Academyacademy / hermes-101 / what-is-hermes
What Is Hermes?
Station 2 - Agent map. Time: 10 min. You learn the basic words before touching a server. Pass when you can explain Hermes without saying "it is just ChatGPT."
What this is
Hermes is an AI agent framework. When configured, it can use tools, work with files, run commands, remember useful context, load skills, and connect to channels such as Telegram.
In this workshop, we use the simplest version first: Hermes on a VPS, controlled from the terminal.
Why it matters
Beginners often use AI only as a temporary chat box. Hermes teaches the next layer: owning the place where the agent lives, the model it talks to, and the safety rules around it.
What to do
Use this beginner map:
| Word | Simple meaning |
|---|---|
| ChatGPT | A smart person in a browser tab |
| Hermes | Your own AI operator with tools, memory, and a home |
| VPS | The always-on rented computer where Hermes lives |
| API key | The fuel card Hermes uses to call AI models |
| Model | The AI brain Hermes talks to |
| Skills | Reusable playbooks Hermes can load |
| Gateway | A bridge to channels such as Telegram or Discord |
Say it in one sentence:
Copy prompt
Hermes is useful to me because it can help with [task] while living on [server/home].Common mistakes
- Thinking the VPS is optional for this workshop path.
- Treating an API key like a normal public link.
- Expecting Hermes to be safe with private documents by default.
- Confusing optional gateways with the core CLI setup.
Next step
Go to Cost + Stack Choice.