Skills System
نظام Skills
Start with meaning, then move to detail.
This lesson explains Skills System 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, 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 practice, inspect the first example, identify its effects, run it on test data, and compare the result with the source claim.
For advanced readers, inspect Starting with a blank slate, Using Skills, Stacking multiple skills in one command, then verify failure modes and version compatibility.
Complete installation and one successful task before adding new capabilities.
A clear outcome before you read.
- Understand Skills System 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.
Short definitions before the details.
- Skill
- An instruction bundle that teaches Hermes a repeatable workflow without necessarily adding an external service.
On-demand knowledge documents — progressive disclosure, agent-managed skills, and the Skills Hub
What does the source say, and in what order?
- 01Starting with a blank slate
Start here to understand the core idea or structure.
- 02Using Skills
Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.
- 03Stacking multiple skills in one command
Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.
- 04Learning a skill from sources (/learn)
Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.
- 05Large sources become knowledge-base skills
Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.
- 06Progressive Disclosure
Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.
- 07SKILL.md Format
Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.
- 08When to Use
Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.
- 09Procedure
Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.
- 10Pitfalls
Finish here to verify the result and special cases.
Copy only after you understand the effect.
curl -fsSL https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/install.sh | bash -s -- --no-skillshermes profile create research --no-skillshermes skills opt-out # stop future seeding — nothing on disk is touched
hermes skills opt-out --remove # also delete UNMODIFIED bundled skills (confirms first)
hermes skills opt-in --sync # undo: remove the marker and re-seed nowRead 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.