In our previous Hermes Agent tutorial, we have explained how to use Hermes Agent for Coding. In this tutorial, we will explain to how use Hermes Agent with Claude Code.
AI coding agents are changing how developers build, debug, test, and maintain software. Hermes Agent and Claude Code can help developers automate repetitive tasks, understand existing codebases, implement new features, and improve code quality.
Hermes Agent provides an extensible AI agent environment with model integrations, tools, and reusable skills. Claude Code is an AI-powered coding tool from Anthropic that can inspect project files, edit code, execute commands, and assist with software development directly from the terminal.
In this tutorial, you will learn how to configure Hermes Agent to work with supported Claude models, use Hermes Agent and Claude Code in the same development workflow, troubleshoot common problems, and improve coding productivity while maintaining software quality.
What Is Hermes Agent?
Hermes Agent is an AI agent framework designed to support configurable language models, tools, integrations, and reusable capabilities. Depending on the configuration, developers can use it for research, automation, coding-related workflows, and other multi-step tasks.
Hermes Agent supports multiple model providers, including Anthropic in supported configurations. This allows developers to use compatible Claude models for tasks that benefit from reasoning, analysis, and code generation.
Official documentation: Hermes Agent Documentation.
What Is Claude Code?
Claude Code is an agentic coding tool developed by Anthropic. It helps developers work directly with software repositories through natural-language instructions.
Claude Code can assist with tasks such as:
- Understanding unfamiliar codebases and project architecture.
- Writing and modifying application code.
- Debugging errors and investigating unexpected behavior.
- Running tests and interpreting test failures.
- Reviewing code for potential bugs and security problems.
- Refactoring existing implementations.
- Working with Git and preparing code changes for review.
Official documentation: Claude Code Getting Started Guide.
Hermes Agent vs. Claude Code
Hermes Agent and Claude Code serve different purposes. Although they can complement each other, configuring Hermes to use a Claude model does not automatically combine both applications into one tool.
- Hermes Agent: Useful for configurable agent workflows, reusable skills, supported integrations, and task automation.
- Claude Code: Designed specifically for working directly with software projects, editing files, executing development commands, and testing implementations.
A practical approach is to use Hermes Agent for organizing tasks and reusable workflows, while using Claude Code for direct implementation and testing. The exact division of work depends on the available integrations and your development environment.
1. Install and Verify Hermes Agent and Claude Code
Before combining these tools, make sure the applications you intend to use are installed correctly.
Refer to the official installation instructions:
On Windows, open PowerShell and verify the installations:
hermes --version claude --version
If both commands return version information, the command-line tools are available. If either command is not recognized, check the installation and PATH configuration before proceeding.
You do not necessarily need both applications installed to configure Hermes to use a supported Claude model. Installing both is useful when you want to use Claude Code directly alongside Hermes Agent.
2. Configure Claude Models in Hermes Agent
Hermes Agent provides model configuration options for supported providers. To configure your model, open a terminal and run:
hermes model
Follow the interactive prompts to select the appropriate Anthropic or Claude authentication option available in your installed version.
Depending on the supported configuration, authentication may use an Anthropic API key or an available Claude Code credential integration. The exact options can vary by Hermes version and account setup.
Understand Authentication and Billing
Before selecting an authentication method, verify the applicable requirements.
- Anthropic API key: API usage is generally billed according to the applicable API pricing and account configuration.
- Claude Code credentials: Credential reuse depends on Hermes support and the authentication method available in your environment.
- Other model providers: Hermes can also be configured with other supported providers when appropriate.
Do not assume that a Claude subscription automatically includes unlimited usage through Hermes. Check the current provider documentation and applicable account terms before choosing an authentication method.
Test the Configuration
After completing the model configuration, use the interaction method documented for your installed Hermes version to send a simple test request. For example, if your version supports the following command and model identifier, you can try:
hermes chat --provider anthropic --model claude-sonnet-4-6
The model identifier is an example and may need to be changed to a currently supported model. Consult the official Hermes documentation if the command or options differ in your installation.
