Academy → Using HermesOfficial documentation · clear explanation

Computer Use

Computer Use

Intermediate20 minutes3 questions2026-08-09
The idea in one minute

Start with meaning, then move to detail.

This lesson explains Computer Use as part of extending Hermes and connecting external tools. You will learn what it does, when it matters, and the smallest safe test that proves it works.

If you are new

If you are new, do not memorize names. Focus on three questions: what problem does this solve, what access does it need, and how can you verify the result?

For hands-on use

For practice, inspect the first example, identify its effects, run it on test data, and compare the result with the source claim.

For specialists

For advanced readers, inspect How it works, Enabling, Permission modes and logged-in browser profiles, then verify failure modes and version compatibility.

What do you need first?

Complete installation and one successful task before adding new capabilities.

What will you know?

A clear outcome before you read.

  • Understand Computer Use without assumed prior knowledge.
  • Separate the source description from what still needs testing in your environment.
  • Read the first command and identify its inputs and outputs before copying it.
Lesson terms

Short definitions before the details.

Provider
The service that runs or provides access and authentication to a model.
Session & memory
A session holds conversation context, while memory keeps selected facts that should persist.
Skill
An instruction bundle that teaches Hermes a repeatable workflow without necessarily adding an external service.
Browser / CDP
A layer for programmatic browser control and page or event inspection.
Topic map

What does the source say, and in what order?

  1. 01
    How it works

    Start here to understand the core idea or structure.

  2. 02
    Enabling

    Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.

  3. 03
    Permission modes and logged-in browser profiles

    Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.

  4. 04
    hermes computer-use doctor — your first triage stop

    Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.

  5. 05
    The agent cursor and sessions

    Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.

  6. 06
    Going deeper — the cua-driver skill pack

    Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.

  7. 07
    Quick example

    Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.

  8. 08
    Provider compatibility

    Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.

  9. 09
    Safety

    Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.

  10. 10
    Token efficiency

    Finish here to verify the result and special cases.

Examples from the official page

Copy only after you understand the effect.

hermes computer-use install
hermes -t computer_use chat
$ hermes computer-use doctor ⚠️ cua-driver 0.5.8 on darwin — degraded ✅ binary_version: cua-driver 0.5.8 ✅ platform_supported: macOS 26.4.1 (arm64) ✅ session_active: MCP session is active. ❌ bundle_identity: Process has no CFBundleIdentifier. → Run the binary inside CuaDriver.app so TCC grants attribute correctly. ✅ tcc_accessibility: Accessibility is granted. ✅ tcc_screen_recording: Screen Recording is granted. ✅ ax_capability: AX is trusted and reachable. ✅ screen_capture_capability: ScreenCaptureKit reachable; 1 display(s) shareable.
Try it now

Read the first command and identify its inputs and outputs before copying it.

Match every command to your installed Hermes version, review the files and accounts it can reach, and use non-sensitive data for the first test. If this explanation differs from the source, the official source wins.

Knowledge check

Three decisions before completion.

1. What is the source of truth when “Computer Use” changes?
2. What is the best way to apply this lesson?
3. What should happen before a step can modify files or an external account?