How to Integrate Hermes Agents with Grok | Using AI Agents with OpenCrow and OpenCode

Hello everyone.
This is Wonder Sato from AI Co-creation Innovation.

In this article, I will explain how to integrate Hermes agents with Grok.

You can integrate not only Hermes but also OpenCrow and OpenCode in the same way. Therefore, in this article, I will focus specifically on Hermes while also organizing the concepts for combining AI agents with external AI models.

Hermes is a very interesting option for those who want to use an AI agent that grows on its own.

On the other hand, it is not necessarily needed by everyone. There are situations where using Grok alone is easier to understand, and if you are someone who can design your own learning files and skills, you might not need to use Hermes at all.

Let's take a look at how to distinguish between these use cases in order.

[Related Video]

👇 The entire log of the implementation process is available in the video, so please check it out while you follow along!

What is a Hermes agent?

First, what is Hermes?
Simply put, it is an open-source AI agent that grows the more you use it.

Its main features include the following:

• Can be given memory

• Can accumulate learning content

• Can handle skills autonomously

• Easy to run autonomously for long periods

• Can be extended by combining with AI models

An AI agent is a mechanism that does more than just answer in a chat; it executes tasks, reads files, and acts according to conditions.

In the case of Hermes, the element of "growing" is added to that.

In other words, instead of starting a conversation from scratch every time, you can leverage past learning and settings to bring it closer to the agent you prefer.

This is the interesting part.

Some people are good at creating detailed skills and managing learning files themselves. On the other hand, many people likely feel that designing to that extent is a hassle.

For those people, Hermes becomes an easy-to-use presence as an "AI agent that you can entrust with development to a certain extent."

What can you do by integrating Hermes and Grok?

The theme this time is the integration of Hermes and Grok.

Grok is known as an AI model that has strong compatibility with X. Therefore, by incorporating Grok into Hermes, you can use it in a way that combines the execution power of an AI agent with Grok's information retrieval and reasoning capabilities.

The main use cases are as follows.

1. Entrusting reasoning and conversation to Grok

First, there is normal conversation and reasoning.

It is the image of using Grok as the internal thinking engine while running Hermes as an agent.

You can use Grok's reasoning power when you want an AI agent to think about something, look something up, or decide on the next action.

2. Good compatibility with X search

Personally, the biggest point is the compatibility with X search.

Since Grok is a model that is easily connected to X, it is quite convenient when you want to look up information on X.

When dealing with breaking news, reactions on social media, or the latest trends, Grok is quite strong on its own, and by combining it with Hermes, you can also expand it to agent operations.

However, some caution is needed here.

Looking only at "ease of viewing information" or "clarity of output," there are situations where using Grok alone is easier to use. This is because you may get the impression that the output becomes a bit rough by interposing Hermes.

This is an important point.
The merit of using Hermes lies not in maximizing Grok's capabilities as they are, but in being able to operate an agent that grows while using Grok.

3. Can also be connected to image generation, audio, and autonomous operation

In integration with Grok, usage methods such as image generation, audio, and autonomous operation are also candidates.

However, how much you actually use it depends on the person.

If your goal is daily information gathering and AI agent management, it is realistic to start by trying it out with conversation, search, and reasoning.

Differences between using Grok alone and Hermes + Grok

Here, I will summarize the differences between using Grok on its own and integrating Grok into Hermes.

Cases where using Grok alone is suitable

Grok on its own is simple and easy to use.

In particular, Grok alone is better suited for the following purposes:

• Wanting to see the latest information quickly

• Wanting to check information from X in an easy-to-understand way

• Wanting to look things up quickly through conversation

• Prioritizing ease of reading in the output

• Not needing to train an agent

In other words, if you prioritize speed and clarity, there are many situations where using Grok alone will feel more comfortable.

Cases where Hermes + Grok is suitable

On the other hand, Hermes + Grok is suitable when prioritizing autonomous operation and self-growth.

