In this guide, we will install and run Hermes Agent using Docker on a Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ and connect it to Telegram as a communication channel.
⚠️ Note: Raspberry Pi 3 B+ has limited CPU and RAM, so performance may not be as fast as newer devices like Raspberry Pi 4 or x86 servers.
🧰 Requirements
Before starting, make sure you have:
- Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+
- Raspberry Pi OS (64-bit recommended, 32-bit still works)
- Docker installed
- Stable internet connection
- At least 1–2 GB free storage
- Telegram account
Check Docker:
docker --version
If Docker is not installed:
curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com | sh
sudo usermod -aG docker $USER
Then reboot:
sudo reboot
📁 Step 1 — Create Data Directory
Create persistent storage for Hermes:
mkdir -p ~/.hermes
⚙️ Step 2 — Run Hermes Setup
Initialize Hermes setup wizard:
docker run -it --rm \
-v ~/.hermes:/opt/data \
nousresearch/hermes-agent setup
Follow the setup instructions until completion.
🚀 Step 3 — Run Hermes Gateway
Start Hermes in background mode:
docker run -d \
--name hermes \
--restart unless-stopped \
-v ~/.hermes:/opt/data \
-p 8642:8642 \
-p 9119:9119 \
-e HERMES_DASHBOARD=1 \
-e HERMES_DASHBOARD_INSECURE=1 \
-e GATEWAY_ALLOW_ALL_USERS=true \
nousresearch/hermes-agent gateway run
🔍 Step 4 — Check Status
Verify container is running:
docker ps
Check logs:
docker logs -f hermes
🌍 Step 5 — Access Hermes Dashboard
Open your browser:
http://:9119
Find IP address:
hostname -I
📲 Step 6 — Connect Telegram Channel
Now we will connect Telegram as a channel inside Hermes UI.
1. Create Telegram Bot First
Before connecting Hermes to Telegram:
- Open Telegram
- Search BotFather
- Create a new bot using:
/newbot
- Follow instructions:
- Set bot name
- Set username
- Copy the BOT TOKEN (important)
2. Open Hermes Dashboard
Go to:
http://:9119
Login if needed.
3. Add Telegram Channel
Inside the dashboard:
- Click Channels
- Click Add Channel
- Select Telegram
Then fill in:
- Bot Token → paste token from BotFather
- Allowed Users → Telegram user IDs or usernames that are allowed to interact with the bot
Only users listed here will be able to access and use the Hermes bot.
4. Save & Connect
Click Save / Connect
If successful:
- Telegram channel status will become Connected
- Bot will start responding via Hermes gateway
⚠️ Important Notes
- Always create bot via BotFather before connecting
- Keep bot token private (do not expose it)
- Make sure Raspberry Pi is accessible or exposed via network/tunnel if needed
- Telegram users must be correctly whitelisted in Hermes UI
🧼 Stop or Remove Hermes
Stop container:
docker stop hermes
Remove container:
docker rm hermes
🎯 Conclusion
You now have:
- Hermes Agent running on Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+
- Dashboard accessible via browser
- Telegram channel successfully integrated
This setup allows you to interact with your home lab AI agent directly from Telegram.
If you want next upgrade steps:
- Add Cloudflare Tunnel for public access
- Integrate WhatsApp channel
- Connect multiple agents
- Or build full AI automation home lab stack
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