01What Is N2 Pro? A Free Open-Source AI Model

N2 Pro is a free, open-source Chinese AI model that you can use locally or via a free API. It beats paid models like Claude Opus 4.7 and GPT 5.5 on key benchmarks like SWE Bench. The model has a 260K token context window and is built for coding, tool calling, and agentic tasks.

You can download the open weights on Hugging Face or access it through Open Router at no cost. It is based on Qwen 3.5 architecture and is designed to work with AI agents like Hermes Agent and Claude Code. N2 Pro is already outperforming older free models like DeepSeek V4 Pro.

02Main Features of N2 Pro: Benchmarks and Capabilities

  • Benchmark superiority: N2 Pro scores higher than Claude Opus 4.7 and GPT 5.5 on SWE Bench, a test for coding tasks. It also beats DeepSeek V4 Pro, a paid API.
  • Agentic design: The model is optimized for AI agents, with strong tool calling and function calling abilities. You can use it with agents like Hermes Agent, Claude Code, and Pi.
  • 260K token context window: This large context allows handling big codebases or long conversations in one go.
  • Two versions: N2 Pro is powerful but slower; N2 Mini is faster with slightly lower performance.
  • Deep search and reasoning: N2 Pro can perform deep research, act as a terminal agent, and handle math reasoning tasks.
  • Free and open source: No cost to use on API or locally. Open weights available on Hugging Face.

03How to Set Up N2 Pro Step by Step

  1. Get access to N2 Pro via Open Router at no cost. Go to the Open Router website and find N2 Pro in the model list.
  2. Alternatively, download the open weights from Hugging Face if you want to run the model locally. You need a good computer setup for local use.
  3. Open your AI agent platform. In Hermes Agent, go to Manage, then Models in your Dashboard.
  4. Change the model setting to Open Router and select N2 Pro from the dropdown.
  5. Create a new profile inside Hermes Agent specifically for N2 Pro. This lets you assign the model to a separate agent.
  6. Save the profile and start chatting with your AI agent immediately. You can also plug N2 Pro into Claude Code using the open-source Free Claude Code project.

04How to Use N2 Pro for Coding and Agent Tasks

In the episode, Julian Goldie walked through using N2 Pro inside Hermes Agent. He created a separate profile for the model and selected it in the chat interface. Then he asked the agent to build a to-do list app, which N2 Pro created with cool animations.

You can also control N2 Pro with your voice and tell it to build something. Julian demonstrated using N2 Pro with Claude Code through the Free Claude Code project. This lets you build apps for free without paying for Claude's API.

To use N2 Pro with Pi, another AI agent, simply set it as the model in Pi's settings. The model handles tool calling and function calling well, making it ideal for agentic workflows like deep research or terminal commands.

05Results and Comparisons: N2 Pro vs Paid Models

Julian compared N2 Pro side by side with Gemma 4, another free model. In Hermes Agent, N2 Pro replied faster than Gemma 4 by a noticeable margin. He also noted that N2 Pro outperforms paid APIs like Claude Opus 4.7, GPT 5.5, and DeepSeek V4 Pro on benchmarks like SWE Bench.

Using two different profiles in Hermes Agent, Julian tested N2 Pro and Gemma 4 simultaneously. N2 Pro responded quicker and scored higher. For local use, if you have a powerful setup, N2 Pro runs faster than cloud-based free models.

N2 Mini, the smaller version, is faster but less powerful. The episode showed that even N2 Mini is decent for quick tasks. N2 Pro is the recommended choice for heavy coding and agent work.

06Tips, Limits and Mistakes to Avoid with N2 Pro

  • Local setup needs good hardware: To run N2 Pro locally, you need a powerful computer. If your setup is weak, stick to the free API version on Open Router.
  • N2 Pro is slower than N2 Mini: For tasks that need quick replies, use N2 Mini. For complex coding, choose N2 Pro.
  • Check your agent profile settings: Make sure you select Open Router and the correct model name. A wrong setting may use a different model.
  • Free API has daily token limits: Although N2 Pro is free on Open Router, there may be rate limits. Keep an eye on token usage if you run many tasks.
  • Don't expect it to beat all models on every test: N2 Pro wins on SWE Bench but may not top every benchmark. Test it for your specific use case.

07Who Should Use N2 Pro and Why It Matters

N2 Pro is for developers, AI enthusiasts, and anyone building AI agents on a budget. Since it is free and open source, you can experiment with powerful agentic models without paying for APIs. Julian Goldie uses it inside Hermes Agent and Claude Code to build real apps like to-do lists and animations.

This model matters because it shows that open-source Chinese AI is catching up to and even beating paid Western models. You get cutting-edge performance at zero cost. If you want to build agent systems, code with AI, or do deep research, N2 Pro is a strong free choice.

The episode also highlights how easy it is to integrate with popular agent platforms. You can start using N2 Pro in minutes and save money on API bills while getting top-tier results.