# Hermes Agent glossary > 75 Hermes Agent terms in plain English. Canonical: https://hermeswatcher.com/glossary ### .env file The file in your Hermes home (~/.hermes/.env) that stores API keys and tokens such as TELEGRAM_BOT_TOKEN. It holds credentials, not memory. Sources: [FAQ & Troubleshooting](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/reference/faq), [Persistent Memory](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/memory) ### /goal A standing goal Hermes keeps working toward across turns. After each turn a judge model decides whether it's done, and if not Hermes continues, up to a budget of 20 turns by default (`goals.max_turns`). Sources: [Slash Commands Reference](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/reference/slash-commands) ### /steer A slash command that hands the running agent a note after its next tool call, changing direction without interrupting the task or starting a new turn. Sources: [Slash Commands Reference](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/reference/slash-commands) ### ACP (Agent Client Protocol) A JSON-RPC-over-stdio protocol spoken by editors such as VS Code, Zed and JetBrains. `hermes acp` runs Hermes as an ACP server so it can work inside those editors. Sources: [ACP Host Integration](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/acp), [Programmatic Integration](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/developer-guide/programmatic-integration) ### AGENTS.md The main project context file describing structure, conventions and instructions. Inside a git repo, AGENTS.md files from the root down to the working directory are merged. Sources: [Context Files](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/context-files) ### API server A mode that exposes Hermes as an OpenAI-compatible HTTP endpoint so other chat frontends can use it as a backend. Sources: [API Server](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/api-server) ### approvals.deny A user-editable list of glob patterns for terminal commands that are always blocked, even in YOLO mode or with approvals turned off. It's the configurable counterpart to the hardline blocklist. Sources: [Security](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/security) ### Auxiliary models Models used for side tasks such as vision, context compression, session titles and approval checks. They default to your main chat model and can be overridden per task under `auxiliary` in `config.yaml` or through `hermes model`. Sources: [Configuration](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/configuration) ### Baileys bridge Hermes' built-in WhatsApp connection, which emulates a WhatsApp Web session paired by QR code rather than using the official Business API. Sources: [WhatsApp](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/whatsapp) ### Bot Chat A profile's canonical chat session with its own bot. The `bot-chat` cron delivery target posts output into it as an incoming message so the bot acts on it, costing one full agent turn per delivery. Sources: [Scheduled Tasks (Cron)](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/cron) ### Checkpoints / rollback An opt-in feature (hermes chat --checkpoints) that snapshots your project before destructive operations so you can restore it with /rollback. Sources: [Checkpoints and /rollback](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/checkpoints-and-rollback) ### command_allowlist The config.yaml list of command patterns you've permanently approved, so Hermes runs them without asking. Sources: [Security](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/security) ### config.yaml The main settings file in your Hermes home. It holds the model, terminal backend, memory, approvals, MCP servers, display options and more, and you can edit it directly or use hermes config set. Sources: [Configuration](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/configuration), [FAQ & Troubleshooting](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/reference/faq) ### Context compression Automatic summarising of older conversation history once a session passes a share of the model's context window. You can also trigger it yourself with /compress. Sources: [Configuration](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/configuration), [FAQ & Troubleshooting](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/reference/faq) ### Context file injection scanning A check that scans `AGENTS.md`, `.cursorrules` and similar files for prompt-injection patterns before they enter the system prompt. A flagged project file is not loaded and a warning is shown instead. Sources: [Security](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/security) ### Context files Project instruction files Hermes loads automatically, such as .hermes.md, AGENTS.md, CLAUDE.md or .cursorrules. Only the first matching type is used per session. Sources: [Context Files](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/context-files) ### Context references Inline @ syntax such as `@file:`, `@folder:`, `@diff`, `@staged`, `@git:` and `@url:` that pulls file contents, git changes or web pages straight into a message. Sources: [Context References](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/context-references) ### Credential pool Several API keys for the same provider that Hermes rotates between when one hits a rate limit or quota. Sources: [Credential Pools](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/credential-pools) ### Cron