Run Hermes long term
This path is for a user who wants Hermes to become a maintained environment instead of a one-time experiment.
For stable long-term use, choose either server + Docker-oriented operations or a dedicated Mac mini. Pick server + Docker when repeatability, isolation, and remote operations matter; pick Mac mini when the workflow is local-first and you can guarantee power, network, remote access, updates, and backups.
Machine advice
Prefer 4 vCPU / 8GB+ as a practical floor for a server. For Mac mini, use a dedicated machine with stable power, network, remote access, backup, and log rotation.
Editorial boundary
Official Hermes sources cover installation, configuration, security, updating, tools, and messaging. The server + Docker or dedicated Mac mini split is Hermes Agent Hub editorial guidance for long-term operations.
Do not start with commands
- Choose server + Docker when repeatability, isolation, and remote maintenance matter most.
- Choose a dedicated Mac mini when the workflow is local-first and you can guarantee power, network, remote access, updates, and backups.
- Do not call the setup stable until restart behavior, logs, updates, backups, and access control are documented.
Server + Docker or dedicated Mac mini
Best long-term path once the user knows Hermes is worth keeping online.
Recommended baseline
V1 editorial recommendation: server + Docker-oriented operations for repeatability and isolation, or a dedicated Mac mini when local-first workflows and reliable operations are more important.
Minimum for testing
Stable use requires more than a successful install: choose a backend strategy, approval mode, update workflow, log/restart access, and backup or rollback point.
Strengths
- More repeatable maintenance
- Can support real workflows
- Clearer upgrade path
Risks
- Requires monitoring and backup discipline
- Not ideal before a first successful test
Operational notes
- Define restart behavior before calling the setup stable.
- Keep backup, rollback, and log locations visible to the user.
Best for
- Users ready to keep Hermes running beyond a short test
- Users who need repeatable maintenance and backups
- Users who want to connect Hermes to real personal or content workflows
Not for
- Users who have not yet completed a basic test run
- Users who cannot monitor uptime, logs, cost, and backups
- Users who want a zero-maintenance setup
Setup flow
- Pick the long-term host model: server + Docker or dedicated Mac mini.
- Define approval mode, terminal backend, access control, and credential handling.
- Write update, backup, and restart procedures before real workloads begin.
- Run one real use case and verify recovery after a restart.
AI handoff checklist
- Ask AI to produce an operations runbook, not only install commands.
- Ask AI to identify which assumptions come from official sources and which are local policy.
- Ask AI to define a weekly review checklist for updates, logs, storage, and access.
Decision checkpoints
- Use this path only after the user confirms Hermes is worth keeping online.
- Choose server + Docker for repeatability; choose Mac mini for local-first stable workflows.
Acceptance criteria
- Restart behavior is documented.
- Backup and rollback locations are documented.
- The environment can support at least one real use case.