hermes-agent-docker: deployment tool for Hermes Agent

Minimal Docker image for Hermes Agent with persistent state and mini-swe-agent included

What hermes-agent-docker does

hermes-agent-docker packages Hermes Agent into a small Docker image for local builds and multi-arch publishing. The image installs Hermes with the official upstream install script, includes mini-swe-agent, and keeps Hermes state under /home/agent/.hermes. You build it with docker build, and a HERMES_REF build argument selects a branch or tag, defaulting to main, for example v2026.3.30.

To run it, mount two paths: your current project into /home/agent/workspace and a persistent Hermes home directory into /home/agent/.hermes, then start hermes inside the container. Hermes keeps config, sessions, memories and related state in that home directory, so mounting it preserves them across runs. On first start with an empty mounted directory, the container seeds it from image-prepared Hermes defaults. Without the mount, Hermes still starts but its state is lost when the container exits. You can run hermes setup inside the container or place config files in the mounted directory, and hermes doctor works the same way.

Key features

Installs Hermes with the official upstream install script
Includes mini-swe-agent
HERMES_REF build argument to pin a branch or tag
State persisted under /home/agent/.hermes through a volume mount
First-start seeding of an empty mounted Hermes directory
Project directory mounted at /home/agent/workspace

When to use it

Running Hermes Agent in a container against a local project directory
Pinning a specific Hermes release tag in a reproducible image
Running hermes doctor in an isolated environment

Who it is for: Developers who want to run Hermes Agent inside a Docker container with state kept on the host.

How it fits with Hermes Agent

A packaging of Hermes Agent itself: the image installs Hermes from the upstream script and runs the hermes command.

How to install hermes-agent-docker

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

docker build -t hermes-agent-docker:local .

Requirements: Docker, with a project directory and a Hermes home directory mounted into the container.

FAQ

What is hermes-agent-docker?

hermes-agent-docker is a minimal Docker image definition for Hermes Agent. It installs Hermes with the upstream script, adds mini-swe-agent and stores state in a mountable directory.

How do I keep my Hermes state between runs?

Mount a host directory such as $HOME/.hermes into /home/agent/.hermes when you run the container. Without that mount, Hermes still starts but its state is lost when the container exits.

Is hermes-agent-docker free and open source?

Yes. The repository is public and released under the MIT license.