Agent update
Hermes Agent launches as a self-hosted agent
Hermes Agent, released by Nous Research on 25 Feb 2026, is an open-source agent you install on your own machine or server. It remembers what it learns, and you point it at your own model keys or a Nous plan.
How to use Hermes Agent for small business
A technical founder could install it on a Mac or a small office server, connect their own model provider, and keep client files and memory on that machine instead of in a hosted chatbot. An operations lead who already uses Slack, Telegram or email could message the same self-hosted agent from those channels once the gateway is set up. A bookkeeper who is careful about data could point it at a local model, or at a provider they already pay for, and keep the agent runtime, conversations and skills in their own Hermes data directory.
Hermes Agent is free and open source under the MIT licence. You can install it from the terminal on macOS, Windows and Linux, use the Hermes Desktop app, or later add a hosted cloud agent in Nous Portal. Model requests go to the provider you configure. Model use and optional hosted services have their own pricing. The releases page itself is brief, and it does not mention country availability.
Most useful for: IT Manager – Compare software, hardware and vendors, Systems Administrator – Write a change plan, a runbook update or an incident note, Software Engineer – Write and review code for product features
Frequently asked questions
What does it cost, and do I need a Nous plan?
The agent itself is free and open source under the MIT licence, and the base self-hosted install does not require a sign-up. You do need a model: your own API keys, a local or self-hosted model, or a Nous Portal plan. Optional hosted cloud agents and model usage are charged by those services.
Where does my data live if I self-host?
The official documentation says conversations, memories and skills are stored in your Hermes data directory on the machine where the agent runs. Model requests still go to the provider you configure, unless you point it at a local model. Keep a backup of that directory if you move machines.
Which systems can I install Hermes Agent on?
You can install it from the terminal on macOS, Windows and Linux, use the Hermes Desktop app, or later add a hosted cloud agent in Nous Portal. The releases page itself is brief. Model requests go to the provider you configure, and optional hosted services have their own pricing.