reports, monitoring systems, managing backups, conducting research, and handling other routine tasks. Scheduled tasks also maintain continuity between executions, enabling them to build upon prior work.

Utilizing local or cloud models

Hermes is not restricted to a single LLM. You can connect it to local models or supported cloud providers and switch models without altering the agent's tools, memory, or established workflows.

Running a local model grants greater control over the model, hardware, and data processing location. It also allows Hermes to interact with your local files and resources without transmitting them to an external model provider.

Installing Hermes

Hermes is compatible with Linux, macOS, Windows, and WSL2. You may install the desktop application or utilize the command-line interface without the desktop component.

On Linux, macOS, or WSL2, open a terminal and execute:

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

On Windows, run the installer from PowerShell:

irm https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/install.ps1 | iex

Post-installation, launch the setup wizard to configure your model provider and other preferences:

hermes setup

Refer to the Hermes documentation for detailed installation options and configuration guidelines.

Running Hermes on DaDesktop

Hermes requires an environment capable of executing its tools and storing its data. DaDesktop offers a cloud desktop equipped with the necessary CPU, RAM, storage, and GPU resources to run Hermes alongside a local LLM.

This setup is particularly beneficial when the desired model requires more VRAM than your local machine provides. You can select a GPU with sufficient VRAM, launch a DaDesktop instance, install Hermes, and run the model locally in conjunction with the agent.

Furthermore, you can keep the desktop active for scheduled tasks and long-running workflows, eliminating the need to keep your personal computer running continuously.

Learn more about running local LLMs on DaDesktop.