Hermes Agent troubleshooting

Troubleshooting should start with the environment, command, backend, provider, and verification date. Most fixes become clearer once you know whether the failure is install, execution, provider, migration, or integration related.

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Fast triage table

Symptom	Likely area	Next check
`hermes` command missing	Install/PATH	Open a new shell and re-check installer output.
Native Windows shell errors	Windows support path	Compare WSL2 and native Windows behavior.
Docker cannot see files	Volume mount or working directory	Inspect mounted paths and Docker guide.
Provider auth fails	API key/provider config	Check provider name, base URL, key source, and env forwarding.
Migration conflict	Existing Hermes state	Run dry-run and inspect conflict list before applying.
Skill behaves unexpectedly	Skill instructions or scripts	Audit skill files and tool surface.

Evidence to capture

Operating system and shell.
Hermes version or docs date.
Exact command and sanitized output.
Execution backend: local, Docker, SSH, or remote sandbox.
Provider path and whether the failure happens before or after auth.
Whether secrets, files, or messaging channels were connected.

Stop conditions

Stop retrying if the command touches migration state and you do not have a backup.
Stop sharing logs until secrets are scrubbed.
Stop adding skills or MCP servers until the base install works.

Triage order

Confirm the exact route: install, provider, Docker, Windows, migration, skill, MCP, or gateway.
Capture the command, shell, OS, backend, and sanitized output.
Check official docs and current GitHub issues before applying invasive fixes.
Stop and back up if the next command touches migration state, data directories, or credentials.
Record the final fix so the issue can become a leaf guide if it repeats.

When to create a new troubleshooting page

Pattern	Publish as page?	Reason
One-off typo	No	Handle inside the parent install guide.
Repeated Windows PATH or Git Bash issue	Yes	Search demand and fix pattern are specific.
Docker volume or port exposure issue	Yes	Risk and commands are different from generic Docker setup.
Provider auth confusion	Maybe	Publish when there are multiple provider-specific fixes.
Security-sensitive issue	Yes	Operators need a dated, careful, source-backed fix.

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
Hermes Agent Docker guide	Docker run modes, mounted data directory, gateway operation, ports, and production cautions.	2026-06-02	high
Hermes Agent configuration guide	Provider, model, backend, and environment configuration patterns.	2026-06-02	high
Migrate from OpenClaw	OpenClaw migration command flow, dry-run posture, and backup/rollback framing.	2026-06-02	high
NousResearch/hermes-agent on GitHub	Repository discovery, release/source inspection, issues, and contribution context.	2026-06-02	high
Hermes Agent security guide	Approval modes, gateway authorization, Docker terminal backend hardening, and credential cautions.	2026-06-02	high

Known caveats: This hub captures fix patterns, not guaranteed diagnoses. Re-check official docs and current issues before applying invasive changes.

FAQ

When should I stop retrying?

Stop when the next retry could mutate migration state, expose secrets, broaden file access, or run unattended automation without a backup.

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.