01What Is Hermes OS and How Does It Work?

Hermes OS is the combination of Hermes Agent running inside Omarchy, a free agent operating system. It lets you use Hermes #1 as your default AI agent inside Omarchy.

Omarchy is a separate OS that runs on Windows, Mac, or Linux. It is like a virtual machine where your AI agents can live and work 24/7. The Hermes desktop app becomes part of Omarchy, and you can control everything with keyboard shortcuts.

Your Omarchy theme sets the colors in the desktop app. You can also quickly install the desktop app inside Omarchy. Once set up, you see the Hermes Agent desktop ready to build things.

02Main Features of Hermes OS and Omarchy

Hermes OS brings several useful features together.

  • Free to use – Omarchy is a free agent OS, and Hermes Agent is free.
  • Customizable themes – Your Omarchy theme controls the desktop colors, and you can create new themes.
  • Separate settings for agents – You can have Hermes Desktop one click away, plus Claude and Codex each with their own settings.
  • Hotkeys for everything – You can assign keyboard shortcuts to open Hermes Agent or other apps instantly.
  • Easy window navigation – Resize windows quickly and switch between them without hunting.
  • Runs on cheap hardware – You can use an old laptop or low-end machine.
  • Linux-based – Since it’s like a Linux box, all AI tools and scripts work first.

03How to Install Hermes OS and Set Up Hermes Agent

Installing Hermes OS is simple. Here are the steps shown in the episode.

  1. Get Omarchy from GitHub.
  2. Install Hermes Agent if you don’t have it yet.
  3. Open Omarchy on your computer.
  4. Open the terminal by pressing Command + Space and typing “terminal”.
  5. Install the Hermes Agent desktop app directly in the terminal.
  6. Alternatively, go to the Omarchy app store and install from the options there.
  7. Or ask your AI agent to install it – for example, link Omarchy to ChatGPT Astro 6 and it will configure and set up Hermes Agent for you.

Even if you are not technical, you can let your AI agents handle the setup.

04How to Use Hermes OS: Hotkeys, Themes, and Custom Apps

Once Hermes OS is installed, you can do many things.

To open a custom app, press Command + Shift + J. In the episode, this opened a daily briefing app that pulls the latest AI news. That app was built by AI.

To close a window, press Command + W. You can then tell Hermes to build a to-do app inside Omarchy, and it will start building directly in the OS.

You can also assign hotkeys. Start a new session in Hermes Agent and say “assign a new keyboard shortcut to use Hermes agent on Omarchy”. Then press Command + Shift + H to open Hermes.

Press Command + Alt + H to open the Hermes TUI in a terminal window instantly.

To change the theme, tell Hermes Agent to create a new Hermes agent style theme inside Omarchy. The theme will change the background and overall look.

05Results and Comparisons Shown in This Episode

The episode compared Omarchy with macOS. In Omarchy, you can change every setting, shortcut, and part of the look. macOS does not allow that level of customization.

Omarchy is free and runs on cheap hardware or an old laptop. The host showed how fast it is. Windows arrange themselves, and hotkeys let you navigate quickly.

Because Omarchy is like a Linux box, every AI tool, script, and tutorial works first. Your agents can live in the terminal and run 24/7. You can give AI agents like Codex or ChatGPT direct access to Omarchy.

The host also showed two agents working in parallel: one built an app, and the other assigned a hotkey. Both ran at the same time without problems.

06Tips, Limits, and Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some tips from the episode.

  • Use hotkeys – Instead of hunting for windows, assign hotkeys for everything.
  • Let AI handle setup – If you are not technical, ask ChatGPT or another agent to install Hermes Agent for you.
  • Be patient – The only hard part is rewiring your mind to think in a new OS.
  • Don’t overcomplicate – If Omarchy doesn’t feel useful for you, you don’t have to use it. It might complicate your life.
  • Watch for approvals – When agents ask for approval, click “run” to let them continue.

Avoid the mistake of trying to use Omarchy exactly like macOS. Learn the hotkeys and you will navigate faster.

07Who Is Hermes OS For and Why It Matters

Hermes OS is for anyone interested in AI automation. It is especially useful if you want to build custom apps with AI agents.

It is also great for people who want to learn. The host said it is fun to play around with and that he is learning more as he goes.

If you want a community where the goal is to grow, learn skills, get more leads, and get more customers with AI automation, you can check out the AI Profit Boarding community. Inside, you can ask questions, get help in real time, and access training on Hermes and Omarchy.

Hermes OS matters because it gives you full control over your AI environment. You can change everything, run it on any hardware, and let your agents work around the clock.