# Hermes Agent messaging: Telegram, Slack, WhatsApp, iMessage, more

> 28 platforms in the official comparison table, plus 11 other ways in.

Canonical: https://hermeswatcher.com/messaging

## Which one should you use?

Start with the app and account you already have. These picks are editorial suggestions based on the documented setup requirements. Not sure? [Get a setup plan in five questions](https://hermeswatcher.com/planner).

- **Only you, on your phone:** [Telegram](https://hermeswatcher.com/learn/hermes-agent-telegram-setup.md). Use Create with QR in the dashboard or Desktop (Messaging → Telegram), or create the bot manually with your numeric user ID.

- **Your team already uses a chat app:** [Slack](https://hermeswatcher.com/learn/hermes-agent-slack-setup.md) / [Discord](https://hermeswatcher.com/learn/hermes-agent-discord-setup.md) / [Microsoft Teams](https://hermeswatcher.com/learn/hermes-agent-microsoft-teams-setup.md) / [Google Chat](https://hermeswatcher.com/learn/hermes-agent-google-chat-setup.md). Use the app your team already uses. Check app installation rights first.

- **Privacy first:** [Signal](https://hermeswatcher.com/learn/hermes-agent-signal-setup.md) / [SimpleX Chat](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/simplex) / [Matrix](https://hermeswatcher.com/learn/hermes-agent-matrix-setup.md). Signal is end-to-end encrypted between devices. signal-cli on your computer decrypts messages so Hermes can read them. Your Hermes host, model provider and tools see what you send. Alternatives include SimpleX (no persistent user IDs) and Matrix with encryption enabled.

- **iPhone and iMessage:** [Photon (iMessage)](https://hermeswatcher.com/learn/hermes-agent-imessage-photon-setup.md) / [BlueBubbles (iMessage)](https://hermeswatcher.com/learn/hermes-agent-imessage-bluebubbles-setup.md). Photon is a third-party managed iMessage service, with no Mac needed. Messages pass through its service. Its free shared-line pool can show different sending numbers to different recipients; a dedicated number is a paid tier. BlueBubbles uses your own Mac, which must stay on and signed into Messages.

- **WhatsApp for a business:** [WhatsApp Business Cloud API](https://hermeswatcher.com/learn/hermes-agent-whatsapp-business-cloud-api-setup.md). Meta's official route needs a business account and a public HTTPS address. Hermes handles direct chats only and can reply freely only within 24 hours of the sender's last message. The guide starts with a private bot for you and named staff; review tool access before letting customers use it.

- **Personal WhatsApp:** [WhatsApp (Baileys bridge)](https://hermeswatcher.com/learn/hermes-agent-whatsapp-setup.md). The unofficial Baileys bridge has account restriction risk. The docs recommend a dedicated number.

- **Self-hosted chat:** [Matrix](https://hermeswatcher.com/learn/hermes-agent-matrix-setup.md) / [Mattermost](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/mattermost). Connect a bot to your homeserver or team server. Matrix needs a Linux or WSL2 adapter, or the documented Linux-container Proxy Mode for a native macOS or Windows agent.

- **A browser chat window:** [Hermes Webapp (browser and phone)](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/desktop#use-the-desktop-workspace-from-a-browser) / [Dashboard Chat tab](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/web-dashboard#chat) / [Open WebUI + API server](https://hermeswatcher.com/learn/hermes-agent-open-webui-setup.md). Hermes Webapp and Dashboard Chat are first-party browser routes. Open WebUI is a third-party interface to the API server. Tools run on the Hermes host.

- **Your team uses regional apps:** [Feishu / Lark](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/feishu) / [DingTalk](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/dingtalk) / [WeCom (Enterprise WeChat)](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/wecom) / [LINE](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/line). Each needs an organization or developer account on that platform; compare the requirements before choosing.

- **Texting without another app:** [SMS (Twilio)](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/sms). SMS through Twilio needs a public callback URL and has provider charges.

- **Just alerts:** [ntfy](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/ntfy). Subscribe to a topic for push replies. It can also accept prompts; protect topic access.

- **Scripts and other tools:** [Webhooks](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/webhooks) / [Open WebUI + API server](https://hermeswatcher.com/learn/hermes-agent-open-webui-setup.md) / [A2A (Agent-to-Agent)](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/a2a). Webhooks receive signed events, the API server accepts client requests, and A2A exchanges tasks with other agents.

