Nous Research Unveils Hermes Desktop: A Native Interface for Autonomous AI Agent

Nous Research has unveiled Hermes Desktop, a native application for macOS, Windows, and Linux, providing a graphical interface for its open-source Hermes Agent. Previously, users interacted with Hermes through a command-line interface (CLI) and messaging gateways. The current build, Hermes Agent v0.15.2, offers a user-friendly interface without requiring a terminal.

The desktop application reuses the same agent core as the CLI and gateway, sharing configuration, API keys, sessions, skills, and memory. This means that users can seamlessly switch between the desktop and CLI or gateway without duplicating state. Hermes Agent is an autonomous AI agent designed to run tasks, call tools, and maintain state across sessions, distinguishing it from coding copilots tied to editors.

Hermes Desktop features a window with streaming responses and live tool activity, along with a right-hand pane for previewing web pages, files, and tool outputs. The application also includes a file browser, voice input and output, and a settings UI. Sessions are shared across surfaces, allowing conversations to resume in the CLI or TUI and vice versa.

The Hermes research team describes Hermes as having a closed learning loop, which sets it apart from simple chat wrappers. After completing complex tasks, the agent writes reusable skills that self-improve over time. The agent's memory is persistent and curated, with periodic nudges to save knowledge.

Cross-session recall utilizes FTS5 session search with LLM summarization, while user modeling is achieved through Honcho dialectic user modeling. Hermes integrates with various messaging platforms, including Telegram, Discord, Slack, WhatsApp, Signal, Email, and CLI, and allows users to start tasks on one platform and continue on another. The application also features a built-in cron scheduler for running reports, backups, and briefings unattended.

Delegation is possible through isolated subagents with their own conversations and terminals. The desktop application is available for direct installation on macOS and Windows, while Linux users can install it from the terminal on any distribution using an install script with the --include-desktop flag. Nous Research offers a range of plans, including a free tier, with paid tiers providing monthly credits and access to over 300 models.