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Nous Research · Local CLI agent
Hermes Agent
Nous Research’s CLI agent on your machine. The software is free; you pay for the model.
Official link. There is no affiliate program for this tool yet.
What it actually is
Hermes Agent is an open-source agent that runs in your terminal. It talks to a provider (or a local model), uses tools and, once it works, can sit behind a gateway (Telegram, Slack). It is not an IDE and it is not Grok Bot.
The order that does not break setup: install, `hermes setup` (or `--portal`), pick a model with ≥64K context, verify a real chat, `hermes doctor`. Only then `hermes gateway setup`. If you mount the gateway first, the usual symptom is a mute bot.
What it does well
- CLI: setup, chat, continue, doctor
- Provider and model picker
- Local tools (files, shell) depending on config
- Optional messaging gateway
- Desktop installer or script
Pros
- Free software; you choose the model
- Lives on your machine: real files and a real terminal
- Gateway only after local chat is stable
- Solid diagnostics (`doctor`, `--continue`)
Cons
- You must auth a provider (or go local)
- The model needs ≥64K context for the tool loop
- Adding gateway and cron before chat works is how it breaks
- Less guided than Cursor; failures live in the log
Who it is for
- People who live in the terminal and want an agent on their machine
- Flows that will later go to Telegram/Slack — not the other way around
- Anyone who can already pick a model and an API key
Who it is not for
- Anyone who wants an IDE with diffs (Cursor)
- Anyone who wants a teammate with a cloud browser (Grok Bot)
- A click-and-done setup with no shell
FAQ
- Is it actually free?
- The agent is. The model is not, unless you run one locally. Count tokens like any other API.
- Why is Telegram silent?
- Almost always: CLI chat does not work yet, the model context is too short, or the gateway was set up first. Go back to local `hermes` and `hermes doctor`.
Related tutorials
How to get Hermes Agent actually answering (2026)
Install Hermes, pick a model and verify a tool-using chat before you add Telegram or cron.
Hermes Agent
How to hand a change to Cursor without losing control (2026)
The agent touches the repo. You scope the files, demand a plan and review the diff as if it were a junior’s PR.
Cursor
How to create your first Grok Bot teammate (2026)
Install the app, create a Bot with one job, and hand off work that finishes in real apps.
Grok Bot
Hermes Agent: second flow with gateway (2026)
Day two: doctor, Telegram gateway, a remote message that uses tools, tightened permissions, and diagnosis if something breaks.
Hermes Agent