> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Your first conversation

> Configure your LLM provider and have your first conversation with Hermes

<Steps>
  <Step title="Configure a model provider">
    Run the setup wizard to choose your inference provider:

    ```bash theme={null}
    hermes setup
    ```

    The wizard presents a list of supported providers. Use the arrow keys to select one and press **Enter**:

    | Provider            | How it works                                                                                                          |
    | ------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
    | **Nous Portal**     | OAuth login — opens your browser. Requires a Nous Research subscription.                                              |
    | **OpenRouter**      | API key. Access 100+ models from a single key. Get one at [openrouter.ai/keys](https://openrouter.ai/keys).           |
    | **OpenAI**          | API key or OAuth (Codex). Get a key at [platform.openai.com/api-keys](https://platform.openai.com/api-keys).          |
    | **Anthropic**       | API key or Claude Code subscription credentials. Get a key at [console.anthropic.com](https://console.anthropic.com). |
    | **Custom endpoint** | Any OpenAI-compatible API (vLLM, llama.cpp, etc.). Enter a base URL and optional API key.                             |

    You can switch providers at any time with `hermes model` or `/model` inside a conversation.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set your API key">
    After selecting a provider, the wizard prompts you to enter your API key. Keys are saved to `~/.hermes/.env` with owner-only permissions (`0600`).

    For providers that use OAuth (Nous Portal, OpenAI Codex), the wizard opens your browser to complete login — no API key is required.

    To set or update a key later without re-running the full wizard:

    ```bash theme={null}
    hermes config set OPENROUTER_API_KEY sk-or-...
    ```

    Or edit `~/.hermes/.env` directly.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start Hermes">
    Launch the interactive terminal UI:

    ```bash theme={null}
    hermes
    ```

    You'll see the Hermes banner showing your active provider and model. Type a message and press **Enter**:

    ```
    > Write a Python function that reverses a linked list.
    ```

    Hermes responds in a streaming panel. When the agent uses tools, you see live tool output in the activity feed:

    ```
    ┊ terminal → python3 solution.py
    ┊  Running tests...
    ┊  All 5 tests passed.
    ```

    The `┊` prefix marks tool output. Each tool call — file reads, shell commands, web searches — streams as it runs so you always know what the agent is doing.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Use slash commands">
    Type `/` at the prompt to see autocomplete suggestions. Key commands:

    | Command                   | What it does                                                                  |
    | ------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
    | `/new`                    | Start a fresh conversation (clears context)                                   |
    | `/model [provider:model]` | Switch model mid-conversation, e.g. `/model openrouter:google/gemini-2.5-pro` |
    | `/help`                   | Show all available slash commands with descriptions                           |
    | `/quit`                   | Exit Hermes                                                                   |
    | `/compress`               | Summarize the current context to free up token budget                         |
    | `/usage`                  | Show token usage and estimated cost for the current session                   |
    | `/retry`                  | Re-send the last message (useful after an error or interruption)              |
    | `/skills`                 | Browse and install skills from the Skills Hub                                 |

    <Tip>
      Run `/help` at any time to see the full list of commands, organized by category. Commands that are only available in the CLI or only in messaging platforms are labeled accordingly.
    </Tip>

    To interrupt the agent mid-task, press **Ctrl+C**. You can send a follow-up message to redirect it without losing context.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## What Hermes remembers

Hermes maintains persistent memory across sessions:

* **MEMORY.md** — a curated, bounded list of facts the agent has learned about your preferences, projects, and working style.
* **USER.md** — a user profile the agent builds over time (goals, communication style, frequently used tools).

Both files live in `~/.hermes/` and are injected into the system prompt on every session. The agent updates them autonomously — you can also edit them directly.

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="CLI Reference" href="/reference/cli-commands">
    All `hermes` subcommands and flags.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Configuration" href="/user-guide/configuration">
    Customize the model, toolsets, terminal backend, and display.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Tools & Toolsets" href="/user-guide/features/tools">
    40+ built-in tools and how to enable or disable them.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Messaging Gateway" href="/user-guide/messaging">
    Connect Hermes to Telegram, Discord, Slack, WhatsApp, and more.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>