Reimage Your Server for Hermes Agent Installation

Use the Bluehost Portal to easily get Hermes Agent up and running on your Self-Managed VPS or Virtual Dedicated Server (VDS). Follow this guide’s simple steps to install Hermes Agent and access your dashboard. You'll manage and automate business apps effortlessly in no time at all.

How to Reimage Your Server for Hermes Agent Installation

To install Hermes Agent:

Important:

This applies to both VPS and VDS.

You can install only one application using the one-click installer.
To change or delete your application, follow the guide: How to Change an Application. Create a backup of your existing applications or templates.
To keep your current template, install the new application manually using SSH. Follow the same steps for both Self-Managed VPS and Virtual Dedicated Server (VDS). The system automatically selects the recommended operating system for Hermes Agent.

Changing the server image will permanently erase all data and settings on this VPS or VDS. This action cannot be undone.

Log in to your Bluehost Portal.
In the left-hand menu, click Hosting, then select My Plans.

Click the Manage button on the hosting package you want to reimage.
Click the Reimage button.
Select the Applications tab.
From the list, find Hermes Agent and click Select.
To confirm, please type "reimage" and then click Proceed to start the process.
Wait a few moments while the installation completes.
Once completed, you will see Hermes Agent listed in the Server Image section.

How to Set Up Hermes Agent

After installation completes:

Log in to your Bluehost Portal.
In the left-hand menu, click Hosting, then select My Plans.
Locate the server you want to manage, then click View Details in the bottom-left corner to expand the section and access additional server information.
Click the Reset Password.
In the pop-up window, type your new root password, then click Reset Password again to confirm and save the changes.

Log in to your server via SSH.
Use your VPS IP and credentials with an SSH client, follow the prompts, and enter your root password when asked:

Replace your_server_ip with your actual server IP address.

ssh root@your_server_ip

Example Output:

    
    Welcome to Ubuntu 24.04.4 LTS (GNU/Linux 6.8.0-111-generic x86_64)
    ********************************************************************************
    
    Hermes is running on this server.
    
    The UFW firewall is enabled.
    All ports are BLOCKED except 22 (SSH)
    
    How To Use
    
    Log in to your server and type hermes to get started. To ensure the most up-to-date experience update Hermes before starting the setup process.
    
    hermes update
    hermes setup
    
    For more details please see /root/README.md
    
    To delete this message of the day: rm -rf /etc/update-motd.d/99-hermes
    
    ********************************************************************************

Update Hermes Agent for the latest features:

hermes update

Example Output:

    
    root@server-123456:~# hermes update
    ⚕ Updating Hermes Agent...
    
    → Fetching updates...
    ✓ Code updated!
    → Syncing bundled skills...
    ✓ Update complete!
    
    Tip: You can now select a provider and model:
      hermes model              # Select provider and model

Start the Hermes Agent setup wizard:

hermes setup

You’ll see a setup menu (navigate with arrow keys):

    
    How would you like to set up Hermes?
      ↑↓ navigate  ENTER/SPACE select  ESC cancel
    
     → (●) Quick Setup (Nous Portal) — free OAuth login, no API keys, model + tools (recommended)
       (○) Full setup — configure every provider, tool & option yourself (bring your own keys)

Quick Setup: Recommended for most users (uses OAuth, no API keys needed).
Full Setup: For advanced users who want to bring their own API keys and configure every provider/tool.

If you select Quick Setup:

You’ll be prompted to log in via your browser. Open the provided link, and if prompted, enter the code shown.

    
    ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
    │             ⚕ Hermes Agent Setup Wizard                │
    ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
    │  Let's configure your Hermes Agent installation.        │
    │  Press Ctrl+C at any time to exit.                     │
    └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
    
    ◆ Nous Portal
      One subscription, 300+ models, plus the Tool Gateway:
        web search, image generation, TTS, browser automation.
      Sign up: https://portal.nousresearch.com/manage-subscription
    
    Not logged into Nous Portal. Starting login...
    
    Starting Hermes login via Nous Portal...
    Portal: https://portal.nousresearch.com
    
    To continue:
      1. Open: https://portal.nousresearch.com/manage-subscription?user_code=VYWR-6QX5
      2. If prompted, enter code: VYWR-6QX5
    Waiting for approval (polling every 1s)...

After you approve login in your browser, your terminal will show confirmation and link your Hermes Agent to Nous Portal:

    
    ✓ Login approved!
    ✓ Connected as [email protected]
    ✓ Hermes Agent is ready to use.

Start Hermes Agent when setup is complete:

hermes

Example Output:

    
    root@server-123456:~# hermes
    
    Welcome to Hermes Agent TUI (Terminal User Interface)
    ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
    
    Type 'help' or use arrow keys for navigation.
    Select an action:
    
    → Run a skill         (browse and execute available skills)
      Manage models       (select or switch AI providers)
      Project memory      (review/recall agent insights)
      Messages            (send/reply to Telegram, Discord, etc.)
      Shell/DevOps        (terminal automation and scripting)
      Settings            (view or edit configuration)
      Update Agent        (self-update and skill sync)
      Exit
    
    Agent is ready. Press 'q' to quit.

or view help:

hermes help

Example Output:

    
    root@server-123456:~# hermes help
    
    Hermes Agent CLI - Command Reference
    ────────────────────────────────────
    
    Usage:
      hermes [command]
    
    Available commands:
    
      setup       Start the Hermes Agent setup wizard
      update      Update the Hermes Agent software/skills
      tui         Start the interactive Terminal UI (default for 'hermes')
      model       Select AI model/provider
      skill       List or run installed skills
      memory      Access agent memory and context
      shell       Run shell/DevOps commands with Hermes
      help        Show this help
    
    For the full user guide, visit:
    https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/

Additional Information and Example Documentation Output

For advanced configuration, usage instructions, and details about skills or integrations, review the Hermes Agent documentation by running:

cat /root/README.md

Example Output:

    
    root@server-123456:~# cat /root/README.md
    # Hermes Agent
    
    ## Description
    
    The self-improving AI agent built by Nous Research. The only agent with a
    built-in learning loop - it creates skills from experience, improves them
    during use, nudges itself to persist knowledge, and builds a deepening
    model of who you are across sessions.
    
    ## Services
    
    Service | Ports | Purpose
    --------|-------|---------
    OpenSSH | 22    | SSH
    
    ## How-to-use
    
    Log in to your server and type `hermes` to get started. To ensure the most up-to-date experience update Hermes before starting the setup process.
    
    hermes update
    hermes setup
    
    ## Links
    
    Using Hermes CLI Interface: https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/cli
    
    Using Hermes TUI Interface: https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/tui

Summary

With Hermes Agent installed on your Bluehost Self-Managed VPS or Virtual Dedicated Server (VDS), you have an always-on, self-evolving AI assistant ready to boost productivity for your business applications. After installing through the Bluehost Portal, just log in via SSH, follow the interactive update and setup instructions, and you’ll be ready to manage coding, research, and communications from anywhere. Use the built-in help system and documentation links to unlock more advanced, autonomous features as needed.

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