## Before you pick

- **One gateway can connect several platforms.** Configure one app first, then add others to the same gateway. Conversations have their own sessions.

- **The computer must stay on.** Replies need an awake, networked host and any required gateway, bridge or daemon. The bot is silent while the host sleeps. Desktop has Settings → Advanced → Keep computer awake for long runs, but closing the lid or choosing Sleep still sleeps the machine. An always-on host is another option.

- **Choose who can use it.** An allowlist is a list of approved user or chat IDs. Pairing is another option: an unknown person gets a one-time code, and you approve it on your computer. A code alone grants nothing. Some platforms suppress codes when an allowlist is set; WhatsApp's bridge can still send them by default. Access rules do not limit the agent's tools; configure tools and approvals separately.

- **Decide where scheduled results go.** A job you create in a chat normally reports back there. A job you create in the terminal saves its result on the computer. Use `/sethome` in a supported chat to make it the default for a platform-only delivery target. Check delivery separately from task completion.

- **Start with `hermes gateway setup`.** The official setup command walks through platform selection. Keep bot tokens secret and configure access before inviting other people.

[How the messaging gateway works](https://hermeswatcher.com/learn/messaging-gateway-explained.md) · [Run Hermes Agent 24/7](https://hermeswatcher.com/learn/run-hermes-agent-24-7.md)

## All platforms

Difficulty is our estimate of setup effort. Features follow the official comparison table. Yes: the table lists support. Not listed: it does not mark support (the guide may say more). Voice: voice notes or spoken replies, not live calls. Streaming: the reply fills in as it is written. Feature notes under each platform explain the differences.

### Personal chat

#### Telegram

built-in · easy (our estimate) · Needs: bot token, numeric user ID

Chat with Hermes through a Telegram bot, with text, attachments and voice notes.

The overview lists: voice, images, files, threads, typing, streaming.

Feature note: The official overview table doesn't mark reactions, but the Telegram page describes them. [Telegram feature source](https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/blob/088f657ecf77674c7b8e2ededf4e3576d82e042c/website/docs/user-guide/messaging/telegram.md#L1343-L1371)

[Telegram setup guide](https://hermeswatcher.com/learn/hermes-agent-telegram-setup.md)

[Telegram official docs](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/telegram)

#### WhatsApp (Baileys bridge)

unofficial bridge · medium (our estimate) · Needs: phone number, Node.js 18+, QR pairing

An unofficial linked WhatsApp Web session through a managed Node bridge.

The overview lists: images, files, typing, streaming.

Feature note: The official overview table doesn't mark voice, but the WhatsApp page describes voice transcription and spoken replies sent as attachments. [WhatsApp (Baileys bridge) feature source](https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/blob/088f657ecf77674c7b8e2ededf4e3576d82e042c/website/docs/user-guide/messaging/whatsapp.md#L233-L238)

Feature note: The Cloud API comparison says the bridge has no read receipts or typing indicators. The bridge page describes optional read receipts, and the overview lists typing indicators. Check the individual feature instructions for your setup. [WhatsApp (Baileys bridge) feature source](https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/blob/088f657ecf77674c7b8e2ededf4e3576d82e042c/website/docs/user-guide/messaging/whatsapp-cloud.md#L393-L410)

[WhatsApp (Baileys bridge) setup guide](https://hermeswatcher.com/learn/hermes-agent-whatsapp-setup.md)

[WhatsApp (Baileys bridge) official docs](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/whatsapp)

#### WhatsApp Business Cloud API

built-in · hard (our estimate) · Needs: business phone number, Meta Business account, public HTTPS URL

Meta official WhatsApp Business messaging via signed inbound webhooks and Graph API outbound.

The overview lists: voice, images, files, typing.

[WhatsApp Business Cloud API setup guide](https://hermeswatcher.com/learn/hermes-agent-whatsapp-business-cloud-api-setup.md)

[WhatsApp Business Cloud API official docs](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/whatsapp-cloud)

#### Signal

built-in · medium (our estimate) · Needs: Signal account, external signal-cli daemon (Hermes docs: Java 17+; check signal-cli's current release notes), computer that stays on

Chat through an external signal-cli daemon, which passes messages to Hermes.

The overview lists: images, files, typing.

