https://github.com/JackTheGit/hermes-autonomous-server
Run Hermes Agent autonomously on your Linux server using systemd and native cron scheduler. Production-ready, headless setup with Nous Portal integration.
https://github.com/JackTheGit/hermes-autonomous-server
ai-automation ai-server claude cron dedicated-server headless hermes hermes-agent linux nous nous-research self-hosted server-automation systemd vps
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Run Hermes Agent autonomously on your Linux server using systemd and native cron scheduler. Production-ready, headless setup with Nous Portal integration.
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/JackTheGit/hermes-autonomous-server
- Owner: JackTheGit
- Created: 2026-03-01T13:40:55.000Z (4 months ago)
- Default Branch: main
- Last Pushed: 2026-03-01T14:06:51.000Z (4 months ago)
- Last Synced: 2026-03-16T04:57:36.704Z (3 months ago)
- Topics: ai-automation, ai-server, claude, cron, dedicated-server, headless, hermes, hermes-agent, linux, nous, nous-research, self-hosted, server-automation, systemd, vps
- Homepage:
- Size: 3.91 KB
- Stars: 1
- Watchers: 0
- Forks: 0
- Open Issues: 0
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
Awesome Lists containing this project
- awesome-hermes - hermes-autonomous-server - style deployment. (Deployment and Operations / Plugins and add-ons)
- awesome-hermes-agent - experimental
- awesome-hermes-agent - hermes-autonomous-server
README
# 🚀 Hermes Agent – Autonomous Linux Server Setup
A clean, reboot-safe, headless deployment guide for Hermes Agent.
Run **Hermes Agent** autonomously on your own dedicated Linux server using the native Hermes scheduler and systemd gateway service.
No shell loops.
No fragile TTY hacks.
No third-party hosting required.
Clean, production-ready architecture.
---
# 📌 Overview
This guide shows how to:
* Install Hermes Agent
* Authenticate with Nous Portal
* Create recurring AI cron jobs
* Run Hermes Gateway as a system service
* Ensure full headless operation
* Survive reboots automatically
Once configured, Hermes runs fully autonomous.
---
# 🧩 What This Is Not
- Not an official Hermes project
- Not affiliated with Nous Research
- Not a hosted service
This is a deployment guide for running Hermes autonomously on your own infrastructure.
---
# 🔑 Requirements
You need an active **Nous Portal subscription**:
👉 [https://portal.nousresearch.com/billing](https://portal.nousresearch.com/billing)
Hermes uses Nous Portal for model access.
Without an active subscription or API credits:
* Cron jobs will not execute
* Gateway will run but no tasks will fire
> 💡 At the time of writing, the basic subscription may be activated using the promotional code `HERMESAGENT` (availability subject to change).
> Check the billing page for current eligibility.
---
# 🖥 Supported Environment
* Ubuntu / Debian (tested)
* Dedicated server or VPS
* systemd available
* Non-root user recommended
---
# 📦 Installation
## 1️⃣ Create a Dedicated User
```bash
sudo adduser hermes
sudo usermod -aG sudo hermes
su - hermes
```
---
## 2️⃣ Install Hermes Agent
```bash
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/main/scripts/install.sh | bash
```
Verify installation:
```bash
which hermes
```
Expected:
```
/home/hermes/.local/bin/hermes
```
---
## 3️⃣ Authenticate with Nous Portal
```bash
hermes login
```
Complete browser authentication.
Verify:
```bash
hermes status
```
You should see:
```
Nous Portal ✓ logged in
```
---
# ⏰ Create Autonomous Cron Job
Start Hermes:
```bash
hermes chat
```
Inside the interactive shell:
```
Create a cronjob that runs every 10 minutes.
The task should:
Write a short reflective paragraph about technology trends.
Limit response to 180 words.
```
Hermes will return a job ID.
Exit Hermes:
```
Ctrl + C
```
---
# ⚙ Enable Hermes Gateway (System-Level Service)
Some VPS environments do not support `systemctl --user`.
Use a system-level service instead.
Create service file:
```bash
sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/hermes-gateway.service
```
Paste:
```ini
[Unit]
Description=Hermes Gateway Service
After=network.target
[Service]
User=hermes
WorkingDirectory=/home/hermes
ExecStart=/home/hermes/.local/bin/hermes gateway
Restart=always
RestartSec=10
Environment=PATH=/home/hermes/.local/bin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin:/bin
[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target
```
Enable and start:
```bash
sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl enable hermes-gateway
sudo systemctl start hermes-gateway
```
---
# ✅ Verify Everything
Check gateway:
```bash
sudo systemctl status hermes-gateway
```
Check scheduler:
```bash
hermes cron status
```
Expected:
```
✓ Gateway is running — cron jobs will fire automatically
```
---
# 🏗 Architecture
```
Systemd (system service)
↓
Hermes Gateway
↓
Hermes Cron Scheduler
↓
Claude Model (Nous Portal)
↓
Local Output Files
```
---
# 💰 Cost Considerations
Example configuration:
* 10-minute interval
* ~180-word responses
Estimated usage:
~4,320 runs/month
Typically ~$8–12/month depending on model and output size.
To adjust frequency:
```
Update cronjob to run every 15 minutes.
```
---
# 📊 Monitoring
Gateway logs:
```bash
journalctl -u hermes-gateway -f
```
Cron jobs:
```bash
hermes cron list
```
Gateway status:
```bash
hermes cron status
```
---
# 🔄 Reboot Safety
This setup:
* Auto-starts on reboot
* Does not require open SSH session
* Runs fully headless
* Automatically restarts if gateway crashes
---
# 🧼 Uninstall
```bash
sudo systemctl stop hermes-gateway
sudo systemctl disable hermes-gateway
hermes uninstall
```
---
# 🎯 Why This Approach?
✔ Uses native Hermes scheduler
✔ Avoids shell-based infinite loops
✔ Avoids TTY emulation hacks
✔ Clean systemd integration
✔ Minimal operational complexity
✔ Fully self-hosted
---
# ⚠ Important Notes
* Nous Portal subscription required:
[https://portal.nousresearch.com/billing](https://portal.nousresearch.com/billing)
* Cron jobs require the gateway to be running
* API credits are consumed per execution
* Monitor billing regularly
---
# 🔒 Security Considerations
- Do not expose your server publicly without firewall rules.
- Avoid running Hermes as root.
- Monitor API usage regularly.
- Keep your server updated.
This guide assumes a trusted VPS or dedicated environment.
---
## Disclaimer
This repository is an independent deployment guide and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Nous Research.