01What is Hermes Agent Grok 4.5?
Hermes Agent Grok 4.5 is a combination of the Hermes Agent system and Grok 4.5, a language model from xAI. It lets you use Grok 4.5 inside Hermes to build custom workflows for images, video, voice, and research. The key benefit is that if you are subscribed to Twitter (now X), you can access Grok 4.5 without paying extra.
In this episode, Julian Goldie tested this setup and showed how to get the most value. He explains that using Grok 4.5 directly in chat is slow, but building dedicated tools with Hermes makes it fast and powerful. He also compares it to other models like Claude's Opus 4.8 and GLM 5.2.
Grok 4.5 is positioned as a top-tier model, close to Opus 4.8, and better than GLM 5.2 for many tasks. However, the way you use it matters a lot. Julian demonstrates that with the right workflows, Grok 4.5 becomes a versatile tool for content creation.
02How Hermes Agent Works with Grok 4.5
Hermes Agent is a system for building AI-powered workflows. When you add Grok 4.5, you can create custom tools that generate images, videos, and voice notes. These tools are one-click and feel like a SaaS product, but they run inside your own agent system.
One major feature is the use of OAuth login. With Grok 4.5, you can log in with your Twitter account, which is free if you already pay for Twitter. This is unlike Claude, where you must pay for the API.
That saves you money and simplifies the process.
The system also integrates with other agents like Hermes Oracle and Hermes Astros. You can plug Grok 4.5 into a video agent that does research, writes scripts, and generates b-roll. This makes it a complete content creation suite.
The memory system, using Obsidian, automatically logs your work so all agents stay informed.
03How to Set Up Hermes Agent with Grok 4.5
Setting up Hermes Agent with Grok 4.5 is straightforward. Here is what Julian showed in the episode.
- Ensure you have an active Twitter (X) subscription to get free access to Grok 4.5 via OAuth.
- Open Hermes Agent and create a new profile for Grok 4.5. This profile will be separate from other models like GLM 5.2.
- If you want, create a blank slate profile to test basic responses, but be aware it may be slow.
- For best performance, build a custom workflow (like a studio) that uses Grok 4.5 for specific tasks such as image generation or video creation.
- Set up the video agent to use Grok 4.5 for research and b-roll generation. You can switch the b-roll engine to Grok in the settings.
- Optionally, integrate your memory system (e.g., Obsidian) so that all agents log and access recent work automatically.
Once set up, you can use these tools with a single click, similar to using a SaaS product.
04Using Grok 4.5 for Images, Video, and Research
The best way to use Grok 4.5 is inside custom workflows, not in direct chat. Julian showed a studio tool that generates images, video, and voice in one click. For example, you can ask it to create a glowing whale in a star-filled nebula, and it takes about five seconds to generate the image.
For video, you can describe a video you want, and Grok 4.5 will research the topic via Twitter, generate b-roll, and then a video agent assembles everything. You can choose between a voiceover or a presenter, and set the length up to 10 minutes. The system will write a script, generate the avatar, and produce a full video.
Hermes Oracle is another feature. It pulls the latest news from your industry, ranks what's trending, and gives you an angle for an SEO blog post. You can then publish that blog in one click.
Julian showed examples of blogs generated this way. You can also see previous days' trends and history.
Finally, you can teach Grok 4.5 new skills, like Remotion, to create animated videos. Julian showed a flight simulator and a game that were built with Grok 4.5, demonstrating its versatility.
05Performance Tests and Comparisons
Julian tested Grok 4.5 in different scenarios during the episode. In direct chat, asking a simple question like "How are you today?" took about 10 to 60 seconds to respond. A more complex question like "What did we do yesterday?" took up to two minutes.
This was too slow for normal chat use, so he recommends not using it that way.
On the other hand, image generation was fast, around five seconds per image. The quality was high, and Julian was impressed with the output. For video, it took a few minutes to complete a 15-second clip, but the process was automated and efficient.
In terms of model quality, Julian said Grok 4.5 is "right up there" with Opus 4.8, but not quite as good. It's likely better than GLM 5.2 for competing with Opus 4.8. However, GLM 5.2 is much faster for chat, so it's better for that purpose.
Grok 4.5 excels when you need real-time research or image/video generation.
06Tips, Limits, and Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid using Grok 4.5 for basic chat. It's too slow. Instead, use a faster model like GLM 5.2 for quick interactions. Save Grok 4.5 for tasks that require its strengths, such as generating images, videos, or doing deep research.
Build custom workflows. The power of Grok 4.5 comes from integrating it into your agent system. A studio tool for media creation is far more useful than direct chat. This way, you get a SaaS-like experience without extra cost.
Take advantage of OAuth. If you already pay for Twitter, you don't need a separate API for Grok 4.5. This saves money. With Claude, you must pay for the API, which is a disadvantage.
Keep your memory system updated. Use Obsidian or similar to log recent work. This gives all agents context. Julian's system does this automatically, so he doesn't have to manually update it.
Be patient with video generation. It takes time, but it's automated. You can run it in the background while doing other things.
Don't expect instant responses. Even image generation takes a few seconds. Plan your workflows accordingly.
07Who Should Use Hermes Agent with Grok 4.5?
This setup is ideal for content creators, marketers, and AI enthusiasts who want to produce media quickly. If you already have a Twitter subscription, it's a no-brainer because it costs nothing extra. You can generate images, videos, and voice notes without paying for separate tools.
Business owners can use it to automate research and blog writing, saving hours. The Hermes Oracle feature, for example, can turn trending news into SEO articles with one click. This could be a game-changer for content marketing.
Developers and tinkerers will enjoy teaching Grok 4.5 new skills like Remotion to create animations. The possibilities are vast. The main requirement is a willingness to build custom workflows, but once set up, it's very powerful.
In summary, if you want to leverage a top-tier AI model for media and research, and you don't mind a bit of setup, Hermes Agent with Grok 4.5 is worth trying.
08Additional Features and Community Insights
Beyond the core tools, Hermes Agent integrates with a community and resources. Julian mentioned the AirPuffer Boardroom, a community for AI automation. Members get access to the full Agent OS, including Hermes Astros, Hermes Oracle, and the studio.
There are daily updates and video tutorials.
Inside the community, you can find testimonials and wins. Julian noted there are 196 pages of testimonials. Many people have installed the system quickly; one person set it up in 30 minutes.
Julian personally answers questions with video tutorials every day.
There is also a classroom with the latest updates, guides, and zip files to install the system. A calendar feature lets you book coaching sessions, and a map helps you find local AI enthusiasts. This makes it easier to learn and get support.
The bottom line, as Julian said, is that Grok 4.5 is powerful if you have the right workflows. This system provides them, and the community helps you make the most of it.