Academy → Using HermesOfficial documentation · clear explanation

Tool Search

الأدوات Search

Intermediate11 minutes3 questions2026-08-09
The idea in one minute

Start with meaning, then move to detail.

This lesson explains Tool Search 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, When does it activate?, Configuration, 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 Tool Search 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.

Tool
A structured action the agent can call to read or change something.
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
    When does it activate?

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

  3. 03
    Configuration

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

  4. 04
    Why the listing exists

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

  5. 05
    When NOT to use it

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

  6. 06
    Trade-offs that don't go away

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

  7. 07
    Implementation details

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

  8. 08
    See also

    Finish here to verify the result and special cases.

Examples from the official page

Copy only after you understand the effect.

tool_search(query, limit?) — search the deferred-tool catalog tool_describe(name) — load the full schema for one tool tool_call(name, arguments) — invoke a deferred tool
Model: tool_search("create a github issue") → { matches: [{ name: "mcp_github_create_issue", ... }, ...] } Model: tool_describe("mcp_github_create_issue") → { parameters: { type: "object", properties: { ... } } } Model: tool_call("mcp_github_create_issue", { title: "...", body: "..." }) → { ok: true, issue_number: 42 }
tools: tool_search: enabled: auto # auto (default), on, or off threshold_pct: 5 # listing budget as a percentage of context search_default_limit: 5 max_search_limit: 20 listing: auto # embed a grouped name+description catalog manifest listing_max_tokens: 4000
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 “Tool Search” 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?