# IDE integration (ACP): run Hermes inside your code editor

> Start Hermes in Agent Client Protocol mode so editors like VS Code, Zed and JetBrains IDEs can use it as a coding agent.

Canonical: https://hermeswatcher.com/tools/ide-integration-acp  
Kind: Integration · Skills, plugins & MCP  
Last reviewed: Oct 20, 2026  
Basis: Explained from the official Hermes Agent docs and repository (Nous Research). Steps follow the linked official sources.

## What it is for

ACP, the Agent Client Protocol, lets editors host external AI agents in their own chat panels. Running `hermes acp` starts Hermes as an ACP server that speaks JSON-RPC over standard input and output. A compatible editor can then send it prompts, show its tool calls and ask you to approve risky actions. Tools run relative to the editor's working directory, so the agent works directly on the open project. VS Code (through the ACP Client extension), Zed and ACP-compatible JetBrains plugins are documented. The ACP toolset is curated and leaves out messaging delivery and cron management.

## What you need

- A working Hermes install with provider credentials configured (for example via `hermes model`)
- The ACP extra installed from the Hermes checkout
- An ACP-capable editor or plugin, such as VS Code with the ACP Client extension or Zed

## Setting it up

1. Install the ACP extra: `cd ~/.hermes/hermes-agent && python -c "import pm; pm.sync_venv(['acp'], explicit=True)"`
2. In VS Code, install the ACP Client extension and pick Hermes Agent, or add an acp.agents entry with command hermes and args ["acp"]
3. In Zed, add a custom agent server named hermes-agent with command hermes and args ["acp"], then start a new external-agent thread

## How to check it works

- Run `hermes acp --version` and `hermes acp --check`
- Confirm Hermes appears in the editor's agent list and a new chat responds
- If it fails to start, run `hermes doctor` and `hermes status`

## Limits

- Messaging delivery and cron management are excluded from the ACP toolset
- Browser tools need a separate `hermes acp --setup-browser` step that can download about 400 MB
- Approval prompts are denied on timeout (default 300 seconds), and some hosts auto-answer permission requests

## Related workflows

- [Build a useful GitHub issue review](https://hermeswatcher.com/workflows/github-issue-review.md)

## Sources

- [Hermes Agent docs: IDE Integration (ACP)](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/acp)

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