Recommended Quick Setup
Use this path when you want the shortest practical route from VPS order to a usable Hermes Agent server workspace. The full checklist below expands each step and keeps the self-managed responsibilities clear.
VPS plan
Choose a plan with 3 CPU cores, 6 GB RAM, 50 GB NVMe storage, unlimited bandwidth, 1 free snapshot, IPv4 + IPv6 and full root access.
Operating system
Use an Ubuntu VPS or another Linux server supported by the Hermes Agent runtime path you choose.
Access method
Connect with SSH, use root only for bootstrap tasks, continue as a sudo-capable non-root user where practical and restrict exposed ports to the services you intentionally run.
Runtime workflow
Use the current upstream installer first, then run hermes setup, hermes model, hermes tools and hermes doctor before wrapping the gateway in a service.
Session continuity
Use tmux for interactive CLI sessions. Use the documented hermes gateway install and hermes gateway start service path only after messaging channels and access controls are configured.
Safety checkpoint
Review upstream commands, take a snapshot before major dependency changes, protect provider keys and repository credentials, test a small workflow and scale the VPS only after measuring real CPU, RAM, storage and runtime activity.
Who This Guide Is For
This page is for users who want Hermes Agent to run from a controlled VPS environment instead of relying on a local desktop session, while keeping the Hermes Agent software layer self-managed.
Operators testing persistent AI workflows
Use a VPS when workflow state, logs and runtime continuity matter.
Builders connecting messaging or tool integrations
Keep integrations, provider access, repositories and tool configuration on a server you control.
Teams that need server-side logs and scheduled tasks
Move scheduled work and troubleshooting context away from individual workstations.
Users comfortable maintaining Hermes Agent themselves
PakiWebHost provides the VPS infrastructure. You install, configure, secure, update and operate the software you run on it.
What You Need Before You Start
Before selecting a plan or installing Hermes Agent, confirm the server access, runtime path, credentials, firewall exposure and recovery routine needed for the deployment.
A Linux VPS suitable for the selected Hermes Agent installer, development clone, Docker backend or gateway path, with SSH access and root or sudo access ready.
Basic terminal knowledge, Git and the package managers required by the selected Hermes Agent installation path.
Add Docker only when using the documented container terminal backend or a deployment path that explicitly calls for containers.
Your own API keys, provider accounts, model access, repositories, runtime configuration and any channel credentials before connecting the agent.
Domain and firewall rules for exposed interfaces or webhooks, and backups or snapshots before production changes or major upgrades.
If you are still choosing infrastructure, compare the matching Hermes Agent VPS hosting page before choosing a plan.
Choose the Hermes Agent Runtime Path
Before running commands, decide how Hermes Agent should be installed, updated, restarted and recovered on the VPS. Use current upstream documentation as the authority for exact versions and flags.
Git installer path
Best for a Linux VPS install that should track the official one-line installer while keeping the deployment aligned with current Hermes Agent server guidance.
Python or development path
Best only when your team has confirmed the current upstream package or development-clone flow and manages Python releases, virtual environments and upgrades cleanly. Otherwise prefer the upstream installer.
Docker backend
Best when terminal work needs a stronger boundary and the selected Hermes Agent documentation explicitly calls for the Docker terminal backend or container deployment.
Gateway mode
Best when Hermes Agent should connect to Telegram, Discord, Slack, WhatsApp, Signal, SMS, Email, Microsoft Teams, webhooks or another supported messaging surface from the VPS.
Recommended VPS Requirements
Minimum starting point for a test environment
Use this to validate the workflow before committing to an always-on deployment.
- 2 CPU cores
- 4 GB RAM
- 30 GB NVMe storage
- Ubuntu VPS or another supported Linux server
- Root or sudo access
Recommended PakiWebHost starting point
- 3 CPU cores
- 6 GB RAM
- 50 GB NVMe storage
- Unlimited bandwidth
- 1 free snapshot
- IPv4 + IPv6
- Full root access
The recommended starting point gives Hermes Agent CPU headroom for background tasks and package builds, RAM for dependencies and runtime processes, NVMe storage for skills, memories, provider config, messaging gateways and approval settings, and root access for packages, services and firewall configuration.
