01What is Hermes web UI and how it works

Hermes web UI is a free open-source project that lets you use Hermes agent from a web browser or your phone. Instead of typing commands in a terminal, you get a visual interface that feels like a chat app or a dashboard.

Hermes agent is the harness that holds your AI model and makes it more useful. It forms prompts and communicates with the model in a way that gets better results. The web UI acts as the front-end, so you can interact with Hermes without touching the terminal.

You still need an AI model behind it, like GPT-5.5 or a free API from OpenRouter. The UI just makes it easier to control and watch your agent work.

02Key features of Hermes web UI and workspace

Hermes web UI comes with several useful features that make working with your agent easier.

  • Kanban board: assign tasks to your agent and watch it implement them automatically.
  • Profiles: run multiple Hermes agent profiles and switch between them.
  • Skills and memory spaces: store local files and custom skills for your agent.
  • Desktop app: Hermes with Mac turns the web UI into a native desktop application.
  • Terminal UI plugin: a new style of terminal dashboard with tabs for sessions, context, agents, analytics, and chat.
  • Command palette: press Command+K to switch profiles and access commands.

These features aim to make Hermes feel less like coding and more like using a product.

03How to set up Hermes web UI step by step

Setting up Hermes web UI is straightforward, especially if you already have Hermes agent installed.

  1. Open your terminal and run Hermes agent.
  2. Ask Hermes to install Hermes web UI for you, or paste the GitHub link and say "get this working."
  3. Wait for the installation to finish. If something breaks, tell Hermes to fix it.
  4. Make sure you have an API key. Use your ChatGPT subscription, a free API from OpenRouter, or a local model.
  5. Run Hermes setup in the terminal to change your API key or model settings.
  6. Start Hermes web UI in your browser or install the desktop app from the official source.

If you run into API errors, create a new API key and paste it into Hermes to resolve the issue.

04How to use Hermes web UI with Kanban and desktop

Once set up, you can start using the web UI to manage your agent visually.

In the workspace, go to the Kanban board. Create a new task like "create an SEO calculator" and assign it to your agent. The agent will go off and implement the task on its own.

You can also assign tasks to specific profiles or people.

For a desktop experience, download the Hermes with Mac app. This gives you the same web UI but as a native application. You can paste in a prompt like "create a beautiful website for the AI profit boardroom community" and watch the agent build it locally.

If you prefer a chat-style interface, the Hermes workspace looks and feels like ChatGPT. You can just start chatting and your agent will respond and act.

05Results and comparisons from the episode

Julian tested several interfaces side by side. He found the desktop app and web UI far nicer than the terminal. He said the difference is "crazy."

He compared Hermes with Claude Code. He noted that Claude Code has a nicer UI and is more reliable because Claude is a big company. Hermes is more customizable because it is open source, but less stable.

Claude Code's API is the most powerful he has used, while Hermes is limited to the API you configure.

He also compared Hermes to OpenClaw. He found Hermes smoother, more reliable, and easier to train. He rarely uses OpenClaw now, preferring older versions.

When asked which web UI he would pick, Julian said Hermes workspace is his favorite because it looks like ChatGPT and is easy to use.

06Tips, limits, and mistakes to avoid with Hermes web UI

Managing APIs is one of the biggest challenges with Hermes. If you switch model providers, it can change the config and break other things. To fix issues, copy the error from the terminal and paste it into Hermes with a request to fix it.

Be careful about giving Hermes access to personal details. Only share what you are comfortable with, especially when asking it to fill in forms.

If the agent seems slow or starts performing poorly, the model you are using might be the problem. Try a different model or API.

For terminal UI, you can change the color theme by typing /keys or using the command palette. This can make the interface more enjoyable.

If you are a beginner, consider creating a fresh user on your PC before installing. This avoids conflicts with existing settings.

Configuring swarms can be tricky. Julian spent 20 minutes with Claude just to set it up. Use Hermes itself to write configs, which saves time.

07Who should use Hermes web UI and why it matters

Hermes web UI is for anyone who wants to use an AI agent without living in the terminal. It is perfect for people who find command-line interfaces uncomfortable or confusing.

It is free and open source, so you do not need to pay for the harness itself. You can pair it with a free API or local model to keep costs at zero.

Julian emphasizes that Hermes gets better the more you use it. The tool is designed to improve performance over time, which makes it valuable for long-term automation projects.

Whether you are creating blogs, building websites, or automating tasks, the web UI makes it easier to see what your agent is doing and guide it visually. It also works on your phone, so you can manage agents on the go.