Feature note: The official overview table doesn't mark voice or reactions, but the Signal page describes audio messages and reactions. [Signal feature source](https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/blob/088f657ecf77674c7b8e2ededf4e3576d82e042c/website/docs/user-guide/messaging/signal.md#L148-L182)

[Signal setup guide](https://hermeswatcher.com/learn/hermes-agent-signal-setup.md)

[Signal official docs](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/signal)

#### SMS (Twilio)

built-in · medium (our estimate) · Needs: Twilio account and number, public endpoint, vendor usage charges

Standard SMS conversations backed by Twilio webhooks and outbound REST sends.

The overview does not list these media and interaction features. See the platform docs for text and event handling.

[SMS (Twilio) official docs](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/sms)

#### Email

built-in · medium (our estimate) · Needs: dedicated IMAP/SMTP account, provider authentication, trusted mail authentication

Send tasks to a dedicated inbox and receive threaded email replies.

The overview lists: images, files, threads.

[Email setup guide](https://hermeswatcher.com/learn/hermes-agent-email-setup.md)

[Email official docs](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/email)

### Team and work chat

#### Discord

built-in · easy (our estimate) · Needs: bot token, Manage Server permission, Message Content Intent

A Discord bot for DMs, server channels, threads and voice.

The overview lists: voice, images, files, threads, reactions, typing, streaming.

[Discord setup guide](https://hermeswatcher.com/learn/hermes-agent-discord-setup.md)

[Discord official docs](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/discord)

#### Slack

built-in · medium (our estimate) · Needs: workspace app permission, bot and app tokens

Chat through a Slack bot using an outbound connection, without a public callback URL.

The overview lists: voice, images, files, threads, reactions, typing, streaming.

[Slack setup guide](https://hermeswatcher.com/learn/hermes-agent-slack-setup.md)

[Slack official docs](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/slack)

#### Google Chat

built-in · hard (our estimate) · Needs: Google Workspace, app publishing rights, Cloud project, service account

Chat through a Google Workspace app using a Cloud Pub/Sub pull subscription.

The overview lists: images, files, threads, typing.

Feature note: The overview lists images and files. Native file uploads need each user to complete `/setup-files` OAuth, which grants the required Google account permission. Without it, Hermes uses inline links and download cards. [Google Chat feature source](https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/blob/088f657ecf77674c7b8e2ededf4e3576d82e042c/website/docs/user-guide/messaging/google_chat.md#L260-L335)

[Google Chat setup guide](https://hermeswatcher.com/learn/hermes-agent-google-chat-setup.md)

[Google Chat official docs](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/google_chat)

#### Microsoft Teams

built-in · hard (our estimate) · Needs: Microsoft tenant, bot registration rights, public HTTPS URL

A Teams bot receiving Bot Framework webhook messages and replying in Teams.

The overview lists: images, threads, typing.

[Microsoft Teams setup guide](https://hermeswatcher.com/learn/hermes-agent-microsoft-teams-setup.md)

[Microsoft Teams official docs](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/teams)

#### Raft

built-in · medium (our estimate) · Needs: Raft workspace, External Agent permission, authenticated CLI

Receive Raft wake notifications, then let Hermes read and reply through the Raft CLI.

The overview does not list these media and interaction features. See the platform docs for text and event handling.

[Raft official docs](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/raft)

#### Buzz

built-in · medium (our estimate) · Needs: Buzz CLI, relay URL, member private key

Chat through Buzz community channels or direct messages, using its CLI and a Nostr relay.

The overview lists: images, threads.

Feature note: The official overview table doesn't mark files, but the Buzz page describes incoming images, audio, video and documents. That description does not establish support for sending arbitrary files. [Buzz feature source](https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/blob/088f657ecf77674c7b8e2ededf4e3576d82e042c/website/docs/user-guide/messaging/buzz.md#L5-L9)

[Buzz official docs](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/buzz)

### iPhone and iMessage

#### BlueBubbles (iMessage)

built-in · hard (our estimate) · Needs: a Mac that stays on, Messages login, BlueBubbles Server

An always-on Mac Messages account bridged to Hermes by BlueBubbles webhooks and REST.

The overview lists: images, files, reactions, typing.

