Tech • AI • Robotics
Hermes Agent Tutorial for Beginners: How to Build an App with AI
7/10TL;DR
Hermes Agent is a local autonomous AI tool that can set up, modify, and run software projects from plain-English instructions, demonstrated here by building a working calorie tracker in three prompts.
KEY POINTS
What Hermes does
Hermes Agent handles much of the setup work that often blocks new app builders, including creating files, installing packages, running terminal commands, and updating project structure. Unlike a typical code assistant limited to suggestions or the active file, it works across the full project and checks whether the application still runs after changes.
Local execution and memory
The tool runs directly on the user’s machine and is available as a desktop app for macOS, Windows, and Linux, along with a CLI option. A local memory system allows it to retain successful workflows as reusable skills, helping it approach later tasks faster and with more context instead of starting from zero each time.
Model connection and launch details
Hermes needs an external AI model for reasoning and task planning. In this setup, it is connected to the Anthropic API using an API key and configured to use Claude Sonnet 4.6. The desktop app launched on June 2, 2026, and the open-source project is maintained by New Research on GitHub.
Installation workflow
On Windows, installation is run through PowerShell, with Hermes setting up dependencies including UV, Python, Node.js, and an isolated Git environment. After reopening the terminal, the configuration wizard is started with Hermes setup, where the user selects a full setup, chooses Anthropic as provider, pastes the API key, and confirms Claude Sonnet 4.6 as the model.
Security and cost
The Anthropic key begins with sk-ant- and must be stored securely because it may not be visible again after creation. It should not be shared publicly or placed inside project files. Usage carries a token-based API cost, though a small beginner project is presented as relatively inexpensive because it relies on short prompts and limited development steps.
First build step
The first prompt instructs Hermes to build a Vite-based calorie tracker with a dark interface, title, entry container, and a form for meal name and calorie count. Hermes creates the project, installs dependencies, generates core files, and prepares the app to run locally with npm run dev.
Second feature update
The second prompt adds a daily calorie goal and a live progress bar without rebuilding the app from scratch. After refreshing the running application, entering a target of 2,000 calories and logging avocado toast at 450 calories causes the progress bar to update immediately, showing how much of the goal has been used.
Third feature update
The third prompt expands the form with a category selector for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Hermes updates the app’s data structure, links each meal to a category, and adds a summary section at the bottom that totals calories for each group, with entries displayed alongside category labels.
Finished application and file ownership
The completed tracker logs meals, tracks progress toward a daily target, and updates category totals in real time. A test run using items such as oatmeal, chicken salad, roast beef, and a protein shake shows that all features remain connected. The resulting files, including index.html, style.css, main.js, and package.json, are stored locally, editable, and not locked into a no-code platform or closed hosting system.
CONCLUSION
The demonstration presents Hermes Agent as a tool aimed at reducing setup friction in software development by combining local execution with AI-driven planning. Its main appeal is the ability to build and iteratively update working apps step by step while keeping the full project under the user’s control.
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