Use SOUL.md with Hermes
is the primary identity for your Hermes instance. It's the first thing in the system prompt — it defines who the agent is, how it speaks, and what it avoids. If
- Section
- Guides & Tutorials
- Source
- hermesbible.com/docs/guides/use-soul-with-hermes
is the primary identity for your Hermes instance. It's the first thing in the system prompt — it defines who the agent is, how it speaks, and what it avoids. If
Excerpt from the official Hermes Agent documentation, quoted for reference. View sourceWhat this page covers
- What SOUL.md is for
- What SOUL.md is not for
- Where it lives
- First-run behavior
- How Hermes uses it
- A good first edit
- Example styles
- 1. Pragmatic engineer
- Style
- Avoid
Section outline mirrored from the official Hermes Agent documentation. Follow any heading to read the complete text on the source site.
Upstream outline
Section map
What SOUL.md is for
Maps what soul.md is for to the Guides & Tutorials documentation path, with the source page reserved for exact commands and updates.
What SOUL.md is not for
Maps what soul.md is not for to the Guides & Tutorials documentation path, with the source page reserved for exact commands and updates.
Where it lives
Maps where it lives to the Guides & Tutorials documentation path, with the source page reserved for exact commands and updates.
First-run behavior
Maps first-run behavior to the Guides & Tutorials documentation path, with the source page reserved for exact commands and updates.
How Hermes uses it
Maps how hermes uses it to the Guides & Tutorials documentation path, with the source page reserved for exact commands and updates.
A good first edit
Maps a good first edit to the Guides & Tutorials documentation path, with the source page reserved for exact commands and updates.
Example styles
Maps example styles to the Guides & Tutorials documentation path, with the source page reserved for exact commands and updates.
1. Pragmatic engineer
Maps 1. pragmatic engineer to the Guides & Tutorials documentation path, with the source page reserved for exact commands and updates.
Implementation notes
- Use this Guides & Tutorials doc as a navigation page first: the local clone mirrors the source structure and links each heading back to the authoritative upstream section.
- Primary decision areas: What SOUL.md is for, What SOUL.md is not for, Where it lives, First-run behavior, How Hermes uses it. Read those source anchors before changing installs, credentials, automation, or runtime configuration.
- Useful search signals for this doc: soul.md, primary, identity, instance., first. These are derived from the public title and summary so the clone remains lightweight.
Decision table
Use when you need orientation for use soul.md with hermes before applying exact upstream commands.
Open the source anchor for What SOUL.md is for and confirm platform-specific requirements before changing configuration.
Use the upstream page as the authority for current syntax, release changes, and security-sensitive steps.
Verification checklist
- Use this page to orient yourself within Guides & Tutorials, then open the linked source page for exact current syntax.
- Start with the source section for What SOUL.md is for; do not rely on the local summary for commands or secrets.
- Check platform, install method, provider, and credential assumptions before changing a real environment.
- Review the source section for What SOUL.md is not for if the page involves setup, automation, messaging, or runtime behavior.
- After applying anything from the source, run the smallest relevant smoke test before widening scope.
Risk notes
Check filesystem, shell, browser, repository, and server permissions before granting the agent write access.
What this page covers
- Core concept and where it fits in the Hermes Agent system.
- Setup or operating context implied by the upstream page summary.
- The source page link for full current details and updates.
Source mirror note
This page is generated from the public Hermes Bible index so the clone has the same route coverage and search surface. It stores the public title, category, summary, and source link locally; use the source page for full upstream text and updates.
Open source page