> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.inceptionlabs.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Hermes Agent

> Run Hermes Agent with Mercury 2.5 through Inception's API.

[Hermes Agent](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/) supports custom OpenAI-compatible endpoints, so it can connect directly to Mercury 2.5 without a proxy.

<Tip>
  Mercury 2.5 supports parallel tool calls, allowing Hermes to run independent tools in the same turn.
</Tip>

## Prerequisites

* An [Inception API key](https://platform.inceptionlabs.ai/)
* macOS, Linux, Windows, or WSL2

## Setup

<Steps>
  <Step title="Install Hermes Agent">
    Follow the [Hermes installation guide](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/getting-started/quickstart), or install it on macOS, Linux, or WSL2:

    ```bash theme={null}
    curl -fsSL https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/install.sh | bash
    ```

    Open a new terminal after installation so the `hermes` command is available.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add Inception as a custom endpoint">
    Open Hermes's model picker:

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

    Select **Custom endpoint (enter URL manually)** and enter:

    | Setting                | Value                             |
    | ---------------------- | --------------------------------- |
    | API base URL           | `https://api.inceptionlabs.ai/v1` |
    | API key                | Your Inception API key            |
    | API compatibility mode | **Chat Completions**              |
    | Model name             | `mercury-2.5`                     |
    | Context length         | `260000`                          |
    | Display name           | `Inception`                       |

    If Mercury 2.5 does not appear during model discovery, enter `mercury-2.5` manually. Hermes stores the key in its user-only `.env` file and saves Mercury 2.5 as the default model.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start Hermes">
    Launch an interactive session:

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

    The startup message should show `mercury-2.5` with the `custom` provider.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Verify the integration

Run a one-shot prompt:

```bash theme={null}
hermes chat --oneshot -q "Reply with exactly: Mercury 2.5 is connected."
```

Hermes should respond with `Mercury 2.5 is connected.`

<Accordion title="Troubleshooting">
  * **Hermes cannot find the endpoint:** Confirm the base URL ends in `/v1` and the compatibility mode is **Chat Completions**.
  * **Mercury 2.5 is not listed:** Enter `mercury-2.5` manually in the custom endpoint flow.
  * **The wrong model is active:** Run `hermes model` again and select the saved **Inception** provider.
</Accordion>

[Hermes custom-provider documentation](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/integrations/providers#custom--self-hosted-llm-providers)