AgentsHermes Agent & Hermes Desktop
An open-source agent with a desktop app that runs local models in a few clicks. Nous Research's open-source (MIT), self-hosted AI agent with persistent memory and skills it creates for itself. Hermes Desktop is its native app for macOS and Windows, with a built-in Local Models screen that downloads and runs open models on your own computer.
✓ Last verified October 15, 2026 from official sourcesFree and open source (MIT). Local models cost nothing to run. Cloud models are optional and billed by the provider you choose (Nous Portal is an optional subscription).
Non-developers who want a desktop app that runs a local model with a few clicks. People who want an agent that remembers and improves its own skills.
Self-hosted. With a local model, nothing leaves your computer after the model downloads: no account or API key needed. Skill level: Beginner.
What it's great at
- Easiest local-model setup: the app picks a build that fits your machine
- Memory and self-made skills
What it can do
- Hermes Desktop: Settings → Providers → Local Models installs a managed llama.cpp runtime and shows which models fit your machine (green, amber or red)
- Works with Ollama too: "ollama launch hermes-desktop" or "ollama launch hermes"
- Terminal commands, file editing, web browsing and delegation
- Messaging gateway for Telegram, Discord, Slack, WhatsApp, Signal and email
Example tasks to try
- "Read the PDFs in my Downloads folder and make a one-page summary of each."
Start in 5 minutes
- Download Hermes Desktop for macOS or Windows from hermes-agent.nousresearch.com
- Open Settings → Providers → Local Models and click Install runtime
- Pick a model marked green (fits your GPU) and click Download, then Use
Go to Nous Research's official page →
Watch out for
Local models need memory: a GPU or Mac with 8GB+ runs the small models, 16GB+ runs the 27-35B models.
Compare it
- Personal agents compared: ChatGPT agent vs Muse vs Grok Bot vs Manus
- Local personal agents: OpenClaw vs Hermes Agent (and how they compare with cloud agents)
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Official sources
- Hermes Agent official site
- Hermes docs: installation
- Hermes docs: local models
- Ollama docs: Hermes Desktop
- Hermes Agent on GitHub
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