# Hermes Agent plugin

The Liquid Inference plugin adds the exchange to [Hermes Agent](https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent) as a model provider. The source is [architect-xyz/hermes-liquid-inference](https://github.com/architect-xyz/hermes-liquid-inference). The plugin is also in the [Hermes Agent plugin catalog](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/plugins/liquid-inference-provider).

To set each value yourself, with no plugin, see [Hermes Agent](https://inference.ai.exchange/docs/connect-hermes-agent.md).

## Before you start

- Hermes Agent 0.21.6 or later.
- A workspace with a balance and a `spend` key. See [API keys](https://inference.ai.exchange/docs/keys.md).

## 1. Install the plugin

```bash
hermes plugins install architect-xyz/hermes-liquid-inference --enable
```

The command asks for `LIQUID_API_KEY` and saves it in `~/.hermes/.env`.

## 2. Choose the provider and the model

```bash
hermes config set model.provider liquid
hermes config set model.default liquid.auto
```

## 3. Set the cap

Each request has a cap of 1 USD. To change the cap, set the header:

```bash
hermes config set model.default_headers.x-liquid-cap-usd 0.25
```

The cap limits each request. To limit the total spend, set a spending limit on the key. See [API keys](https://inference.ai.exchange/docs/keys.md).

## Reasoning effort

Task requests use `medium` when you set no reasoning effort. To choose another level:

```bash
hermes config set agent.reasoning_effort high
```

If you choose `none` or turn reasoning off, the plugin sends no reasoning effort. Auxiliary requests do not use the task default.

If no offer accepts the effort, the exchange refuses the request with `400 unsupported_parameter` and makes no charge. Hermes then sends the request again without the effort.

## Next steps

- [Hermes Agent](https://inference.ai.exchange/docs/connect-hermes-agent.md): set up Hermes with no plugin, or with the Liquid CLI.
- [Axis routing](https://inference.ai.exchange/docs/axis-routing.md): rank offers by smartest, fastest or cheapest.
- [Apps](https://inference.ai.exchange/docs/apps.md): the other plugins and tools.