Feature note: The official overview table doesn't mark voice, but the BlueBubbles page describes voice attachments. Reactions and typing indicators need the Private API helper. [BlueBubbles (iMessage) feature source](https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/blob/088f657ecf77674c7b8e2ededf4e3576d82e042c/website/docs/user-guide/messaging/bluebubbles.md#L129-L131)

Feature note: Reactions, typing indicators, read receipts and new chats by address need the Private API helper. Basic sending can also need it when the Mac user is logged out or running in the background. [BlueBubbles (iMessage) feature source](https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/blob/088f657ecf77674c7b8e2ededf4e3576d82e042c/website/docs/user-guide/messaging/bluebubbles.md#L177-L199)

[BlueBubbles (iMessage) setup guide](https://hermeswatcher.com/learn/hermes-agent-imessage-bluebubbles-setup.md)

[BlueBubbles (iMessage) official docs](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/bluebubbles)

#### Photon (iMessage)

built-in · medium (our estimate) · Needs: Photon account, iMessage-capable number, Node.js, a few terminal commands, messages route through Photon's service

Use a managed iMessage line through Photon, without a local Mac relay.

The overview lists: voice, images, files, reactions, typing.

Feature note: The overview lists images, files and voice. Incoming attachments provide metadata, such as file details, rather than file contents. Hermes can send outgoing attachments. [Photon (iMessage) feature source](https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/blob/088f657ecf77674c7b8e2ededf4e3576d82e042c/website/docs/user-guide/messaging/photon.md#L199-L209)

[Photon (iMessage) setup guide](https://hermeswatcher.com/learn/hermes-agent-imessage-photon-setup.md)

[Photon (iMessage) official docs](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/photon)

### Self-hosted and open

#### Mattermost

built-in · medium (our estimate) · Needs: Mattermost server, bot token, admin for bot enablement

Chat with a bot in Mattermost direct messages or team channels.

The overview lists: voice, images, files, threads, typing, streaming.

[Mattermost official docs](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/mattermost)

#### Matrix

built-in · medium; hard with encryption (our estimate) · Needs: Linux or WSL2 adapter, or Linux container Proxy Mode, Matrix account, matrix extra, libolm for encryption

Chat through a Matrix bot, with media, threads and configurable room encryption.

The overview lists: voice, images, files, threads, reactions, typing, streaming.

[Matrix setup guide](https://hermeswatcher.com/learn/hermes-agent-matrix-setup.md)

[Matrix official docs](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/matrix)

#### SimpleX Chat

built-in · medium (our estimate) · Needs: SimpleX CLI daemon, contacts

Chat through a local SimpleX daemon and its established contacts.

The overview lists: voice, images, files, typing.

Feature note: The overview lists typing indicators, while the adapter's platform hint says they are unavailable. Check the behavior of your installed version before relying on them. [SimpleX Chat feature source](https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/blob/088f657ecf77674c7b8e2ededf4e3576d82e042c/plugins/platforms/simplex/adapter.py#L699-L719)

[SimpleX Chat official docs](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/simplex)

#### IRC

built-in · easy (our estimate) · Needs: IRC server, bot nickname

Plain-text Hermes conversations on IRC channels or DMs.

The overview does not list these media and interaction features. See the platform docs for text and event handling.

[IRC official docs](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/irc)

### Regional (China, Japan)

#### DingTalk

built-in · medium (our estimate) · Needs: organization account, app credentials, DingTalk extra

Chat through a DingTalk robot using an outbound Stream Mode connection.

The overview lists: images, files, reactions, streaming.

[DingTalk official docs](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/dingtalk)

#### Feishu / Lark

built-in · medium (our estimate) · Needs: workspace app permissions, app credentials

A Feishu/Lark bot with outbound WebSocket or inbound webhook transport.

The overview lists: voice, images, files, threads, reactions, typing, streaming.

[Feishu / Lark official docs](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/feishu)

#### WeCom (Enterprise WeChat)

built-in · medium (our estimate) · Needs: WeCom organization, AI Bot credentials

Chat through a WeCom AI Bot using an outbound WebSocket connection.

The overview lists: voice, images, files.

Feature note: The official overview table doesn't mark typing or streaming, but the WeCom page describes streamed messages and a thinking indicator when `streaming.enabled` is on. [WeCom (Enterprise WeChat) feature source](https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/blob/088f657ecf77674c7b8e2ededf4e3576d82e042c/website/docs/user-guide/messaging/wecom.md#L102-L110)

[WeCom (Enterprise WeChat) official docs](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/wecom)

#### WeCom Callback (self-built application)

built-in · hard (our estimate) · Needs: enterprise admin, app credentials, public HTTPS URL

Reach a self-built WeCom enterprise app through encrypted message callbacks.

The overview does not list these media and interaction features. See the platform docs for text and event handling.

