The Tool Desk
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This guide follows Hostinger’s catalog-managed setup. The dashboard labels and provider options may change, so check the linked Hostinger setup instructions and Hermes documentation for the current flow.
What you need before deploying
- A Hostinger VPS with access to Docker Manager.
- A model provider configured for Hermes. Eligible Hostinger AI Router credits may prefill a key; otherwise, have credentials for a provider you choose.
- Optional credentials for tools such as web search, and optional messaging-platform details if you plan to connect a channel.
Hostinger’s self-hosting tutorial recommends a VPS with at least 2 CPU cores and 8 GB of RAM. It estimates about 1 GB of RAM for the Hermes container, or 2–4 GB when browser automation is enabled. These are Hostinger’s recommendations, not an independently tested benchmark or an official Hermes minimum. See Hostinger’s Hermes setup guide.
Deploy Hermes from Hostinger’s catalog
- Sign in to the Hostinger VPS dashboard and open Docker Manager.
- Open Catalog, search for Hermes Agent, and select it.
- Create the requested admin username and password. Store them securely.
- Choose Deploy. Hostinger says this starts the Hermes container and required services.
- When the project is running, select Open beside it to enter the Hermes CLI.
Hostinger’s instructions for this catalog flow are in How to get started with Hermes agent on Hostinger VPS. Use the project controls in Docker Manager for this deployment; manual Docker commands and container settings may not apply to a dashboard-managed project.
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Configure a model provider and verify a chat
Complete the initial setup
The first CLI launch opens Hermes’ setup flow. Hostinger’s walkthrough says to choose Full setup when configuring providers, then select the provider you intend to use. If eligible Hostinger AI Router credits were added with the VPS purchase, the API key may already be populated. If not, provide the credentials required by your chosen provider.
Hostinger AI Router credits can provide access to models such as Claude, Gemini, and GPT through one gateway. Credits are not required to deploy Hermes, and you can use your own provider credentials instead. Hostinger says model responses stop if its credits run out or go negative; confirm your credit balance and provider configuration if requests stop working. Do not assume credits are included with every VPS purchase.
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Test the simplest useful interaction
Send a normal message in the CLI and confirm Hermes returns a response. The Hermes Agent Quickstart recommends: “Get one clean conversation working first, then layer on gateway, cron, skills, voice, or routing.” See the Hermes Agent documentation from Nous Research.
Hermes also documents hermes model for choosing a provider and hermes setup --portal for a Nous Portal setup path. These are distinct configuration options, not prerequisites for Hostinger’s catalog deployment.
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Add a messaging channel after CLI chat works
You can choose communication channels during the Hostinger setup flow, or configure them afterward. Hermes’ general instructions use hermes gateway setup to configure channels. Follow the authorization prompts for the platform you choose, restrict access with that platform’s allowed-user list, and make sure the gateway is running. Hostinger’s broader self-hosting tutorial describes hermes gateway run for its general workflow; check current Hermes and Hostinger instructions for the applicable command and dashboard controls.
Do not treat a connected channel as private by default. An allowlist helps limit who can interact with the bot; configure it before sharing the bot or channel.
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Know what the catalog route manages—and what it does not
Hostinger offers both a catalog deployment and other hosting approaches, including managed Hermes and manual self-hosting. The catalog route creates and exposes a Docker project through Hostinger’s dashboard. A manually operated Docker deployment gives the operator more direct control, but also makes updates, backups, firewall rules, and container health the operator’s responsibility. A managed offer is intended to avoid some manual server maintenance. Choose based on how much server administration you want to own, how you will access Hermes, and which provider credentials and data-persistence controls you need.
For manual Docker deployments, Hostinger says to mount ~/.hermes at /opt/data so configuration, memory, and skills persist across container restarts. That instruction is for the manual Docker route; do not apply it blindly to a catalog-managed project. Follow Hostinger’s project controls and current documentation for the catalog deployment.
Best Value
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Secure and maintain the VPS
- Secure the VPS host itself. Hostinger advises disabling root SSH login and configuring fail2ban; installing Hermes does not perform those host-hardening steps for you.
- For self-hosted Docker configurations, Hostinger recommends closing ports 8642 (API server) and 9119 (dashboard) when you use only chat platforms. Port exposure depends on your configuration, so verify current instructions before changing firewall rules.
- For self-hosted setups, consider a Docker terminal backend so commands run in an isolated environment rather than directly on the VPS.
- Keep the deployment updated. Hostinger’s tutorial describes updating the image while retaining the mounted data volume for manual Docker; VPS users can use Docker Manager’s project update action. Confirm the current project-specific process before applying updates.
These security, persistence, and update notes distinguish manual self-hosting from the Hostinger catalog path. For current operational details, consult Hostinger’s Hermes setup guide.
Quick Recap
Troubleshoot missing or failed responses
- Check provider credentials: Incorrect, expired, or missing API credentials can prevent responses. Run the setup flow again and verify the selected provider’s credentials.
- Check provider configuration and credits: Confirm the model provider is configured correctly and, if using Hostinger credits, that they have not run out or gone negative.
- Run diagnostics: Hostinger suggests running
hermes doctorfor provider or connection problems. - Find CLI help: Use
/helpto explore available CLI commands.
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