What do I need before installing Hermes?

A Mac, Linux, WSL2, or Termux machine with Git. The installer provisions Python, Node.js, and the hermes binary itself, so there is little to prepare beyond that.

How do I know Hermes setup worked?

The setup flow connects your model access and drops you into chat. If the agent answers and can list its MCP servers, the install is good and you can move on to adding tools.

How do I add Locus Pro to Hermes?

Send Hermes the Locus one-link setup prompt. It installs a supported adapter plus the complete Locus skill tree, guides authentication, and verifies readiness.

Is Locus Pro required to use Hermes?

No. Hermes works with free MCP servers and its own belajar loop on its own. Locus Pro is the step that adds paid capabilities — specialist search, enrichment, finance, voice, and verification — without a separate account at each provider.

What do I need before installing Hermes?

A Mac, Linux, WSL2, or Termux machine with Git. The installer provisions Python, Node.js, and the hermes binary itself, so there is little to prepare beyond that.

How do I know Hermes setup worked?

The setup flow connects your model access and drops you into chat. If the agent answers and can list its MCP servers, the install is good and you can move on to adding tools.

How do I add Locus Pro to Hermes?

Send Hermes the Locus one-link setup prompt. It installs a supported adapter plus the complete Locus skill tree, guides authentication, and verifies readiness.

Is Locus Pro required to use Hermes?

No. Hermes works with free MCP servers and its own belajar loop on its own. Locus Pro is the step that adds paid capabilities — specialist search, enrichment, finance, voice, and verification — without a separate account at each provider.

Guide

How to set up the Hermes agent

Published 2026-09-15 · Updated 2026-09-21 · By Locus

Hermes is the self-improving agent from Nous Research, with MCP support for outside tools built in. Setup takes six steps: install, first run, and connect your tools — including Locus Pro for paid APIs. Work through them in order.

Setup, step by step

Step 1
Install Hermes
On macOS, Linux, WSL2, or Termux, run the installer. It provisions Python, Node.js, and the hermes binary.
```
curl -fsSL https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/install.sh | bash
```
Step 2
Run first-time setup
Connect your model access through the guided setup, then open chat to confirm the agent answers.
```
hermes setup --portal
```
Step 3
Confirm MCP support
The standard install includes MCP support. Open the server picker to confirm it lists entries.
```
hermes mcp
```
Step 4
Add Locus Pro
Send this in a new Hermes session. The installer selects the supported MCP or CLI adapter and installs all three Locus skills.
```
Install Locus Pro by following https://paywithlocus.com/SKILL.md. Use production.
```
Step 5
Complete authentication
Follow the installer through browser approval or device authentication and any restart it requests.
Step 6
Verify readiness
Confirm the installer reports all three skill trees in a fresh session and passes its free readiness check before making a paid call.

What the Locus Pro step buys you

Steps 1 to 3 give you a working agent with free tools. Steps 4 and 5 add the paid layer: thousands of specialist APIs the agent discovers by outcome, each with its price shown up front, settled per call from one balance with policy controls. No per-provider accounts, keys, or subscriptions. For what to install next, see the best tools for a Hermes agent.

Locus Pro connection guide See pricing

How to set up the Hermes agent

Setup, step by step

What the Locus Pro step buys you

Keep going

Frequently asked questions