[WeCom Callback (self-built application) official docs](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/wecom-callback)

#### Weixin / WeChat

built-in · medium (our estimate) · Needs: WeChat account, QR login

Chat through a personal WeChat bot identity, with QR login and long polling.

The overview lists: voice, images, files, typing.

Feature note: QR login creates a separate iLink bot identity. It usually cannot join ordinary WeChat groups. [Weixin / WeChat feature source](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/weixin)

[Weixin / WeChat official docs](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/weixin)

#### QQ Bot

built-in · medium (our estimate) · Needs: QQ bot application, app credentials, message intents

Chat through the official QQ Bot API in direct, group-mention and guild conversations.

The overview lists: voice, images, files, typing.

[QQ Bot official docs](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/qqbot)

#### Yuanbao

built-in · medium (our estimate) · Needs: Yuanbao account, bot creation permission

Chat with a Yuanbao bot in direct or group conversations.

The overview lists: voice, images, files, typing, streaming.

[Yuanbao official docs](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/yuanbao)

#### LINE

built-in · medium (our estimate) · Needs: LINE Messaging API channel, channel credentials, public HTTPS URL

Chat through a LINE Messaging API bot with signed incoming message callbacks.

The overview lists: images, files, typing.

Feature note: The official overview table doesn't mark voice, but the LINE page describes incoming audio and outgoing voice links. Typing and loading indicators are limited to DMs. LINE has no message-editing API. [LINE feature source](https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/blob/088f657ecf77674c7b8e2ededf4e3576d82e042c/website/docs/user-guide/messaging/line.md#L196-L201)

[LINE official docs](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/line)

### Notifications and automation

#### Home Assistant

catalog plugin · medium (our estimate) · Needs: Home Assistant instance, long-lived token, catalog plugin

An event/notification and device-control plugin, not an ordinary two-way human messenger.

The overview does not list these media and interaction features. See the platform docs for text and event handling.

[Home Assistant official docs](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/homeassistant)

#### ntfy

built-in · easy (our estimate) · Needs: topic, subscribed client, topic access controls

Text pub/sub topics that let a phone, script or browser send prompts and receive push replies.

The overview does not list these media and interaction features. See the platform docs for text and event handling.

[ntfy official docs](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/ntfy)

#### Webhooks

built-in · medium (our estimate) · Needs: event source, receiver URL, signing secret

Receive signed events from external services, then run a task or deliver a message.

No row in the overview feature table. See the official docs for capabilities.

[Webhooks official docs](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/webhooks)

#### Microsoft Teams Meetings workflow

built-in · hard (our estimate) · Needs: tenant admin consent, Graph permissions, public HTTPS URL, pipeline plugin

Summarize Microsoft Teams meeting transcripts through a Microsoft Graph workflow.

No row in the overview feature table. See the official docs for capabilities.

[Microsoft Teams Meetings workflow official docs](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/teams-meetings)

#### Microsoft Graph webhook listener

built-in · hard (our estimate) · Needs: Graph subscription privileges, public HTTPS URL, clientState secret

Receive Microsoft Graph change notifications for downstream meeting and event workflows.

No row in the overview feature table. See the official docs for capabilities.

[Microsoft Graph webhook listener official docs](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/msgraph-webhook)

#### Google Meet

built-in · medium (our estimate) · Needs: built-in google_meet plugin, documented meeting setup

Join and transcribe Meet calls, with optional spoken replies. This is a meeting tool, not a chat gateway.

No row in the overview feature table. See the official docs for capabilities.

Feature note: The Built-in Plugins table says 'optional realtime duplex audio', but the google_meet section says realtime mode is speak-only, with input from live captions. Follow the narrower description. [Google Meet feature source](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/built-in-plugins#google_meet)

[Google Meet official docs](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/built-in-plugins#google_meet)

### Hermes's own apps

#### Hermes Webapp (browser and phone)

built-in · medium (our estimate) · Needs: Webapp enabled, for other devices, Settings → Web Access (Nous account sign-in) or the dashboard sign-in gate, HTTPS or a tunnel recommended (plain HTTP turns off mic and notifications; use only a trusted network)

Use the Desktop workspace in a browser, including from your phone.

No row in the overview feature table. See the official docs for capabilities.

[Hermes Webapp (browser and phone) official docs](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/desktop#use-the-desktop-workspace-from-a-browser)

#### Hermes Desktop connected to a remote Hermes

built-in · medium (our estimate) · Needs: Hermes running on another machine, reached through a remote gateway, SSH or Hermes Cloud, documented authentication

Chat from Desktop with Hermes running on another machine.