job A scheduled task, one-off or recurring, that runs in a fresh agent session and delivers results to a chat or file. It's managed through /cron, hermes cron or plain-language requests. Sources: [Scheduled Tasks (Cron)](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/cron) ### cronjob_manage The single tool Hermes uses to create, pause, edit, trigger and remove scheduled jobs when you ask in plain language. Sources: [Scheduled Tasks (Cron)](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/cron) ### Curator A background maintenance pass that tracks how agent-created skills are used, moves unused ones from active to stale to archived, and never auto-deletes them. Sources: [Curator](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/curator) ### Custom endpoint A provider option (provider: custom) for any OpenAI-compatible server, commonly used for local models through Ollama, vLLM or llama.cpp. Sources: [FAQ & Troubleshooting](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/reference/faq) ### Dangerous command approval The safety check that pauses risky shell commands for your approval. approvals.mode sets it to smart, manual or off. Sources: [Security](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/security) ### delegate_task / subagent The tool that spawns child agents with isolated context for side tasks or parallel work. Only each child's final summary returns to the main chat. Sources: [Subagent Delegation](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/delegation) ### Delivery target The `deliver` setting that decides where a cron job's output goes: `origin`, `local`, a platform's home channel, a specific chat or topic, a comma-separated list, or `all`. Sources: [Scheduled Tasks (Cron)](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/cron) ### DM pairing A way to authorise new chat users: an unknown user gets an 8-character code, which the owner approves with hermes pairing approve. Sources: [Security](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/security) ### execute_code A tool that lets the agent write a Python script that calls Hermes tools programmatically, collapsing many steps into one turn. Sources: [Code Execution](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/code-execution) ### External memory provider A plugin-based memory service, such as Honcho, Mem0, Hindsight, Supermemory, RetainDB or ByteRover, that adds deeper recall alongside the built-in memory files. Set it up with hermes memory setup. Sources: [Memory Providers](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/memory-providers) ### Fallback providers Backup provider and model pairs Hermes switches to automatically when your main model fails. Sources: [Fallback Providers](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/fallback-providers) ### Frozen snapshot How memory is loaded: it's read once into the system prompt when a session starts and doesn't change mid-session. That preserves the prompt cache but means new memories appear in the next session. Sources: [Persistent Memory](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/memory) ### Hardline blocklist An always-on list of catastrophic commands, such as filesystem wipes and fork bombs, that Hermes refuses even in YOLO mode. Sources: [Security](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/security) ### Hermes Agent An open-source (MIT) AI agent from Nous Research that runs in your terminal, a desktop app or chat apps, uses tools for you, and learns over time through memory and skills. Sources: [Hermes Agent README (GitHub)](https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent) ### Hermes Desktop The native desktop app for macOS, Windows and Linux. It drives the same agent, config and sessions as the CLI. Sources: [Hermes Desktop](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/desktop) ### Hermes home (HERMES_HOME) The data folder where Hermes keeps config, keys, memory, skills and sessions. It's ~/.hermes on Linux and macOS, and the HERMES_HOME environment variable points Hermes at a different one. Sources: [Installation](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/getting-started/installation), [FAQ & Troubleshooting](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/reference/faq) ### Home channel The default chat on a platform where cron results and notifications land. Set it by sending `/sethome` in that chat or with variables such as `TELEGRAM_HOME_CHANNEL`. Sources: [Telegram](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/telegram), [Scheduled Tasks (Cron)](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/cron) ### Honcho An external memory provider from Plastic Labs that builds a model of the user across sessions and profiles. It's installed with hermes plugins install honcho and runs on Honcho Cloud or self-hosted. Sources: [Memory Providers](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/memory-providers), [Hermes Agent README (GitHub)](https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent) ### Kanban board A durable task board in `~/.hermes/kanban.db`, shared across your profiles, where named agents pick up, hand off and complete tasks. Agents work it through `kanban_*` tools, while you use `hermes kanban`, `/kanban` or the dashboard. Sources: [Kanban (Multi-Agent Board)](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/kanban) ### Kanban dispatcher The loop that promotes ready Kanban tasks, claims them and spawns the assigned profile as a worker, reclaiming