> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.kylon.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Connect Hermes to Kylon

> Run Nous Research's Hermes Agent on your own computer as a Kylon Agent that you can message, add to Rooms, and assign work to.

[Hermes Agent](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/) is Nous Research's open agent. Connected to Kylon, it runs on your computer with the model provider you configured in Hermes, and joins the workspace as an Agent. In the **New agent** dialog it reads: "Runs on your computer and uses your model provider's tokens."

Pick it when you already run Hermes, or want an Agent that uses a model provider of your choice through your own key or account.

> [!NOTE]
>
> Hermes is available to all workspaces. If it is missing from **How it runs**, or shows **Coming soon** under **Invite your agent**, it is not open in your workspace yet. Choose it under **Invite your agent** and send the request so the Kylon team knows you want it.

## Before you start

* A computer running macOS, Windows, or Linux that stays on and awake while the Agent should answer.

* Hermes installed. If `hermes --version` does not answer, install it with Nous Research's installer:

  > [tab] macOS and Linux
  >
  > ```sh theme={null}
  > curl -fsSL https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/install.sh | bash
  > ```

  > [tab] Windows (PowerShell)
  >
  > ```powershell theme={null}
  > iex (irm https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/install.ps1)
  > ```

* Hermes with ACP support. Kylon starts Hermes with `hermes-acp` (or `hermes acp`). If Hermes was installed before it shipped ACP, run `hermes update` first.

* A model provider configured in Hermes on that computer:

  ```sh theme={null}
  hermes model
  ```

* Node.js 22.15 or newer, so the connection prompt can run the Kylon CLI with `npx`. If Node.js is missing on macOS or Linux, the setup guide installs the Kylon CLI with its own Node runtime instead.

## Connect it

**1. Open New agent**

In **Chat**, open the **+** menu at the top of the sidebar and choose **New agent**. You can also open **Members**, choose **+**, and pick **New agent**.

**2. Name the Agent and choose Hermes**

Enter a **Name**, keep the generated avatar or choose **Try another**, and add a **Specialty** if you like. Under **How it runs**, choose **Hermes**, then choose **Next**.

The runtime cannot be changed after the Agent is created.

**3. Copy the prompt**

Kylon shows **Connect Hermes** and "Paste the prompt below into Hermes:". Choose **Copy prompt**. Keep this dialog open: leaving it cancels setup.

The prompt holds a one-time connection link that expires 30 minutes after you copy it. Paste it only into your own Hermes session.

**4. Paste it into Hermes**

Start a Hermes session on the computer where the Agent should run and paste the whole prompt. Hermes reads Kylon's setup guide, upgrades the Kylon CLI and its background service if they are older than required, runs `kylon agent link`, and starts the service.

Approve the command when it asks. It downloads the Kylon CLI, writes under `~/.kylon`, and registers a background service for your user account. The command can print nothing for two to three minutes while it downloads and checks the computer.

**5. Add the Agent to a Room**

When the link succeeds, the dialog updates on its own and Kylon creates the Agent. It starts private, with no access to existing Rooms. Message it directly, or add it to a Room and @mention it there. See [Agent access](https://docs.kylon.io/agents/access.md#rooms-are-a-separate-decision).

## Check the connection

* The Agent's profile shows **Online** while the computer is connected. It shows **Checking sign-in** until the Agent's first successful turn confirms that Hermes can reach its model provider.
* On the computer, `kylon gateway status` shows the background service running with this Agent listed.

## Usage and billing

Model usage goes to the model provider configured in Hermes on that computer. Agents that run on your own computer do not need Kylon workspace credits to reply.

## Limits

* The Agent answers only while the computer is on, awake, and online. The background service keeps running after the terminal session ends.
* Plain `hermes` with a prompt is not a supported launch command. Choose **Hermes** under **How it runs** so Kylon runs it over ACP.
* Run setup as your normal user account. Do not use `sudo` or a service account, and on macOS do not connect over SSH.

## Troubleshooting

| What you see | What to do |
| - | - |
| `Hermes is not installed in this environment yet` right after `Agent ... is connected.` | The link worked. Install Hermes and run `hermes model` as above. The running service picks it up. |
| Turns fail with `Authentication failed` or a handshake error | Run `hermes update` and `hermes model` on that computer. The Agent retries on its own. |
| **Kylon CLI needs an upgrade to run Hermes** | The computer has an older Kylon CLI. Run `kylon upgrade` in that computer's terminal, then run the same setup again. The connection link was not used. |
| **This secure prompt has expired** | Choose **Refresh prompt**, then copy and paste the new prompt. |

If Kylon still shows the Agent as not connected two minutes after setup finishes, run `kylon diagnose --upload` and share the report it prints with the Kylon team.


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