For example, it is for people like the following:

• Wanting to raise an AI agent

• Wanting to utilize memory and learning

• Wanting to automate skill management

• Wanting to operate an agent for long periods

• Finding it troublesome to design everything in detail yourself

By incorporating Hermes, you can operate it not just as Grok alone, but as a "growing AI agent."

However, in exchange for gaining something, something else may be slightly sacrificed. In this case, the lightness and readability of Grok on its own and the self-growth capability of Hermes can sometimes be a trade-off.

Knowing how to use them differently is important.

Who is Hermes for and who is it not for?

So, who is Hermes suitable for?

Who Hermes is suitable for

Hermes is suitable for those who are not good at designing the development of AI agents in detail themselves.

For example, people like this:

• Those who don't really know how to create skills

• Those who find it difficult to articulate what should be memorized

• Those who find managing learning files troublesome

• Those who want their agents to grow autonomously

• Those who want to delegate loop processing or long-term operations

To raise an AI agent, you need to think about learning content, memory, skills, rules, file structures, and so on.

For those who like this, it is a fun task. But for those who don't, it is quite troublesome, isn't it?

In such cases, a mechanism like Hermes that 'grows automatically to some extent' is convenient.

People who don't need to use Hermes

Conversely, there are also people who don't need to use Hermes.

For example, people who can design their own learning files.

In the video, a mechanism was introduced for having an AI agent learn on its own using files like Learning.md.

With this method, instead of letting the AI learn completely autonomously on its own, you can have it make proposals before learning, and then reflect them after a human has confirmed them.

This is quite important.

This is because if you let an AI agent memorize everything, it could become noise later on.

Memory is convenient for AI, but if too much unnecessary memory accumulates, it can interfere with decision-making. The same applies to skills. If they increase too much, the amount of information loaded each time increases, consuming tokens and potentially causing inconsistent judgment.

Therefore, for those who want to cultivate an agent for a specific purpose or manage learning content themselves, a self-built system might be sufficient.

In summary, it looks like this.

• People who want it to grow on its own → Hermes is suitable

• People who want to cultivate it according to their own philosophy → Self-managed systems are suitable

• People who want to quickly check the latest information → Using Grok alone is suitable

Steps to Integrate Hermes and Grok

From here on, I will explain the installation process.

The basic approach for installing OpenCrow and OpenCode is similar. You install them via the terminal, check the options provided along the way, and connect to the necessary models or services.

For beginners, I recommend asking ChatGPT as you proceed.

Step 1: First, ask ChatGPT how to install it

First, have ChatGPT research Hermes or ask it how to install it.

For example, you can ask like this.

HermesエージェントをGrokと連携して使いたいです。
導入コマンドと手順を教えてください。

To be more specific, you can ask like this.

XでGrokのサブスクに課金しています。
APIではなく、サブスク側のGrokをHermesで使いたいです。
導入手順を教えてください。

Writing it this way makes it easier to distinguish between API usage and X subscription usage.

Step 2: Enter the installation command into the terminal

Next, paste the command provided into the terminal.

You may see a lot of English messages appear here.

If you are a beginner, you might feel anxious at this point.

But don't worry.
If an unfamiliar message appears, take a screenshot of the screen and show it to ChatGPT; it will provide you with plenty of guidance.

If a prompt like Y/n appears, it is asking you to choose Yes or No.

However, you shouldn't just say Yes to everything. If you don't understand the content, it is safer to share a screenshot or copy the text to ChatGPT and confirm it before proceeding.

Step 3: Proceed with Quick Setup

You may be asked whether to use Quick Setup or Full Setup along the way.

Generally, Quick Setup is sufficient to start.

Trying to configure every detail from the beginning makes it easy to get stuck. First, get it running. Then, adjust as needed. This is the best order to follow.

Step 4: Don't mistake the Grok connection destination

During installation, a screen may appear where you select the AI model or connection destination to use.

What you need to be careful about here is the difference between the API version and the subscription version.

If you are paying for a Grok subscription on X and want to use it through that subscription, you must select the xAI Grok option, not the API option.

If you accidentally select the API side, the connection might not be what you intended.