crashed or stale workers along the way. It runs inside the gateway by default and ticks every 60 seconds. Sources: [Kanban (Multi-Agent Board)](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/kanban) ### MCP (Model Context Protocol) An open protocol for external tool servers. Hermes connects to MCP servers listed under mcp_servers in config.yaml and uses their tools like built-in ones. Sources: [MCP (Model Context Protocol)](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/mcp) ### MCP server mode Running `hermes mcp serve` turns Hermes itself into a stdio MCP server, so clients such as Claude Code or Cursor can list conversations, read history and send messages across its connected platforms. Sources: [MCP (Model Context Protocol)](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/mcp) ### Memory tool The tool the agent uses to add, patch or remove memory entries. A memory only persists if the model actually calls it. Sources: [Persistent Memory](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/memory) ### MEMORY.md The agent's own notes file in ~/.hermes/memories/, covering environment facts, conventions and lessons learned. It's capped at 2,200 characters by default and loaded at the start of every session. Sources: [Persistent Memory](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/memory) ### Messaging gateway The single background process that connects Hermes to Telegram, Discord, Slack, WhatsApp and other platforms, and also runs cron jobs. Sources: [Messaging Gateway](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/) ### Mixture of Agents (MoA) A virtual `moa` provider whose named presets appear as selectable models. Reference models analyse the turn first, then an aggregator model writes the reply and makes tool calls, and the aggregator's provider is billed for the run. Sources: [Mixture of Agents](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/mixture-of-agents) ### No-agent mode A cron option that runs a script on a schedule and delivers its output verbatim, with no LLM involved. Sources: [Scheduled Tasks (Cron)](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/cron) ### Nous Portal Nous Research's subscription service, giving one login to 300+ models plus the Tool Gateway. It's set up with hermes setup --portal. Sources: [Nous Portal](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/integrations/nous-portal) ### Nous Research The AI research company that builds and maintains Hermes Agent and runs the Nous Portal subscription service. Sources: [Hermes Agent README (GitHub)](https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent), [Nous Portal](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/integrations/nous-portal) ### Plugin A Python package in ~/.hermes/plugins/ with a plugin.yaml manifest that adds custom tools, hooks or integrations without changing Hermes' core code. Sources: [Plugins](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/plugins) ### Profile A separate Hermes home under ~/.hermes/profiles/ with its own config, keys, memory, sessions and skills, letting you run several independent agents. Sources: [Profiles](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/profiles) ### Progressive disclosure Hermes' token-saving way of loading skills: the agent first sees only names and descriptions, and opens a skill's full content only when needed. Sources: [Skills System](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/skills) ### Prompt caching Reuse of an unchanged conversation prefix so repeated input is billed more cheaply. Hermes enables it automatically for Claude models via Anthropic or OpenRouter and avoids rebuilding the system prompt mid-conversation, while a `/model` switch resets the cache. Sources: [Context Compression and Caching](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/developer-guide/context-compression-and-caching), [FAQ & Troubleshooting](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/reference/faq) ### Secret sources External secret managers (Bitwarden Secrets Manager, 1Password, or a command helper for other vaults) that inject API keys at startup, so only a bootstrap token sits in `.env`. They're configured under `secrets` in `config.yaml`. Sources: [Secrets](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/secrets/) ### Session One stored conversation with its full message history, from the CLI or any chat platform. Sessions are kept in ~/.hermes/state.db. Sources: [Sessions](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/sessions) ### session_search The agent's tool for searching and scrolling through past conversations stored in state.db. It costs no extra LLM calls. Sources: [Persistent Memory](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/memory), [Sessions](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/sessions) ### Skill A folder with a SKILL.md file containing on-demand instructions for a task, compatible with the agentskills.io standard. Skills live in ~/.hermes/skills/ and work as slash commands. Sources: [Skills System](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/skills) ### skill_manage The tool the agent uses to create, update and delete its own skills. The docs call this its procedural memory. Sources: [Skills System](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/skills) ### SKILL.md The required main file of a skill, holding its name, description and step-by-step instructions. It can be accompanied by references, templates, scripts and