The latest update to Hermes Agent, version 0.17.0, codenamed "Reach," introduces significant advancements, particularly in its asynchronous background agent capabilities and the development of a desktop application. While the desktop app is not yet a daily driver for all users, the rapid pace of development suggests its potential for future integration.

Key Developments in Version 0.17.0

Hermes Agent version 0.17.0 builds upon version 0.16, which initially brought Hermes to the desktop. This update focuses on expanding the agent's reach and operational capacity. The development effort since version 0.16 is substantial, with nearly 1,500 commits on GitHub, 800 merged pull requests, approximately 1,700 files changed, and contributions from nearly 250 community collaborators.

Notable new features and improvements include:

• Expanded Communication Channels:
  • iMessage: Agents can now communicate via iMessage.
  • WhatsApp Cloud API: Official integration with WhatsApp Cloud API is now supported.
  • Richer Telegram Output: Enhanced output formatting for Telegram.
• Desktop Application Enhancements: The desktop application has seen further development, aiming for increased usability.
• Asynchronous Sub-Agents: A core feature of this update is the integration of asynchronous sub-agents. These can be invoked to assist the default or current agent profile. Depending on task complexity, an agent can spawn multiple parallel sub-agent sessions to achieve a primary objective.
• Creative Tools Expansion:
  • Image Generation and Editing: The image generation tool can now also edit existing images.
  • Blank Slate Mode: This mode allows users to start with a minimal agent configuration and add capabilities as needed. It is particularly useful for troubleshooting agent profiles by testing workflows in a simplified environment to identify potential conflicts in skills, memory, or rules of operation.
• Team and Admin Surface Maturation: The platform's team and administration features, including the profile builder and multi-profile dashboard, have been further refined.

Desktop Application First Impressions

The Hermes Agent desktop application, while improved, still presents some usability challenges for seamless daily integration. Navigation between agent profiles is not as intuitive as desired, with a lack of a simple dropdown menu for quick switching. An observed error regarding a missing access token for the gateway, while not present on the Hermes dashboard, suggests a potential desktop-specific bug.

While the application's interface has expanded and the listing of cron jobs is clear, the current version primarily displays local terminal activity. Accessing agents on a remote server would require SSH. The user experience is not yet on par with the Hermes Agent dashboard, which offers a more straightforward method for switching profiles via a dropdown and a clear banner indicating the active agent. The developer expresses a desire for the desktop app to replicate the dashboard's user experience, particularly the ease of profile selection.

Live Demo: Asynchronous Agent Collaboration

A demonstration was conducted to showcase the asynchronous background sub-agents. The prompt instructed Hermes Agent to launch five simultaneous background agents: a research analyst, a workflow designer, a skeptic, an operator, and a narrative strategist. Each agent was tasked with returning three findings, one risk, one practical recommendation, and source evidence notes. The core requirement was to support asynchronous delegation, preventing the agents from running sequentially and ensuring the main conversation remained usable while background tasks progressed.

During the test, a slight hiccup occurred when a question was posed to the main conversation after the asynchronous process began. While the main conversation flow was successfully interrupted and a side question answered, the background work continued. This demonstrated that the main conversation could be paused without halting background agent tasks.

Initial results indicated that two out of five agents had completed their tasks, with both converging on similar framing. This partial signal suggested that version 0.17.0 is a viable candidate for daily use, especially for technical solo operators and small to medium-sized businesses. The asynchronous batch processing and the ability to interrupt the main conversation while background tasks continued were highlighted as key features.

Comparison with OpenClaw and Future Outlook

When comparing Hermes Agent with OpenClaw, the current usage patterns show Hermes Agent being utilized for revenue-generating products, clients, and services through its multi-agent teams. OpenClaw, on the other hand, remains the primary tool for daily content creation and internal operations.

While the desktop app is not yet adopted for daily use due to a lack of polish and certain usability issues, the developer anticipates that with further updates, potentially by version 0.20, it could become a daily driver. The current preference remains with the Hermes Agent dashboard due to its superior user experience in profile management.

The "floating chat bubble" tool, developed by the reviewer for the Hermes Agent dashboard, was also mentioned. This tool has reportedly worked flawlessly since version 13 or 14 and provides persistent memory across tabs within the dashboard.

The rapid improvement of Hermes Agent, likened to the early stages of OpenClaw, is a positive indicator. The developer hopes this pace of development will be sustained. The asynchronous sub-agent functionality and background work capabilities were confirmed as operational, allowing for seamless interruption of the main conversation while background tasks completed and synthesis resumed. The desktop app is seen as an "operational shell" that is improving but not yet fully polished for universal adoption.

The review concludes that while the desktop app is not yet ready for daily use for the reviewer, it is improving and may soon reach a point of usability. For now, the Hermes Agent dashboard will continue to be the primary tool.