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Hermes Agent is an open-source, self-hosted AI agent built by Nous Research. It features persistent memory, autonomous skill creation, and a built-in learning loop that gets more capable the longer it runs. Point it at the Venice API and your agent gets access to 230+ models and tools across text, image, video, audio, embeddings, and more.

Hermes Agent Docs

Full documentation, provider setup, and configuration options on the official Hermes Agent docs.

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Why Venice + Hermes Agent?

The Venice API gives your Hermes Agent access to the full Venice platform through a single OpenAI-compatible endpoint.
CapabilityWhat you get
Text and chatPrivate and anonymized models (GLM, Qwen, Claude, GPT, and more)
ImageGeneration, editing, upscaling, and background removal
VideoGeneration and transcription
AudioSpeech synthesis (TTS), music generation, and speech-to-text
EmbeddingsVector embeddings for RAG and semantic search
ToolsWeb scraping, web search, text parsing, and crypto RPC

Private Inference

Zero data retention. Prompts are never stored or logged

Persistent Memory

Hermes remembers context across sessions and restarts

15+ Platforms

Reach your agent on Telegram, Discord, Slack, WhatsApp, and more

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Setup

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1. Install Hermes Agent

curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/main/scripts/install.sh | bash
After installation, reload your shell: 
source ~/.zshrc   # or: source ~/.bashrc

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2. Configure Venice as your provider

Run the model setup wizard: 
hermes model
Select Custom endpoint (self-hosted / VLLM / etc.) and enter the following when prompted:
FieldValue
API base URLhttps://api.venice.ai/api/v1
API keyYour Venice API key
Model nameA Venice model ID (see below)
Get an API key from venice.ai/settings/api if you don’t have one yet.
You can also configure Venice directly in ~/.hermes/config.yaml:
model:
  default: zai-org-glm-5
  provider: custom
  base_url: https://api.venice.ai/api/v1
  api_key: ${VENICE_API_KEY}
And set the key in ~/.hermes/.env:
VENICE_API_KEY=your-key-here

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3. Pick a model

When the wizard asks for a model, choose one based on your use case:
Use caseModelPrivacy
Generalzai-org-glm-5Private
Reasoningkimi-k2-6Private
Codingclaude-opus-4-7Anonymized
Visionz-ai-glm-5v-turboAnonymized
Uncensoredvenice-uncensored-1-2Private
Change your model anytime with no restart needed: 
hermes model              # full wizard
Or switch mid-session: 
/model custom:claude-opus-4-7

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4. Start chatting

Open the classic CLI or the modern TUI: 
hermes            # classic CLI
hermes --tui      # modern TUI (recommended)
Try a prompt to verify everything works: 
Summarize this repo in 5 bullets and tell me what the main entrypoint is.

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Connect messaging platforms

Once the CLI works, connect your messaging apps through the gateway: 
hermes gateway setup
This walks you through connecting Telegram, Discord, Slack, WhatsApp, Signal, and other platforms. Your agent becomes reachable from any connected channel, all powered by Venice. 
hermes gateway      # start the messaging gateway

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Privacy modes

Venice models in Hermes Agent follow the same privacy tiers as the Venice API:
  • Private models (GLM, Qwen, DeepSeek, Llama, Venice Uncensored) run on Venice’s GPU fleet. Prompts are never stored or logged.
  • Anonymized models (Claude, GPT, Gemini, Grok) are proxied through Venice with all identifying information stripped. The third-party provider sees Venice as the customer, not you.

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Venice API skills

Hermes Agent has a built-in skills system compatible with the Agent Skills format. Venice publishes official skills that teach your agent how to use every Venice endpoint (chat, image generation, video, audio, embeddings, augment tools, and more). Install Venice skills directly from GitHub: 
hermes skills install veniceai/skills
Or search for individual skills: 
hermes skills search venice
Hermes will discover each skill by its SKILL.md frontmatter and load it on demand.

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Key commands

CommandDescription
hermesStart chatting
hermes modelChange provider or model
hermes toolsConfigure which tools are enabled
hermes gatewayStart the messaging gateway
hermes --continueResume your last session
hermes doctorDiagnose issues
hermes updateUpdate to the latest version

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Resources

Hermes Agent Docs

Official documentation

GitHub

Source code and releases

Venice Model Catalog

Browse available models

Venice Privacy

How Venice protects your data