Again, if you are unsure, it is perfectly fine to ask ChatGPT as you go.

Step 5: Grant permission on the authentication screen

When connecting to Grok, an authentication screen may appear.

If you follow the screen and grant permission, a message indicating that the connection was successful will appear.

With this, you are ready to use Grok from Hermes.

Step 6: Launch Hermes

If you don't know the launch command, you can ask ChatGPT and it will tell you.

Basically, the process involves launching it by entering a command like the following in the terminal.

hermes

Once launched, the Hermes screen will appear.

The UI has a great atmosphere, and it is impressive to see the Hermes staff-like design displayed.

After that, if you select the Grok model, you will be able to use Grok on Hermes.

Step 7: Start by proceeding with local/skip options

Along the way, there will be a point where you are asked whether to proceed locally or perform additional settings.

It is fine to proceed locally or skip unnecessary items at first.

The important thing is not to try to create a perfect environment from the start.

First, launch it. Next, connect to Grok. After that, try out the necessary features little by little.

This order is the easiest to understand.

You can change Hermes' personality by editing Soul.md

An interesting aspect of using Hermes is the file that defines its personality and way of speaking.

In the video, it was introduced that you can define the personality and speaking style of the Hermes agent in a file like Soul.md.

For example, imagine inserting instructions like the following.

話し方に個性を持たせてください。
語尾や表現に特徴を出してください。
顔文字を自然に使ってください。

Then, those settings will be reflected in Hermes' responses.

In other words, Soul.md is like a personality configuration file for the agent.

By editing this, you can change how Hermes speaks and behaves.

This kind of mechanism is a very interesting point for customizing AI agents to your liking.

Can it also be used for coding purposes?

Hermes + Grok can also be used for coding purposes.

In the video, there was a scene where they had it create something like a browser-based game and verified its operation.

Behavior such as bullets exploding upon hitting an enemy was added, confirming that it is indeed evolving properly.

However, how much to use Grok for coding is still something to be determined through trial and error.

There are other strong options for coding, such as Claude, Codex, and Gemini CLI. Therefore, while adding Grok to Hermes increases your options, it is not always the optimal choice.

It seems best to use them selectively depending on the purpose.

Should you use Hermes? Conclusion

Finally, here is the conclusion for this time.

Hermes is suitable for those who want an AI agent that grows on its own.

It is especially recommended for the following people:

• Those who want to automate the training of AI agents

• Those who do not want to think much about managing learning or memory

• Those who are not good at creating skills

• Those who want to use an agent that operates autonomously for long periods

• Those who want to try using Grok within an agent

On the other hand, I think the following people do not necessarily need to use Hermes:

• Those who are satisfied using Grok on its own

• Those who want to manage Learning.md and skills themselves

• Those who want to avoid unnecessary learning

• Those who want to control the philosophy and design of the agent themselves

• Those who prioritize breaking news or ease of viewing

If I had to summarize this in one sentence, it would be this.

If you want it to grow on its own, use Hermes. If you want to raise it with your own philosophy, build it yourself. If you want to see the latest information in an easy-to-understand way, use Grok on its own.

Once you can distinguish between these use cases, managing AI agents becomes much easier.

Tools like Hermes, OpenCrow, and OpenCode are options for moving from the stage of simply using AI to the stage of integrating it into your own work environment.

However, this is not about simply increasing the number of tools you use.

What matters is what you want to automate.
What you want the AI to learn.
How much autonomy you want it to have.

If you decide these things before implementing them, both Hermes and Grok should become much easier to use.

[Profile]

Wonder Motohiko Sato
Born in 1977
Organizer of MBBS & AI Co-Creation Innovation.
After working at medical and psychology research institutes, he became independent and is currently researching generative AI (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, etc.) and the mind-body connection.
Author of "Easy Prompts" (Geijutsu Shimbunsha) and "Oriental Medicine and Potential Movement Systems" (Taniguchi Shoten). He is currently developing AI co-creation writing while working on writing projects such as a two-year series in a professional journal and academic papers.
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