# Runbox: Hermes Agent plugin

> Build, run and test Python in an offline container per chat, with results as a plain file:line issue list.

Canonical: https://hermeswatcher.com/plugins/runbox  
Tier: Community  
Official page (Nous Research): https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/plugins/runbox  
Last updated in catalog: 2026-10-18

Build, run and test Python in an offline container per chat, with results as a plain file:line issue list. The agent syncs files or folders in as copies, then runs run (a shell command), check (ruff error rules) and test (pytest); fixes stay in the box until the user asks for export, which writes changed files back through write_file and reports host files changed since the sync as conflicts. In Hermes Desktop a VS Code-style editor opens beside the chat: file tabs with in-place editing, Run / Check / Test / Stop, and PROBLEMS / OUTPUT / RUNS panels that follow the agent live. Ships the runbox:dev-loop starting-point skill.

## Good to know before installing

Needs Docker (on macOS a dedicated colima profile 'runbox', started on demand with --activate=false and its own Docker config); pulls the container image pinned by digest and installs a hash-pinned checker toolchain (ruff 0.16.9, pytest 9.1.1 and deps) from PyPI once per image; the work container has no network, hardened flags, and runs commands without Hermes' dangerous-command approval like Hermes' Docker backend; install (PyPI) always asks for approval in a separate installer container; a write_file/patch on an imported original asks for approval (guard_imports); export reads each existing target through read_file before replacing it; a background thread removes idle containers (15 min), stops the VM, and removes boxes of deleted or long-idle chats (reads state.db read-only hourly); adds a short per-turn note (about 80 tokens); no credentials or telemetry.

From the plugin's catalog listing.

## How to install

1. Install it. Hermes asks for any API keys it needs, then asks whether to turn it on.

```bash
hermes plugins install runbox
```

2. Said no? Turn it on later:

```bash
hermes plugins enable runbox
```

3. Restart Hermes so it loads the plugin.

Some plugins also need a sign-in or settings: see the official page. Memory plugins ask whether to become your memory provider instead. Steps follow the official plugins guide: https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/plugins

## Facts

- Category: Coding & developer tools
- Maintained by: Zek-Takai (Community)
- Needs: No API keys declared
- Adds tools: `runbox`
- Works on: linux, macos
- Requires Hermes: `>=0.22.2`
- Version: 0.1.0
- In the catalog since: 2026-10-18

## Links

- [Full setup and settings (official page)](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/plugins/runbox)
- [Source code](https://github.com/Zek-Takai/hermes-runbox)
- [All plugins](https://hermeswatcher.com/plugins.md)

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