Hermes Claude Proxy: model tool for Hermes Agent

OpenAI-compatible proxy that exposes a Claude Max subscription to Hermes Agent and other clients

What Hermes Claude Proxy does

The proxy listens on localhost:3456 by default and forwards OpenAI-format requests to Claude through the Claude Code SDK, so no separate API key is used. Hermes Agent is the primary, fully tested target, with settings in ~/.hermes/config.yaml using the chat_completions API mode. OpenClaw is listed as fully compatible, and any OpenAI-compatible client can connect. The README suggests running one proxy process per client.

Version 5 is stateless: every request is an independent SDK query, which removes the cross-client session contamination and growing history of the earlier persistent-session v4, with Anthropic prompt caching offsetting cost. STATELESS_MODE=0 restores the old mode. Built-in tools include WebSearch, WebFetch, Bash, Read, Write, Edit, Grep and Glob, and the model parameter routes between Opus 4.8, Sonnet 5 and Haiku 4.5. It also offers a .js plugin system with pre and post hooks, /health and /stats endpoints, automatic retries, bounded concurrency and simulated SSE streaming.

Key features

OpenAI-compatible /v1/chat/completions endpoint
Stateless per-request design with Anthropic prompt caching
Built-in WebSearch, WebFetch, Bash, Read, Write, Edit, Grep and Glob tools
Model routing between Opus, Sonnet and Haiku through the model parameter
Plugin hooks, /health and /stats endpoints
Configurable concurrency, timeout and retries in .env

When to use it

Pointing Hermes Agent at a Claude Max subscription through a local endpoint
Running separate proxy instances for Hermes and OpenClaw
Adding pre or post processing to requests with a small JavaScript plugin

Who it is for: Hermes Agent users on macOS who already pay for Claude Max and want to use it as a model backend.

How it fits with Hermes Agent

Hermes Agent is the proxy's primary development target, connected through the chat_completions mode in ~/.hermes/config.yaml.

How to install Hermes Claude Proxy

These commands are copied from the project's README. Check the repository for the latest steps before you run them.

git clone https://github.com/photofanz/openclaw-claude-proxy-v4.git hermes-claude-proxy
cd hermes-claude-proxy
bash install.sh

Requirements: macOS 10.15+, Node.js 18+, Claude Code CLI installed and logged in, and an active Claude Max subscription

Note: It requires an active Claude Max subscription, which the README prices at $200 per month.

FAQ

What is Hermes Claude Proxy?

Hermes Claude Proxy is a local Node.js proxy that exposes a Claude Max subscription as an OpenAI-compatible chat completions endpoint. It is built mainly for Hermes Agent.

Does Hermes Claude Proxy work with Hermes Agent?

Yes. Hermes Agent is the primary, fully tested target, configured through ~/.hermes/config.yaml with the chat_completions API mode.

How do I install Hermes Claude Proxy?

Clone the repository and run bash install.sh, or install manually with npm install, a copied .env file and node server.js. The README's clone commands use the URL photofanz/openclaw-claude-proxy-v4.