Hermes GPT 6 in one line: install the open source Hermes agent, point it at a GPT-class model in the model manager, and you've got an agent that builds, clicks and talks instead of a chatbot that just replies.
That's the whole quick start, and everything below is the detail.
I've also put the free route in here, because you can run the identical setup on a local model for nothing.
Here's what it looks like when it's running.
The 5-step quick start
Here's the shortest path from nothing to a working agent.
Step one: install Hermes agent. It's an open source project, and it's the harness everything else plugs into.
Step two: open the model manager. Pick the GPT model you have access to, save the key, done.
Step three: test it in chat mode. Ask it something verifiable before you add anything else.
Step four: add the voice. Plug in ElevenLabs so it speaks the replies, then set your wake word.
Step five: ask it to build something. Small, visual, checkable — a timer or a tracker, not a whole platform.
That's it.
Everything after step five is you finding out what else it does.
If you want the deeper install detail, I wrote it up in the Hermes agent installation guide.
What you get once those five steps are done
You get an agent that builds things when you ask out loud.
I said "Jarvis, build me a galaxy I can swirl with my mouse" and it came back with "built and running, sir".
I don't code, and that still happened.
You get a build gallery holding everything you've made — mine has a habit tracker, a full website, a Japanese flashcard game and a meditation timer in it.
You get computer use and browser use, so "open up juliangoldie.com" opens the site.
You get a full conversation history.
And if you link it to an Obsidian vault, you get real memory — mine answers "what have I been working on this week" with "you've been tinkering with thumbnail work, sir, the thumbnails log shows recent edits there".
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The free route, step by step
You do not need to pay for a model to start.
I built a parallel version of this with free Claude Code, which gives you an agent factory you can speak or type to, and it builds live in front of you.
That whole setup runs on Qwen 2.5 Coder through Ollama.
So it's a free local model, on my own machine, with no API bill at all.
That's mind-blowing when you actually sit with it, and local models are getting better every few months.
The move is simple: start free, learn the system, then swap the model manager over to a paid GPT model when the work justifies it.
| Setup | Model cost | Voice | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hermes + GPT model | Pay per token | ElevenLabs | Hardest builds, fewest retries |
| Hermes + local Ollama model | Free | Optional | Learning, privacy, unlimited runs |
| Free Claude Code agent factory | Free | Optional | Watching builds happen live |
I compared the local options in best Ollama model for Hermes agent.
The three parts of the build
People ask what's under the bonnet, so here it is plainly.
Part one is Hermes agent, an open source project, with all of its agentic capabilities built into the system.
Part two is the voice response, which I do with ElevenLabs.
Part three is the improvements and the system running in the background, and that's Claude.
The model you choose sits inside part one as the brain.
That's the entire architecture, and here's the Agent OS version of it.
The features you'll find in week one
Say "Jarvis, show me my team" and it pulls up the agents ready in the system — Claude, the open core agents and Hermes together.
There's a mission control view, and a goal mode for handing over outcomes rather than instructions.
There's a chat mode when you'd rather type.
You can switch between voices and between auto and agent mode.
You can link Hermes with MCPs to add tools it doesn't ship with.
Paperclip is built in with AI agent teams, and there's an agent group chat where Hermes talks to Claude and Gemini.
That group chat is my favourite part of the whole thing.
I broke the multi-agent side down in Hermes agent swarm, and the memory side is here.
What to build in your first week
Week one is about proving the loop, not impressing anyone.
Day one, build a timer or a tracker and open it again from the gallery so you know nothing gets lost.
Day two, link the Obsidian vault and ask it what you worked on yesterday, then check the answer against your own notes.
Day three, try computer use by asking it to open a site you own, and watch whether it reports back accurately.
Day four, switch from auto mode into agent mode and hand it something multi-step so you can feel the difference.
Day five, open the agent group chat and put the same question to Hermes, Claude and Gemini at once.
By the end of that week you'll know which parts of the system you actually use, and you can ignore the rest without guilt.
That's how I ended up with a setup I talk to every morning instead of a folder of abandoned experiments.
I keep a running list of what earns its place in best Hermes use cases.
The honest warnings
It doesn't always work.
Sometimes it's not that smooth, and you'll hit a session where it misfires.
This is a project you improve daily rather than a finished app, so treat the first week as building your own tool.
If what you want is maximum output rather than the voice experience, use paperclip or an agent teams setup — you create a lot more a lot faster that way.
The Jarvis build is the best party trick I've got with AI, and it's also genuinely useful, but those are two separate claims.
And remember this is the worst it will ever be.
🔥 Want my full Hermes Jarvis + Agent OS setup? Get it inside the AI Profit Boardroom — full video tutorial, the zip file to install with prompts, daily new tutorials, live Q&A with me and the community, four weekly coaching calls, and a member map to connect locally. → Get the setup here
Hermes GPT 6 FAQ
What is Hermes GPT 6 in simple terms?
It's the open source Hermes agent running a GPT-class model as its brain.
The agent gives that model tools, memory, voice and browser control.
How much does Hermes GPT 6 cost?
The agent layer is free because it's open source.
You pay normal API pricing for the model, or nothing if you run locally, and the voice layer is optional.
Can I run Hermes GPT 6 completely free?
Yes.
Qwen 2.5 Coder through Ollama gives you a free local brain, and free Claude Code gives you the agent factory.
What are the three parts of the Hermes Jarvis build?
Hermes agent for the agentic work, ElevenLabs for the voice response, and Claude in the background for improvements.
Does Hermes GPT 6 need a wake word?
No, it's optional.
Say "Jarvis" or "Hermes" to switch it on and again to switch it off, or ignore voice entirely and type.
What should I build first with Hermes GPT 6?
Something small and visual you can immediately check.
A habit tracker or a timer proves the loop works before you ask for a full site.
About Julian
I'm Julian Goldie — AI entrepreneur, SEO expert, and founder of the AI Profit Boardroom (2,800+ members). I help business owners scale with AI agents, automation, and SEO.
- 400K+ YouTube subscribers
- 7-figure AI agency (Goldie Agency)
- Daily training inside the Boardroom
- Author of multiple AI automation playbooks
→ Get my best AI training inside the AI Profit Boardroom
Also On Our Network
- 🌐 Read on bestaiagentcommunity.com
- 🌐 Read on aiprofitboardroom.com
- 🌐 Read on juliangoldieaiautomation.com
- 🌐 Read on aisuccesslabjuliangoldie.com
Related reading
- Hermes agent installation guide — the full install.
- Best Hermes agent LLM — choosing your brain.
- Hermes agent goals — using goal mode properly.
Run those five steps today, free or paid, and by tonight your Hermes GPT 6 setup will be building things while you talk to it.
📺 Video notes + links to the tools 👉
