The video provides a step-by-step quickstart guide to setting up Hermes Agent in 10 minutes, covering installation, messaging platform configuration (Telegram and iMessage), skill installation, and usage through various interfaces like the terminal, dashboard, and desktop app. It highlights key features such as model switching, persistent memory, and cron jobs for automation, enabling users to quickly run and customize a fully functional Hermes Agent locally.
The video provides a quickstart guide to setting up Hermes Agent from scratch in just 10 minutes, aimed at users who want a fast introduction without diving into the full masterclass. It begins with installation instructions, directing viewers to the Hermes Agent GitHub repository to run the quick install command suitable for their operating system. The presenter demonstrates the setup on a Windows machine, guiding through the setup wizard where users log into the New Portal, select their preferred AI model, and keep default settings for the backend.
Next, the video covers configuring messaging platforms, which is essential for interacting with the Hermes Agent. The presenter explains how to set up Telegram by creating a bot via Telegram’s BotFather, obtaining the bot token, and finding the user ID to allowlist communication. Then, the video shows how to connect iMessage on Windows using the Hermes Photon setup, involving phone number verification and device authorization through a browser interface. The importance of running the Hermes Gateway, either manually or as a background service, is emphasized to enable messaging functionality.
Once messaging is configured, the presenter demonstrates how to interact with the agent through Telegram and iMessage, showing example conversations and how the agent responds to queries like checking cron job statuses. The video then introduces the concept of skills, which are packages of instructions that extend the agent’s capabilities. Users can browse, install, and use skills directly from the terminal user interface (TUI), with an example given of installing a concept diagram skill to visualize the Hermes Agent setup process.
Additional useful commands and features are highlighted, including the Hermes dashboard, which opens a local web server for managing chat sessions, files, and models, and the Hermes desktop app that offers a user-friendly interface similar to popular AI chat apps. The agent supports easy model switching within the TUI and has a built-in memory system that persists information across sessions. One of the standout features is cron jobs, which allow users to schedule automated tasks like receiving daily sports scores and AI news via messaging platforms.
In conclusion, the video summarizes that with these steps, users can have a fully functional Hermes Agent running locally, accessible through various messaging apps, customizable with skills, and manageable via dashboard or desktop app. The presenter encourages viewers to explore more advanced features and deeper learning through the full Hermes Agent masterclass, which offers extensive tutorials and answers to common questions. This quickstart serves as a practical introduction for anyone eager to get started quickly with Hermes Agent.