Ask a simple question and confirm that the model responds successfully. Resolve authentication or model-access errors before starting a development task.
3. Open Your Project in Claude Code
Once Claude Code is installed, navigate to your project directory and start a session.
cd C:\projects\my-application claude
Replace the example path with the actual location of your repository.
Before asking Claude Code to modify files, ask it to analyze the project structure, identify the main entry points, and understand the existing conventions.
Use the following prompt:
Analyze this project before making any changes. Identify: 1. The application architecture. 2. The main entry points and important modules. 3. The dependencies and configuration files. 4. The existing coding conventions. 5. The test and build commands. 6. Potentially risky areas that require careful review. Do not modify any files yet. Summarize your findings and identify anything that needs further investigation.
This initial analysis helps the coding agent understand the project before making changes. It also reduces the risk of unnecessary refactoring or modifications to unrelated files.
4. Use Hermes Agent and Claude Code Together
A useful workflow is to assign each tool a specific responsibility instead of asking both tools to perform the same work.
For example, suppose you want to add a new API endpoint to an existing PHP application. You can use Hermes Agent to organize the requirements and prepare an implementation plan, then use Claude Code to inspect the repository and implement the approved changes.
Step 1: Prepare the Implementation Plan with Hermes
Ask Hermes Agent to help structure the task and identify the requirements that must be verified.
I need to add a new API endpoint to an existing PHP project.
Prepare an implementation plan covering:
- Existing API conventions.
- Input validation.
- Authentication and authorization.
- Error handling.
- Database changes, if required.
- Response formats.
- Test cases and backward compatibility.
Do not assume the project architecture.
Identify what must be checked before implementation.
Do not modify any files.Review the plan and correct any assumptions before proceeding.
Step 2: Implement the Feature with Claude Code
Open the same repository in Claude Code and provide the approved requirements. Ask Claude Code to inspect the existing implementation before editing files.
Implement the approved API endpoint in this repository. First inspect the existing API handlers and follow the project's current conventions. Requirements: - Validate all incoming parameters. - Preserve existing response formats. - Handle expected errors correctly. - Do not expose secrets or internal error details. - Add or update appropriate tests. - Avoid changing unrelated files. Before editing, summarize the files you intend to change. After implementation, run the relevant tests and report the actual results.
Claude Code can use the repository context to determine how the feature should fit into the existing application.
Step 3: Review the Changes with Hermes Agent
After implementation, provide Hermes with the relevant Git diff, code excerpts, and test results. This can help you obtain an additional review perspective.
Review this implementation for potential problems. Focus on: - Incorrect assumptions. - Missing validation. - Security weaknesses. - Edge cases. - Performance issues. - Backward compatibility. - Missing test coverage. Separate confirmed problems from suggestions. Do not claim that tests were executed unless their output is available.
This workflow can be performed manually. Automatic task handoff, file sharing, and coordination require a supported integration or custom automation; they do not happen automatically merely because both tools are installed.
5. Use Claude Code to Debug Existing Applications
Debugging is one of the most practical uses of AI coding agents. Instead of asking an agent to rewrite an entire module, provide the error message, expected behavior, actual behavior, and relevant code.
For example, suppose an AJAX request in a PHP application is expected to return JSON but instead returns unexpected output.
Investigate this bug without making changes initially. Expected behavior: The AJAX request should return valid JSON. Actual behavior: The response contains unexpected output. Please: 1. Trace the request from the frontend to the PHP handler. 2. Check for PHP warnings, notices, whitespace, or HTML output. 3. Examine the response headers and JSON encoding. 4. Identify the most likely root cause. 5. Suggest the smallest safe fix. Do not modify unrelated files.
Once the root cause has been identified, ask Claude Code to implement the smallest appropriate fix and run the relevant tests.
Hermes Agent can help organize the investigation, summarize evidence, or review the proposed solution when the necessary context is provided.
6. Improve Code Quality and Performance
Generating code quickly does not automatically produce efficient or maintainable software. Ask the coding agent to identify measurable problems instead of performing broad refactoring without a clear objective.
