01What is Herald OS?

Herald OS is a free, open-source agent native operating system that uses Hermes Agent as its interface. In this episode, Julian Goldie shows how Herald OS makes it easier to navigate, control, and command your AI agents with a beautiful user interface.

Instead of using a messy terminal, you get a clean dashboard where you can see your day, talk to Hermes, and manage files, missions, and automations. Herald OS is available on GitHub and can be set up quickly with the help of Claude.

02Main Features of Herald OS

Herald OS comes with many features that make managing your AI agents simple. Here are the main ones shown in the episode:

  • Dashboard: Shows a personalized greeting, your scheduled tasks, and suggestions on where to continue.
  • Voice control: You can talk to Hermes, just like with Jarvis, and choose between local or live voice engines.
  • Missions: Give Hermes a mission, and it will plan and execute it step by step.
  • Memory: View all the memories Hermes has stored about you.
  • File manager: Organize files by recent, favorites, projects, downloads, shared, and deleted.
  • Automations: Create and manage automated tasks, like daily recaps or inbox triage.
  • Workspaces: Switch between personal, work, and ideas spaces to keep different projects separate.

03How to Set Up Herald OS

Setting up Herald OS is easy. Julian shows that you can even use Claude to do it for you. Here are the steps he took:

  1. Go to GitHub and find the Herald OS repository.
  2. Open Claude and ask it to set up Herald OS for you.
  3. Wait for Claude to complete the installation (it took about two minutes).
  4. Once installed, launch Herald OS and start exploring the interface.
  5. Connect your preferred AI models and configure settings.
  6. Add any plugins you want from GitHub.

04How to Use Herald OS in Daily Work

Once Herald OS is running, you can use it in many ways. Julian walks through a typical session.

First, the dashboard greets you by name and shows your scheduled tasks. You can talk to Hermes using the voice feature, or type commands. You can also see recent screenshots from your desktop to continue work.

To give Hermes a mission, just type it in the missions section. For example, write “Build out a new website for me,” and Hermes will plan it out and start working.

You can manage files in the file section, switch between workspaces (personal, work, ideas), and check your activity history to see what Hermes has been doing in the background. Use the automations section to set up recurring tasks like daily recaps or email summaries.

05Results and Comparisons with Hermes Desktop

Julian compares Herald OS with other interfaces like Hermes Desktop. He says Herald OS looks much better and is nicer to use. Hermes Desktop also supports plugins, but Julian prefers Herald OS's design.

He also shows that Herald OS syncs automatically with three systems: Herald OS, Hermes Desktop, and Agentic Operating System. This means you can manage Hermes from different places, and they all stay in sync. For example, daily automations like “6 a.m. to-do recap” and “inbox triage” appear across all systems.

However, the connections section does not work for Julian. He notes that this is common with open-source projects, and you might need some back-and-forth to get everything working perfectly.

06Tips, Limits, and Mistakes to Avoid

Herald OS is powerful but has some limitations. Julian shares a few tips and warnings.

  • Check your memory: Be careful what shows up in the memory section, as it might display personal details like your Telegram info.
  • Fix connections yourself: If a feature doesn't work, you can ask Claude to fix it, like adding more apps.
  • Use auto-approve wisely: You can turn on auto-approve for tasks, but consider asking before sending messages to avoid mistakes.
  • Monitor background agents: Check your activity history regularly because Hermes might set up tasks in the background you forget about.
  • Resize the sidebar: If the interface cuts off at the top, you can resize the bar to see everything.

07Who Herald OS Is For and Why It Matters

Herald OS is for anyone who uses Hermes Agent and wants a cleaner, more intuitive way to manage it. It's especially useful for people who don't like using the terminal or who find Hermes Desktop less appealing.

Because it's free and open source, it's a great option for individuals and businesses that want to customize their agent operating system. Julian believes it's a great option for those looking for a nice UI.

Having a dedicated operating system for agents makes it easier to stay organized, especially if you have multiple projects, clients, or personal tasks. It also provides a central hub for all your agent activities, which can save time and reduce confusion.