deploy-hermes-docker-agent

name	deploy-hermes-docker-agent
description	Deploy a randomized local Docker Hermes agent with Ollama Cloud and SearXNG.

Deploy Hermes Docker Agent

Use when Boss asks to deploy a new local Docker-hosted Hermes Agent like Birdie.

Defaults

• Docker image: nousresearch/hermes-agent:latest
• Model provider: ollama-cloud
• Model: glm-5.2:cloud
• Ollama base URL: https://ollama.com/v1
• Search backend: searxng
• SearXNG URL: https://searxng.hoyack.ai
• Timezone: America/Chicago
• Gateway command: gateway run
• API bind: loopback only, 127.0.0.1:<host-port>->8642/tcp
• Dashboard: disabled unless the user explicitly asks for it
• Data root: $HOME/.hermes-agents/<random-slug> mounted as /opt/data

Rules

• Choose the agent name yourself unless the user provides one. Use a short random codename and derive a safe slug from it.
• Never hardcode API keys in the skill, memory, logs, Docker command line, or final response.
• Accept the Ollama Cloud key from OLLAMA_API_KEY or hidden terminal prompt. If a key was pasted in chat, recommend rotation after deployment is confirmed.
• Abort instead of overwriting if the chosen container name or data directory already exists.
• Avoid ports already in use. Pick the first available loopback host port starting at 8642 unless the user gives one.
• Do not enable messaging channels or Slack as part of this skill.

Workflow

1. Confirm Docker is available with docker --version.
2. Generate a random display name and slug, for example Astra -> hermes-astra.
3. Pick an unused loopback host port starting at 8642.
4. Pull or use nousresearch/hermes-agent:latest.
5. Create the data directory with mode 0700.
6. Write Hermes config and .env through a transient container using /opt/hermes/.venv/bin/python, not host-side YAML editing.
7. Start the persistent container:

docker run -d \
  --name "$CONTAINER" \
  --restart unless-stopped \
  -v "$DATA_DIR:/opt/data" \
  -p "127.0.0.1:$HOST_PORT:8642" \
  nousresearch/hermes-agent:latest gateway run

8. Verify:

docker ps --filter "name=$CONTAINER"
curl -sS --max-time 5 "http://127.0.0.1:$HOST_PORT/health"
docker exec "$CONTAINER" hermes status
docker exec "$CONTAINER" hermes doctor

9. Report the container name, data directory, host health URL, TUI command, and any non-blocking doctor warnings.

TUI

Tell the user to open the TUI with:

docker exec -it <container-name> hermes --tui

Resume the latest TUI session with:

docker exec -it <container-name> hermes --tui --continue

Expected Files

Write these into /opt/data:

• config.yaml with model.provider=ollama-cloud, model.default=glm-5.2:cloud, web.search_backend=searxng, display.interface=tui, and timezone=America/Chicago.
• .env with OLLAMA_API_KEY, OLLAMA_BASE_URL, SEARXNG_URL, API_SERVER_ENABLED=true, API_SERVER_HOST=0.0.0.0, API_SERVER_PORT=8642, and a generated API_SERVER_KEY.
• SOUL.md naming the agent and describing the runtime.
• README-<SLUG>.md with start/stop/status/logs/TUI commands.

Helper Script

Prefer scripts/deploy-hermes-docker-agent.sh when available. It implements the default deployment path and keeps the API key out of the process command line by reading it from OLLAMA_API_KEY or a hidden prompt.