Installing Hermes Agent on Linux, macOS, WSL2 and Android
Installing Hermes Agent is deliberately boring — there is no accounts flow or app store to navigate before you can start working. On Linux, macOS, and WSL2 the whole thing comes down to a single shell one-liner, and Android gets the same experience through Termux. This guide walks through each platform so you can go from zero to a running agent with the least friction.
The One-Line Installer
For Linux, macOS, WSL2, and Termux, Hermes Agent installs with a single script:
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/main/scripts/install.sh | bash
The script is the canonical entry point, which is why it is the command printed at the top of the official docs. After it finishes, you should be able to launch the agent from your terminal and move straight into your first conversation.
Installing on Linux and macOS
On both Linux and macOS the one-liner above is the direct path. The project's official platform support documentation lists these as first-class systems, and the installer handles the download and setup for you. Once the command completes, verify the install by launching your terminal interface — the CLI is the default starting point and the one used throughout the rest of the documentation.
Installing on Windows: WSL2 and Native
Windows users have two solid routes, and the docs document both:
- WSL2 is the recommended path for most people. Because the installer targets Linux, you run the same
<code>curl ... install.sh</code>command inside your WSL2 distribution and get the full Linux experience. The WSL2 guide covers setup, filesystem access between Windows and Linux, networking, and common pitfalls, so expectations match reality from the start. - Native Windows 10 / 11 is also fully supported, with its own guide covering the install, a feature matrix, UTF-8 console settings, Git Bash, PATH handling, and common pitfalls. Choose native Windows when you prefer to avoid a virtualized environment entirely.
Installing on Android via Termux
Android is supported through Termux, the terminal emulator for Android. The official Termux (Android) guide covers running Hermes Agent directly on a phone. Because Termux provides a Linux-style environment, the one-line installer works, and you can carry a real agent in your pocket for quick tasks on the go.
Install With Nix (Optional)
If you already live in the Nix ecosystem, you are not forced to use the curl installer. The Nix setup documentation shows how to install and deploy Hermes Agent with Nix — from a quick nix run down to a fully declarative NixOS module with container mode. This is the path of choice for reproducible, declarative environments where you want your whole toolchain pinned and reproducible.
After Installation
Once installed, the natural next steps are to configure your model provider (the recommended, lowest-friction route is Nous Portal, which bundles 300+ models with a single subscription) and run your first conversation. Updates are handled through the project's updating and uninstall guidance, which keeps the agent current and lets you remove it cleanly if you need to.
Key Takeaways
- Linux, macOS, WSL2, and Termux all install with one command:
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/main/scripts/install.sh | bash. - Windows is covered two ways: the recommended WSL2 route and fully supported native Windows 10 / 11.
- Android users run Hermes Agent inside Termux.
- Nix users can install declaratively via
nix runor a NixOS module instead of the curl script.