You can install Hermes Agent directly on Windows; WSL2 is optional. Choose the Desktop MSIX package for a graphical app-install experience, or use the PowerShell installer for a CLI-first setup. After either route, configure a provider and model before expecting a normal chat to work.
Choose a Windows installation route
| Route | Best for | Key detail |
|---|---|---|
| Desktop MSIX | A packaged graphical app and standard Windows app-install flow. | The official native Windows guide lists Windows 11 version 22H2 or later as a requirement. Open the .appinstaller file with Windows App Installer. The signed bundle includes Hermes Agent, Python, supported dependencies, and prebuilt interfaces. Source: Hermes Agent Windows (Native) Guide. |
| PowerShell source installer | A CLI-first setup or the documented source-script route. | Installs under your user profile by default, adds the launcher to your user PATH, and does not require administrator rights. Source: Hermes Agent Installation. |
| WSL2 | A POSIX environment or Linux-oriented workflow. | Optional. Native Windows and WSL installations keep separate data directories. See the native Windows guide for the Windows/WSL distinction. |
The MSIX eligibility detail applies to the Desktop package; do not assume it is a requirement for the separate native PowerShell installer. The official Windows guide is the place to check current package requirements.
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Install with PowerShell
Run the official installer command in PowerShell:
iex (irm https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/install.ps1)The installer prepares the source checkout, managed tools, launcher, and data directory. By default, Windows source code is placed at %LOCALAPPDATA%hermeshermes-agent, the CLI entry point at %LOCALAPPDATA%hermesbin, and user data at %LOCALAPPDATA%hermes. The Windows installer supports -HermesHome to customize the user-data location and -InstallDir to customize the installation location. See the official installation guide for the current installer details.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems- Run the command in PowerShell and let the installer complete.
- Close that terminal and open a new PowerShell window so it loads the updated user PATH.
- Run
hermesto launch the CLI and begin setup.
Know what the source installer adds
The source installer clones Hermes, bootstraps uv, and delegates dependency preparation to Hermes PM. PM supplies pinned Python, Node.js, npm, ripgrep, and FFmpeg versions. The installer selects the all Python extra, but that does not mean every optional extra is installed.
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Browser and computer-use tools are installed by default. To leave either out initially, use -SkipBrowser and/or -SkipComputerUse with the installer. You can add them later with:
hermes pm install agent-browser
hermes pm install cua-driverIf an optional tool download fails, the core installation may still finish; the installer can print a retry command for the failed tool. Avoid installing unrelated system packages based on generic Python setup advice: the official installer manages its pinned runtime and tool versions, and Hermes documents feature-specific dependency steps.
Configure Hermes before your first chat
Installation alone does not set up a usable model/provider connection. Once the command is available, use one of these entry points:
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hermes setupopens the full setup wizard.hermes modelconfigures a provider and model.hermes toolslets you configure enabled tools.hermes setup --portalconfigures Nous Portal and its Tool Gateway.
A practical order is to complete the base install, open a fresh terminal, run setup, configure one provider/model, and verify a normal chat. Add browser, computer-use, messaging, or other integrations only when your use case calls for them. Provider access and optional integrations may require network access. The installation documentation describes these setup commands.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Fix common Windows installation problems
hermes is not recognized
Open a new terminal first; an existing shell may not have picked up the PATH change. If the command is still missing, check whether %LOCALAPPDATA%hermesbin is on your user PATH, following the official installation guide.
An installation step fails
Check logs/install.log under the Hermes data directory. The installer reports status for individual steps and includes recent log lines after a failed step. For the default native installation, user data is under %LOCALAPPDATA%hermes.
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A dependency is missing
Run hermes doctor. The official documentation says it reports missing dependencies and how to address them; in interactive runs, a missing dependency may trigger an installation prompt.
A provider or API key error appears
Use hermes model to configure the provider, or follow the documented hermes config set flow for the relevant key. A completed Windows installation does not itself provide model access.
The Desktop command opens the wrong installation
In PowerShell, run Get-Command hermes -All to inspect all matching commands. Windows execution aliases can be managed under Settings → Apps → Advanced app settings → App execution aliases. The native Windows guide covers this Windows-specific behavior.
You installed in WSL but cannot find native settings or data
Native Windows uses %LOCALAPPDATA%hermes by default, while WSL uses ~/.hermes. Treat them as separate installations with separate data; check the environment in which you originally ran the installer.
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