Hermes Bot

What Hermes Bot does

Hermes Bot is a front end, not a harness. The README states that Hermes runs the agent loop, keeps memory, owns conversations, executes tools and calls models, while the app supplies the sidebar, agent avatars, message bubbles, composer and the rules that decide which bot answers next. Its layout is a dark sidebar with cream user bubbles and a floating composer, and it supports groups of bots.

On first run the app asks where Hermes runs: on this Mac, or on another machine reached through an SSH tunnel using a host name from your ~/.ssh/config. It reads API_SERVER_KEY from ~/.hermes/.env, locally or over SSH, and keeps that key in the login Keychain. Because bots, groups and conversations live on the Hermes host, closing the app or changing machines does not affect them. The app checks the releases page for updates by itself. Builds are published as .dmg files for Apple silicon (arm64) and Intel (x64), and the app is not signed with a Developer ID.

Key features

• Multi-agent chat with group conversations
• Connects to Hermes on the same Mac or on another machine through an SSH tunnel
• Reads API_SERVER_KEY from ~/.hermes/.env and stores it in the login Keychain
• Conversations stay on the Hermes host
• Automatic update check and download from the releases page
• Builds for Apple silicon and Intel

When to use it

• Chatting with the Hermes agents running on a home server from a Mac
• Putting several bots in one group conversation
• Switching Macs without losing any conversation history

Who it is for: Mac users who already run Hermes Agent and want a native chat window for it.

How it fits with Hermes Agent

Built for Hermes as a front end only, talking to a Hermes host through its API.

Requirements: macOS, a running Hermes host (local or reachable over SSH) and its API key

Note: The macOS app is not signed with a Developer ID, and GitHub does not identify its license although the README says MIT.

FAQ