No row in the overview feature table. See the official docs for capabilities.

[Hermes Desktop connected to a remote Hermes official docs](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/desktop#connecting-to-a-remote-backend)

#### Dashboard Chat tab

built-in · medium (our estimate) · Needs: running web dashboard, protected access, Node.js, Linux, macOS or WSL2 (the Chat tab needs a terminal session, so native Windows is not supported)

Use the Hermes terminal interface from the dashboard in your browser.

No row in the overview feature table. See the official docs for capabilities.

[Dashboard Chat tab official docs](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/web-dashboard#chat)

#### ACP in code editors

built-in · medium (our estimate) · Needs: an editor that supports ACP, Hermes ACP extra installed (`hermes acp`)

ACP (Agent Client Protocol) is a standard way for code editors to talk to agents. Use Hermes inside an editor that supports ACP.

No row in the overview feature table. See the official docs for capabilities.

[ACP in code editors official docs](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/acp)

### Browser and API clients

#### Open WebUI + API server

built-in · medium (our estimate) · Needs: Hermes model, API key of 16+ characters, compatible client

Use a browser chat frontend or script with the Hermes OpenAI-compatible API server.

No row in the overview feature table. See the official docs for capabilities.

[Open WebUI + API server setup guide](https://hermeswatcher.com/learn/hermes-agent-open-webui-setup.md)

[Open WebUI + API server official docs](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/open-webui)

#### A2A (Agent-to-Agent)

built-in · hard (our estimate) · Needs: reachable HTTP endpoint for inbound, peer credentials

Exchange tasks with other independent agents through the Agent-to-Agent protocol.

No row in the overview feature table. See the official docs for capabilities.

[A2A (Agent-to-Agent) official docs](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/a2a)

### Experimental

#### Hermes Relay (experimental)

experimental · hard (our estimate) · Needs: provisioned connector, tenant route, enrollment token

An experimental connector route for real chat platforms.

Features are negotiated with the connector.

[Hermes Relay (experimental) official docs](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/messaging/relay)

## Other ways in

For other routes, see [Hermes's own apps](https://hermeswatcher.com/messaging#group-hermes-s-own-apps), [Notifications and automation](https://hermeswatcher.com/messaging#group-notifications-and-automation), [Browser and API clients](https://hermeswatcher.com/messaging#group-browser-and-api-clients) and [Experimental](https://hermeswatcher.com/messaging#group-experimental).

The [official Plugin Catalog](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/plugins) also lists community-maintained platform plugins on its Platforms shelf. Check each entry's maintainer and disclosure.

## Questions

### Can you use several platforms at once?

Yes. One gateway process can connect several configured platforms. Start with one, then add the others and their access settings.

### Does your computer need to stay on?

Yes. The host needs to be awake and online, with any required gateway and bridge components running. An always-on host can keep answering while your personal laptop is off.

### Which WhatsApp route should you use?

The personal Baileys bridge is unofficial and carries account restriction risk. The docs recommend a dedicated number. Cloud API is Meta's official business route. Hermes supports direct chats and free-form replies within 24 hours of the sender's last message, with no template sending outside that window. Protect credentials and limit agent access on either route.

### Do you need a public URL?

It depends on the route. Telegram polling, Slack Socket Mode and Google Chat's Pub/Sub pull route do not need a public callback. Teams, WhatsApp Cloud API, LINE, SMS (Twilio), WeCom Callback and the Microsoft Graph listener need a provider-reachable public address. Webhooks and A2A inbound need an address their callers can reach; local callers can use a local endpoint. Telegram can optionally use webhook mode on cloud hosts. A public HTTPS URL is an encrypted web address the provider can reach. A tunnel can forward it to a local receiver; authenticate and secure that receiver.

### Who can talk to your bot?

For human chat, configure explicit grants such as an allowlist or approved pairing. Unknown users cannot execute work without a grant. They may be ignored or receive a pairing code, depending on the platform and policy. WhatsApp's bridge sends codes by default even with an allowlist; its guide shows the private-number ignore policy. On Photon, an unknown sender may still get a pairing code. A code does nothing until you approve it, so approve only people you recognize. Email ignores unknown senders by default. API clients and service events have their own authentication boundaries.

Reviewed Oct 29, 2026 against the official Hermes docs.

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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