Recommended Architecture
The VPS is the runtime layer. You connect over SSH, configure Hermes Agent and control logs, state and access. Review the Hermes Agent VPS hosting page before moving to production use.
You / Operator
You connect over SSH and control the full workflow, configuration, security and updates.
PakiWebHost VPS
Provides the persistent server with storage, networking, root access, snapshots and backups.
Hermes Agent Runtime
Installer, CLI, models, tools, gateway, memory, skills and logs running on the VPS.
External Services
API and model providers, repositories, tools, webhooks and scheduled jobs you enable.
Why Hermes Agent Benefits from a VPS
Hermes Agent can involve skills, memory, provider settings, messaging gateways, scheduled tasks, command approvals and server-side logs. A VPS keeps those moving parts in one controlled runtime.
Persistent runtime
Keep Hermes Agent running in an always-on remote environment instead of tying it to a local desktop session.
Logs and state on the server
Keep runtime state, logs, credentials, repositories and operational context in one controlled place.
Background and scheduled tasks
Support persistent background workflows, scheduled tasks and service restarts over time.
Centralized control
Document every provider, toolset, approval rule and messaging gateway you enable. Start narrow and expand after logs, credentials and service restarts are understood.
Security Basics for Hermes Agent on a VPS
- Use SSH keys where possible and store private keys outside the VPS.
- Keep root login limited after bootstrap.
- Use a non-root user where practical.
- Restrict ports to SSH and the specific gateway, webhook or supporting service ports you intentionally expose.
- Store secrets through the documented Hermes configuration flow, environment variables or a secret manager, and avoid pasting live credentials into examples, tickets or shared logs.
- Avoid committing .env, provider keys, repository tokens, gateway tokens, memory files or channel credentials.
- Review SSH logs, Hermes gateway access, provider-key usage, tool approvals, skill changes, memory/config files and channel authentication settings.
- Keep OS packages and Hermes Agent dependencies updated through the selected upstream path.
- Snapshot before major Hermes Agent changes and record a rollback point.
- Monitor failed login attempts and unexpected gateway access.
- Rotate exposed or unnecessary keys immediately.
- Keep experiments separate from production systems.
The server can contain provider config, messaging gateways, approval settings, secrets, repositories, tool access and runtime memory. Harden it before production use and avoid granting broad tool permissions until you have reviewed logs, access controls, provider-key scope and rollback behavior.
When This Setup Is Not Necessary
Local testing is enough
You may not need a VPS if you are only testing Hermes Agent locally, working from one private machine, reviewing a small repository or experimenting without persistent SSH access.
Server management may be unnecessary
This setup is not ideal if you do not want to manage Linux updates, SSH access, firewall rules, disk usage, credentials or repository permissions yourself.
Use a VPS for persistent remote state
Use a VPS when the workspace, memory state, logs, tools and agent workflow should stay available in a controlled remote environment.
Ready to run Hermes Agent on an always-on VPS?
Deploy a self-managed Hermes Agent VPS, confirm the current plan terms at checkout and use this guide as your setup, security, log-review and rollback checklist.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, if the Hermes Agent release supports the Linux distribution and runtime path you choose. Use this guide together with the current official documentation.
Not for the VPS runtime pattern described here. This guide focuses on the CLI, messaging gateway, provider access, skills, memory, scheduled tasks, approval settings and server-side logs; verify separate hardware needs if you plan local model inference.
No. Bring your own provider accounts, credentials, API keys, model access, repositories and framework configuration.
Start with a recommended plan for a practical first deployment, then scale after measuring CPU, RAM, storage, process count, enabled skills, memory usage, provider config, messaging gateways and approval settings.
Yes, for the selected runtime mode. The VPS can keep Hermes skills, memory, provider config, gateway settings and approval rules available without your local desktop staying online; use tmux or screen for interactive work and the documented gateway service path for gateway or automation commands that are meant to persist.
Use Docker when you intentionally select Hermes Agent's documented Docker terminal backend or another deployment path that explicitly calls for containers. Otherwise use the standard installer, CLI, gateway and configuration paths.
No. PakiWebHost provides the VPS infrastructure. You install, configure, secure, update and operate the software you run on it.