# Deployment: separate the agent host from its execution sandbox

> Understand the difference between running Hermes in a container and using a container only for terminal commands.

Canonical: https://hermeswatcher.com/tools/deployment  
Kind: Deployment · Development & operations  
Last reviewed: Oct 19, 2026  
Basis: Explained from the official Hermes Agent docs and repository (Nous Research). Steps follow the linked official sources.

## What it is for

Docker appears in Hermes in two distinct roles. The whole agent can run inside a container, or the host agent can use Docker as its terminal backend. These choices affect where configuration, tools, files, and credentials live. For an unattended service, plan the persistent data location and recovery procedure before selecting an image. Keep the agent host separate from the website hosting decision; a static resource site does not require a full agent runtime in its web server.

## What you need

- A compatible Docker host or another documented deployment environment, with adequate storage and operational access.
- A persistent data plan, protected credentials, and a clear network access policy for any administrative endpoints.

## Setting it up

1. Choose the deployment role and inspect the current official instructions for the installed release. Prefer an identified stable version for reproducibility.
2. Configure persistence, service startup, and backups deliberately. Begin without unnecessary public ports, then run a harmless agent task and restart test.

## How to check it works

- Verify that configuration and expected data survive a restart, and that an actual scheduled output appears.
- Confirm administrative endpoints are accessible only as intended and that logs identify a failing process clearly.

## Limits

- A running container is not proof that the gateway, tools, model route, and delivery all work.
- Image channels differ. Local models, browser runtimes, retained logs, and container images can consume substantial storage beyond a small website project.

## Related workflows

- [Know whether an automation actually worked](https://hermeswatcher.com/workflows/reliable-recurring-automation.md)
- [Wake up to a useful research briefing](https://hermeswatcher.com/workflows/daily-research-briefing.md)

## Sources

- [Official Docker deployment](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/docker)

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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