Should I use the desktop release or CLI installer on macOS?
Use the desktop release if you want a native app path. Use the CLI installer if you want a terminal-first setup and can inspect shell output.
macOS install path
Install Hermes Agent on macOS
On macOS, use the official installer or desktop release path, then open a new shell and verify hermes before adding providers, gateways, MCP servers, or sensitive project folders.
Agent Guide is an independent editorial resource. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Nous Research, Hermes Agent, or Hermes/Hermes brand owners. Product names and marks belong to their respective owners.
Short answer
Install Hermes Agent on macOS only after checking the official installation page and repository. The official docs list a one-line CLI installer for Linux, macOS, and WSL2, plus desktop downloads through GitHub releases.
The first success signal is simple: a new terminal can run hermes or hermes --help, and you know where Hermes stores its data before you connect real projects.
Prerequisites
- A macOS account where you are comfortable installing developer tooling.
- A current terminal session and a second new terminal for PATH verification.
- Git available if using the git-based installer.
- A non-sensitive test directory for the first agent session.
- No production provider keys until the command and data directory are verified.
Command to verify against official docs
This command is shown here for orientation. Before running it, open the official installation guide and confirm the current command and requirements.
# Copy from official docs after review
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/main/scripts/install.sh | bash
# Open a new shell, then check
hermes --help
hermes doctorExpected outputs
- The installer completes without a command-not-found error.
- A new shell can resolve the
hermeslauncher. hermes doctorgives useful diagnostics or a clean environment report.- Provider setup is deferred until the first local command succeeds.
Common failures and fixes
| Symptom | Probable cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
hermes command not found | Shell PATH did not refresh | Open a new terminal and inspect installer output. |
| Git-related failure | Git missing or unavailable | Install Git or use the desktop release path if appropriate. |
| Provider setup fails | Key or provider configuration missing | Return to hermes model or the providers guide. |
| You are unsure what the installer changed | Source review skipped | Read the install script and GitHub page before retrying. |
Security notes
- Run the first session inside a test directory, not your home directory.
- Do not paste API keys into screenshots or issue reports.
- Use Docker if the workflow will execute commands against sensitive repositories.
- Back up important local config before making Hermes part of a daily workflow.
Direct answer
On macOS, use the official installer or desktop release path, then open a new shell and verify hermes before adding providers, gateways, MCP servers, or sensitive project folders.
This page is part of Agent Guide's independent Hermes Agent cluster. It is source-backed and labelled when first-hand execution has not been run.
What this page does not cover
- It does not replace the official Hermes Agent documentation.
- It does not claim official affiliation with Nous Research.
- It does not claim first-hand testing unless the page explicitly says so.
Official sources reviewed
| Source | Used for | Last checked | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hermes Agent installation guide | Install commands, prerequisites, Windows/native installer details, and post-install checks. | 2026-06-02 | high |
| NousResearch/hermes-agent on GitHub | Repository discovery, release/source inspection, issues, and contribution context. | 2026-06-02 | high |
| Hermes Agent configuration guide | Provider, model, backend, and environment configuration patterns. | 2026-06-02 | high |
Known caveats: Agent Guide did not run the macOS installer in this batch. Verify the command in official docs before using it on a work machine.
FAQ
What is the first safe task after install?
Run a non-sensitive prompt in a temporary directory and verify that provider setup, file access, and command behavior match your expectations.
Operator checklist
Get the Agent Guide launch checklist
Receive the smoke-test order for install path, sandbox boundary, provider setup, source review, and production checks.