Dspy — DSPy: declarative LM programs, auto-optimize prompts, RAG
Dspy — DSPy: declarative LM programs, auto-optimize prompts, RAG
Start with meaning, then move to detail.
This lesson explains Dspy — DSPy: declarative LM programs, auto-optimize prompts, RAG as part of getting started with Hermes correctly. 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 Skill metadata, Reference: full SKILL.md, When to Use This Skill, then verify failure modes and version compatibility.
No prior experience is required; follow the steps on a safe test setup first.
A clear outcome before you read.
- Understand Dspy — DSPy: declarative LM programs, auto-optimize prompts, RAG 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.
DSPy: declarative LM programs, auto-optimize prompts, RAG
What does the source say, and in what order?
- 01Skill metadata
Start here to understand the core idea or structure.
- 02Reference: full SKILL.md
Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.
- 03When to Use This Skill
Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.
- 04Installation
Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.
- 05Quick Start
Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.
- 06Basic Example: Question Answering
Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.
- 07Chain of Thought Reasoning
Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.
- 08Core Concepts
Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.
- 091. Signatures
Read this after the foundation, then connect it to the previous step.
- 102. Modules
Finish here to verify the result and special cases.
Copy only after you understand the effect.
# Stable release
pip install dspy
# Latest development version
pip install git+https://github.com/stanfordnlp/dspy.git
# With specific LM providers
pip install dspy[openai] # OpenAI
pip install dspy[anthropic] # Anthropic Claude
pip install dspy[all] # All providers### Chain of Thought Reasoning## Core Concepts
### 1. Signatures
Signatures define the structure of your AI task (inputs → outputs):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.