Platform support and unsupported routes
Where you run Hermes determines both the install route and the experience afterwards. The docs split platforms into two tiers: Tier 1 (primary support) and Tier 2 (best effort). There is also an explicitly unsupported set of distribution routes — those can break without a fix.
| Tier | Platform | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | macOS (Apple Silicon) | Desktop app or install.sh |
| Tier 1 | Windows (x86_64, aarch64) | A few features are unavailable |
| Tier 1 | Linux / WSL2 | Requires glibc, systemd and a standard filesystem hierarchy |
| Tier 1 | Docker container | `hermes update` does not work in the container |
| Tier 2 | Android (Termux) | Several features are missing on a phone |
| Tier 2 | Nix / NixOS | Breaks often because of Node.js packaging |
The docs mark these routes as unsupported: AUR packages, macOS on Intel processors, PyPI (pip / uv tool) and Homebrew. If you installed through one of them, do not expect a fix when something breaks — move to an official route.
The practical selection rule:
- Daily work on your own machine — macOS or Linux, installed directly. The simplest route.
- An agent running 24/7 — a small Linux server or VPS; the gateway is installed as a service.
- A corporate environment — a Docker container: reproducible installs, a clear boundary, and strong isolation when combined with
terminal.backend: docker. - Windows — WSL2 is recommended; some security components (for example the pre-exec scanner) are not available on native Windows.
Practice. Pick the target environment now and write one sentence: "Hermes will run on _____ because _____". Then read that platform's limitations in the docs and list which feature you are giving up. Done means: you can name at least one limitation.
📚 Sources and documentation
- Platform support matrixofficialhermes-agent.nousresearch.com
Tiers, architectures and per-platform limitations.
- Installationofficialhermes-agent.nousresearch.com
- Android / Termuxofficialhermes-agent.nousresearch.com
If you want to run it on a phone, the limitations are here.