assets. Sources: [Skills System](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/skills) ### Skills Hub The browsable catalog of installable skills from official, skills.sh, GitHub and other sources, managed with hermes skills browse, search and install. Sources: [Skills System](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/skills) ### Smart approval mode The default approval mode, where a helper model auto-approves low-risk commands, denies clearly dangerous ones and asks you about uncertain cases. Sources: [Security](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/security) ### SOUL.md A global persona file in your Hermes home that defines the agent's identity and tone. It's the first thing in the system prompt. Sources: [Personality & SOUL.md](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/personality), [Context Files](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/context-files) ### state.db The SQLite database in your Hermes home that stores session metadata and message history with full-text search. Sources: [Sessions](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/sessions), [Persistent Memory](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/memory) ### Telegram privacy mode A Telegram bot setting, on by default, that hides ordinary group messages from bots. Turn it off in @BotFather and re-add the bot, or make the bot a group admin, so Hermes can see group chat. Sources: [Telegram](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/telegram) ### Terminal backend Where the agent's shell commands run: local, docker, ssh, singularity, modal, daytona or vercel_sandbox. It's set with terminal.backend. Sources: [Tools & Toolsets](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/tools) ### Tool A single action the agent can take, such as running a terminal command, reading a file, searching the web or saving memory. Sources: [Tools & Toolsets](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/tools) ### Tool Gateway Part of a paid Nous Portal subscription that handles web search, image generation, text-to-speech and cloud browsing without separate vendor accounts. Sources: [Nous Tool Gateway](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/tool-gateway) ### Tool Search An opt-in feature that loads tool schemas only when relevant, saving context when many MCP or plugin tools are attached. Sources: [Tool Search](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/tool-search) ### Toolset A named bundle of related tools, for example file or terminal, that you switch on or off together with hermes tools. Sources: [Toolsets Reference](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/reference/toolsets-reference), [Tools & Toolsets](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/tools) ### TUI Hermes' modern terminal user interface, launched with hermes --tui, which the docs recommend for interactive use. Sources: [TUI](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/tui) ### User allowlist A list of platform user IDs, such as TELEGRAM_ALLOWED_USERS, that are allowed to talk to your bot. Sources: [Security](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/security), [Telegram](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/telegram) ### USER.md The user-profile memory file in ~/.hermes/memories/ for your preferences and communication style. It's capped at 1,375 characters by default. Sources: [Persistent Memory](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/memory) ### wakeAgent gate A way for a cron job's pre-check script to skip the agent: if the script's last stdout line is `{"wakeAgent": false}`, that run spends no LLM tokens. Leaving it out means the agent runs as usual. Sources: [Scheduled Tasks (Cron)](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/cron) ### Webhook adapter The gateway component that runs an HTTP server (port 8644 by default), validates HMAC signatures on POSTs from services like GitHub or Stripe and turns them into agent runs. Routes come from `config.yaml` or `hermes webhook subscribe`. Sources: [Webhooks](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/webhooks) ### Website blocklist The `security.website_blocklist` setting lists domains the agent may not reach. It's enforced across `web_search`, `web_extract`, `browser_navigate` and every other URL-capable tool. Sources: [Security](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/security) ### Write approval An optional setting (memory.write_approval, and skills.write_approval for skills) that holds the agent's writes for your review. You manage them with commands like /memory pending and /memory approve. Sources: [Persistent Memory](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/memory), [Skills System](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/skills) ### YOLO mode A per-session switch (--yolo or /yolo) that skips approval prompts. The hardline blocklist still applies. Sources: [Security](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/security) --- HermesWatcher is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by Nous Research. The [official Hermes Agent documentation](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs) and [repository](https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent) from Nous Research are the authority; each page here lists the official sources it was written from. If this site and the official docs disagree, trust the official docs. Index for agents: https://hermeswatcher.com/llms.txt