# witcheer's Wingtips #34: hermes proxy

Written by [witcheer](https://x.com/witcheer) at Nous Research. Republished with credit.

Canonical: https://hermeswatcher.com/wingtips/34  
Published: 2026-07-29  
[Original](https://notwitcheer.github.io/hermes-recipes/wingtips/34-hermes-proxy/) · [On X](https://x.com/witcheer/status/2082613966774350301) · [Full collection](https://notwitcheer.github.io/hermes-recipes/) · [Official docs](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/subscription-proxy)

[Source Markdown](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/notwitcheer/hermes-recipes/8653fb699a137a32e81936fa33cabacd3f4f2095/docs/wingtips/34-hermes-proxy.md): use this file as the base for relative links in the verbatim text below.

Sources: [Hermes docs: Subscription Proxy](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/subscription-proxy)


Hermes Wingtips #34: hermes proxy  

your Nous Portal subscription can serve any other app that speaks the OpenAI API.  

`hermes proxy start` runs a small local pass-through server. point the app at the address it prints, give it any placeholder API key and a model from your plan, and it will works. 

in order to double check that the Portal login is ready, type `hermes proxy status`.  

it serves the raw model, not your agent: if you want the whole agent (tools, memory, skills) behind an API, that is `hermes serve`.  

this tips is for people using Open WebUI, Karakeep, or anything self-hosted that asks for an OpenAI key you did not want to buy!