How to Install Hermes Agent on Linux, macOS, or WSL2

Focus keyphrase: how to install Hermes Agent

Before you start

Hermes Agent is designed to install quickly on Linux, macOS, WSL2, and Termux. The official installation docs say Git is the only hard prerequisite for the normal installer path. The installer handles Python, Node.js, uv, ripgrep, ffmpeg, the repository clone, and the global hermes command.

Step 1: confirm Git is installed

git --version

If that command returns a version, you are ready for the standard installer. If it fails, install Git first through your system package manager or developer tools.

Step 2: run the installer

curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/main/scripts/install.sh | bash

The installer clones Hermes, creates the Python environment, installs dependencies, and sets up the hermes command. On a VPS, run this as the user that will own the agent process.

Step 3: reload your shell

source ~/.bashrc
# or, if you use zsh:
source ~/.zshrc

Step 4: configure Hermes

hermes setup

Use the setup wizard to choose your model provider and base settings. If you want to adjust model settings later, the official docs point to commands such as hermes model, hermes tools, hermes gateway setup, and hermes config set.

Step 5: start the agent

hermes

Do one simple chat before adding gateway channels, cron jobs, or custom skills. If base chat does not work, fix that first. Extra integrations make debugging harder.

Quick troubleshooting

• If hermes is not found, reload the shell or check PATH.
• If the model key is missing, run hermes model or hermes setup.
• If dependencies are broken, run hermes doctor.
• If you are on native Windows, use WSL2 instead of trying to force a native install.

Sources

• Hermes Agent official installation docs
• Hermes Agent official documentation
• NousResearch/hermes-agent GitHub repository
• Nous Research Hermes Agent page