01What is Hermes Web UI vs Workspace?

Hermes Web UI vs Workspace are two free, open-source user interfaces for running Hermes agent. They both give you a dashboard to chat with your AI agent, but they work differently. One is simple and dependable; the other is packed with advanced features for running a team of agents.

Hermes Web UI is like a clean, straightforward chat tool. It connects to your Hermes agent almost perfectly every time. Hermes Workspace adds more tools like swarms, Kanban, and a conductor, but it can be buggier.

The choice affects what your agent can do for you.

02Main Differences Between Web UI and Workspace

The biggest difference is swarms. Hermes Workspace lets you run up to 17 different agent profiles at the same time. That means a full team of agents working on different tasks together.

Hermes Web UI only lets you use one profile at a time. You can switch between them, but they don't work simultaneously.

Hermes Workspace also has extra features like a Kanban board, a conductor, and missions. You can assign tasks to agents and launch missions. Web UI is simpler and more customizable in a different way—it has a terminal but lacks the advanced tools.

  • Swarm support: Workspace has it, Web UI doesn't.
  • Kanban board: Only in Workspace.
  • Conductor and missions: Only in Workspace.
  • Hermes World game: Only in Workspace.
  • Reliability: Web UI connects more reliably.

03How to Set Up Both Interfaces

Setting up both is straightforward. Both are on GitHub, and the host shows them side by side. To get started, follow these steps.

  1. Go to the Hermes Workspace and Hermes Web UI GitHub pages.
  2. Download or install the latest version of each.
  3. Open the interface in your browser.
  4. Connect each to your Hermes agent instance.
  5. Test the connection with a simple message like "Are you working?"

If you hit a connection error, paste the error into the chat and ask the agent to fix it. The host did this, and it worked. For free usage, run Hermes with Nous Portal and set up StepFun 3.5 Flash.

04Using Hermes Web UI vs Workspace in Practice

In the episode, the host messaged both interfaces with "Are you working?" to test them. Web UI replied quickly, but sometimes showed an authentication error even though it worked. Workspace had more issues, often needing a fix.

With Workspace, you can use the swarms feature to create a team. For example, the host built a 50-page website with a swarm. You can also use the Kanban board to add tasks and assign them to agents.

The conductor lets you launch missions for all agents.

Web UI is limited to chatting with one profile at a time. It's less customizable but more stable. If you prefer a terminal, Web UI has one.

Both have a spaces section for managing files, but Workspace makes it easier to edit and move files.

05Results and Comparisons from the Episode

The host tested both side by side. Web UI connected almost perfectly every time. Workspace was buggy, with duplicated links and sync issues.

The host had to paste errors to fix Workspace.

For advanced tasks, Workspace's swarm feature is powerful. The host used it to build a full 50-page website. Web UI lacks swarm, so you can't run multiple agents at once.

For simple, reliable use, Web UI wins.

The host also noted that Workspace's latest version showed configuration quirks. He often uses Claude or Hermes to fix issues. Overall, the choice depends on your needs.

06Tips, Limits, and Mistakes to Avoid

Be ready for bugs in Workspace, especially during setup. The host recommends using AI like Claude to fix errors. Don't expect perfect reliability from Workspace; it's more experimental.

Web UI's simplicity is a plus, but it lacks advanced features. If you need swarms, Kanban, or the game, go with Workspace. If you want a clean setup, pick Web UI.

  • Test both before committing.
  • Use Nous Portal StepFun 3.5 Flash for free use.
  • For local models, you need a good setup: at least 32GB RAM and a GPU.
  • You can use API if you lack hardware.
  • Don't force Windows; the host prefers Mac Studio or Mac Mini.

Always verify connections with a test message to catch issues early.

07Who Should Use Which Interface

If you want a simple, reliable interface for one-on-one chats with your agent, choose Hermes Web UI. It's ideal for beginners or those who prefer a no-fuss setup. It connects almost perfectly every time.

If you want to run a team of agents, pick Hermes Workspace. It's for advanced users who need swarms, Kanban, and missions. The host noted that Workspace is the only way to run a full agent team besides Ruffalo with Claude.

Your choice impacts what your agent can do. For most users, Web UI is enough. For power users, Workspace unlocks more potential.