> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://herm.liftaris.dev/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Install Herm and send your first message

> Install Herm, connect it to Hermes Agent, launch the TUI, navigate the main tabs, and send your first message.

Herm is published as the `herm-tui` package and runs on top of Hermes Agent.

<Warning>
  Install and configure [Hermes Agent](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs) before launching Herm. Herm does not bundle or replace the agent runtime. It expects a Hermes home at `~/.hermes`, or `HERMES_HOME` pointing to another Hermes home.
</Warning>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Try Herm without installing">
    If you have Bun installed, run Herm from the registry:

    ```bash theme={null}
    bunx herm-tui
    ```

    Double-tap `Ctrl+C` to quit, or use `Ctrl+K` to open the command palette and choose an exit action.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install Herm globally">
    Install the `herm` command with Bun or npm.

    <CodeGroup>
      ```bash Bun stable theme={null}
      bun add -g herm-tui
      ```

      ```bash npm theme={null}
      npm i -g herm-tui
      ```

      ```bash Bun next theme={null}
      bun add -g herm-tui@next
      ```
    </CodeGroup>

    The `@next` tag tracks development releases and can break. Use the stable tag for normal use.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify the command">
    Check that the launcher is on your `PATH`:

    ```bash theme={null}
    herm --version
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Launch Herm">
    Start a fresh session or resume the most recent session:

    ```bash theme={null}
    herm
    herm -c
    ```

    Herm reads `HERMES_HOME`, starts the Hermes Agent gateway subprocess, and renders the TUI. If startup fails, open [Common issues](/troubleshooting/common-issues).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Navigate the interface">
    Herm has five top-level tabs.

    | Shortcut                        | Action                                                          |
    | ------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------- |
    | `Alt+Left` / `Alt+Right`        | Previous or next top-level tab                                  |
    | `Alt+1` through `Alt+5`         | Jump to Chat, Sessions, Profiles & Automation, Config, or Eikon |
    | `<leader>1` through `<leader>5` | Same tab jumps through the leader prefix                        |
    | `Shift+Left` / `Shift+Right`    | Previous or next sub-tab when a tab has sub-tabs                |
    | `Tab`                           | Move focus within the current tab                               |
    | `Ctrl+K`                        | Open the command palette                                        |
    | `/`                             | Open the slash command popover in the composer                  |
  </Step>

  <Step title="Send your first message">
    Go to the **Chat** tab, type a prompt in the composer, and press `Enter`.

    Use `@` to attach files or diffs. Use `/` for commands such as `/model`, `/theme`, `/keys`, `/new`, and `/status`.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Chat features" icon="message" href="/features/chat">
    Streaming, file context, slash commands, voice mode, and tool frames.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Themes and keybindings" icon="palette" href="/customization/themes">
    Theme picker, skins, leader key, and rebindable shortcuts.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Sessions" icon="clock-rotate-left" href="/features/sessions">
    Resume, title, inspect, branch, and compress sessions.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Related docs

* [Configuration](/configuration)
* [Common issues](/troubleshooting/common-issues)
* [Keybindings](/customization/keybindings)