01What is Hermes desktop app and how it works
The Hermes desktop app is a free native Mac application that gives your Hermes AI agent a clean, easy-to-use interface. Instead of typing commands in a terminal, you get one window with your agent, tasks, and history all organized in front of you.
It works by connecting to the Hermes web UI that runs locally on your computer. The desktop app talks to that local server and shows everything in a friendly dashboard. You can chat with your agent, manage tasks, and see your memory all in one place.
In this episode, Julian shows how the app makes your agent feel like a completely different tool. It is more powerful and easier to manage than the terminal version. The app is free, and you can download it from the Hermes GitHub releases page.
02Key features of the Hermes desktop app
The Hermes desktop app comes packed with features that make managing your agent simple. Here are the main sections you will find on the left-hand side:
- Tasks – Create and track your agent's tasks.
- Kanban board – Visualize your work in columns, like Trello.
- Skills – See all the skills you have installed for your agent.
- Memory – View stored information about you and your preferences.
- Spaces – Manage your local files.
- Profiles – Switch between different agent configurations.
- To-dos – Add tasks; Hermes updates these automatically based on its work.
- Insights – Get analytics on your agent's activity.
- Logs – Check errors and history.
You also get a chat section to talk directly to your agent. The app supports scheduled tasks and 16 different messaging gateways, so your agent can reach you on WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack, and more.
03How to set up Hermes desktop app
Setting up the Hermes desktop app is straightforward. Follow these steps from the episode:
- Install Hermes web UI on your computer. Copy the install command from the GitHub page and run it in your terminal.
- Make sure Hermes web UI is running locally. You should see it in your browser.
- Go to the Hermes releases page on GitHub and download the latest desktop app for Mac.
- Open the downloaded file and drag the app into your Applications folder.
- Open the Hermes desktop app from your Applications folder.
- If needed, click the update button in the app to get the latest version.
Once installed, you can start a new chat or use the test connection button to make sure everything works. The process is so simple that even non-developers can do it.
04Using the app to build and deploy websites
In the episode, Julian shows how he used the Hermes desktop app to build and deploy a website. He gave his agent access to Netlify using a personal access token. Then he simply asked the agent to build a beautiful website for the AI profitable community.
The agent went off and created the site, then deployed it to Netlify automatically. You can see the live site right in the chat. This works because Hermes already knows a lot about Julian from its memory.
So when he uses the desktop app, it can use that context.
You can do the same by linking your own services like Netlify. Just give your agent the right access tokens, and it can handle website creation and deployment for you. No need to log into WordPress or manually set up pages.
05Comparing desktop app vs terminal
Julian compares the desktop app to the terminal interface (TUI). The terminal is messy and hard to read. You can easily lose track of conversations and tasks.
The desktop app, on the other hand, shows everything in a clean window.
He shows both side by side. The terminal is full of text and hard to follow. The desktop app has a organized layout with sections for tasks, chat, and history.
It is much nicer to use and easier to see what is happening.
Another point is that browsers lose your session or reload randomly. A dedicated app keeps your AI focused and persistent, always one click away. That is why Julian prefers the desktop app.
06Tips for using profiles and managing settings
Profiles are like having a team instead of one person. You can create different profiles for different agents, each with its own skills and tools. Then you can orchestrate them together.
To add a profile, go to the profiles section and click add new. You can name it and clone the config from an existing profile. You can also set an API key, but it is optional.
Leave the base URL as default.
For zooming, press Command + to zoom in and Command - to zoom out. You can delete previous conversations or rerun them. The test connection button helps you avoid breaking things.
07Who should use Hermes desktop app
The Hermes desktop app is for anyone who wants a clean and powerful way to manage their AI agent. You do not need to be a developer. You just download a file and drag it to your Applications folder.
If you worry about performance, Hermes agent is actually the number one tool in the world for AI agents, with offices in Copenhagen. Free tools can be good too.
If you already use Hermes in the terminal or browser, the desktop app makes it easier to stay organized. It is a great upgrade for both beginners and advanced users. Try it and see the difference.
