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CLI Commands Reference

Terminal Commands

These are commands you run from your shell.

Core Commands

CommandDescription
hermesStart interactive chat (default)
hermes chat -q "Hello"Single query mode (non-interactive)
hermes chat --continue / -cResume the most recent session
hermes chat --resume <id> / -r <id>Resume a specific session
hermes chat --model <name>Use a specific model
hermes chat --provider <name>Force a provider (nous, openrouter)
hermes chat --toolsets "web,terminal" / -tUse specific toolsets
hermes chat --verboseEnable verbose/debug output

Provider & Model Management

CommandDescription
hermes modelSwitch provider and model interactively
hermes loginOAuth login to a provider (use --provider to specify)
hermes logoutClear provider authentication

Configuration

CommandDescription
hermes setupFull setup wizard (provider, terminal, messaging)
hermes configView current configuration
hermes config editOpen config.yaml in your editor
hermes config set KEY VALSet a specific value
hermes config checkCheck for missing config (useful after updates)
hermes config migrateInteractively add missing options
hermes toolsInteractive tool configuration per platform
hermes statusShow configuration status (including auth)
hermes doctorDiagnose issues

Maintenance

CommandDescription
hermes updateUpdate to latest version
hermes uninstallUninstall (can keep configs for later reinstall)
hermes versionShow version info

Gateway (Messaging + Cron)

CommandDescription
hermes gatewayRun gateway in foreground
hermes gateway setupConfigure messaging platforms interactively
hermes gateway installInstall as system service (Linux/macOS)
hermes gateway startStart the service
hermes gateway stopStop the service
hermes gateway restartRestart the service
hermes gateway statusCheck service status
hermes gateway uninstallUninstall the system service
hermes whatsappPair WhatsApp via QR code

Skills

CommandDescription
hermes skills search <query>Search skill registries
hermes skills install <identifier>Install a skill (with security scan)
hermes skills inspect <identifier>Preview before installing
hermes skills listList installed skills
hermes skills list --source hubList hub-installed skills only
hermes skills auditRe-scan all hub skills
hermes skills uninstall <name>Remove a hub skill
hermes skills publish <path> --to github --repo owner/repoPublish a skill
hermes skills snapshot export <file>Export skill config
hermes skills snapshot import <file>Import from snapshot
hermes skills tap add <repo>Add a custom source
hermes skills tap remove <repo>Remove a source
hermes skills tap listList custom sources

Cron & Pairing

CommandDescription
hermes cron listView scheduled jobs
hermes cron statusCheck if cron scheduler is running
hermes cron tickManually trigger a cron tick
hermes pairing listView pending + approved users
hermes pairing approve <platform> <code>Approve a pairing code
hermes pairing revoke <platform> <user_id>Remove user access
hermes pairing clear-pendingClear all pending pairing requests

Sessions

CommandDescription
hermes sessions listBrowse past sessions
hermes sessions export <id>Export a session
hermes sessions delete <id>Delete a specific session
hermes sessions pruneRemove old sessions
hermes sessions statsShow session statistics

Slash Commands (Inside Chat)

Type / in the interactive CLI to see an autocomplete dropdown.

CommandDescription
/helpShow available commands
/quitExit the CLI (aliases: /exit, /q)
/clearClear screen and reset conversation
/newStart a new conversation
/resetReset conversation only (keep screen)

Tools & Configuration

CommandDescription
/toolsList all available tools
/toolsetsList available toolsets
/model [name]Show or change the current model
/configShow current configuration
/prompt [text]View/set custom system prompt
/personality [name]Set a predefined personality

Conversation

CommandDescription
/historyShow conversation history
/retryRetry the last message
/undoRemove the last user/assistant exchange
/saveSave the current conversation
/compressManually compress conversation context
/usageShow token usage for this session

Skills & Scheduling

CommandDescription
/cronManage scheduled tasks
/skillsSearch, install, inspect, or manage skills
/platformsShow gateway/messaging platform status
/verboseCycle tool progress: off → new → all → verbose
/<skill-name>Invoke any installed skill

Gateway-Only Commands

These work in messaging platforms (Telegram, Discord, Slack, WhatsApp) but not the interactive CLI:

CommandDescription
/stopStop the running agent (no follow-up message)
/sethomeSet this chat as the home channel
/statusShow session info
/reload-mcpReload MCP servers from config
/updateUpdate Hermes Agent to the latest version

Keybindings

KeyAction
EnterSend message
Alt+Enter / Ctrl+JNew line (multi-line input)
Ctrl+CInterrupt agent (double-press to force exit)
Ctrl+DExit
TabAutocomplete slash commands
tip

Commands are case-insensitive — /HELP works the same as /help.