Use the following code review prompt:
Review the changed files for code quality and performance. Check for: - Duplicate logic. - Unnecessary database queries. - Inefficient loops. - Missing indexes when query evidence supports them. - Unnecessary JavaScript execution. - Repeated API calls. - Poor error handling. - Security and input-validation problems. For every confirmed issue, explain the impact and propose a minimal correction. Do not rewrite working code just to make it stylistically different.
For performance-sensitive changes, establish a baseline before making modifications. Run the relevant tests or benchmarks afterward and compare the results.
7. Create Reusable Project Instructions
Claude Code supports project-specific instructions through a CLAUDE.md file. You can use this file to document coding conventions, testing requirements, and security rules that should apply throughout the repository.
Create a CLAUDE.md file in the project root with instructions appropriate to your application.
# Project Development Guidelines
## General
- Inspect existing code before making changes.
- Follow the current project architecture.
- Keep changes focused and maintainable.
- Avoid unnecessary dependencies.
## Security
- Validate user-controlled input.
- Use parameterized SQL queries.
- Never commit credentials or API keys.
- Preserve existing authentication checks.
## Testing
- Run relevant tests after modifying code.
- Report failed tests and unresolved issues.
- Do not claim success without verification.
## Code Review
- Identify potential regressions.
- Check edge cases and error handling.
- Explain significant design decisions.Adjust these instructions to match the project’s programming languages, architecture, and development practices.
Hermes Agent can also use reusable skills and supported workflow mechanisms. Creating a Hermes skill is separate from configuring Claude Code project instructions, so follow the documentation for each tool rather than assuming their configuration files are interchangeable.
8. Automate Repetitive Development Tasks
Once you have a reliable manual workflow, consider automating recurring activities. This allows you to spend less time on routine work and more time on architecture, implementation, and problem-solving.
Examples of useful automation tasks include:
- Generating structured bug reports from application logs.
- Preparing code review checklists for pull requests.
- Summarizing changes between Git commits.
- Identifying missing test cases.
- Generating release notes from reviewed changes.
- Checking technical documentation against implementation details.
- Preparing repeatable maintenance reports.
Example: Generate Release Notes
Provide the relevant Git commit summaries and reviewed changes to your coding agent, then use a prompt such as:
Review the supplied Git commit summaries and diff. Prepare release notes containing: - New features. - Bug fixes. - Performance improvements. - Breaking changes. - Configuration or migration requirements. Include only changes supported by the supplied evidence. Do not invent completed work.
Start with workflows that produce reports for human review. Once the results are reliable, you can automate suitable tasks through supported Hermes tools, scripts, or integrations.
9. Use Git to Control AI-Generated Changes
Version control is essential when working with AI coding agents. Before making significant modifications, check the repository status and establish a clean checkpoint or use a separate development branch.
Inspect the current state with:
git status git diff git diff --check
After the agent makes changes, inspect the modified files and review the resulting diff.
git diff --stat git diff
Run the relevant tests and verify that the changes behave as expected before committing.
Replace the example path and commit message with values appropriate to your project. Review the staged changes before committing, and do not include secrets, generated files, or unrelated modifications.
10. Follow Security Best Practices
AI coding agents may read files, execute commands, and interact with configured tools depending on their permissions. Treat these capabilities carefully, especially when working with production applications or sensitive repositories.
- Use a development branch or disposable worktree for risky changes.
- Keep API keys, passwords, and production credentials out of prompts and source control.
- Review shell commands before approving their execution.
- Grant only the filesystem, network, and tool permissions required for the task.
- Review database migrations before applying them.
- Verify external scripts and package installation commands.
- Treat repository content, logs, and third-party instructions as untrusted input.
- Maintain backups and a reliable rollback procedure.
- Require explicit human approval for production deployments and other high-impact operations.
Avoid disabling permission checks simply to make the workflow faster. Carefully scoped permissions are a better approach to improving productivity without introducing unnecessary risk.
11. Common Problems and Troubleshooting
Hermes Agent Cannot Authenticate with Anthropic
Run the model configuration command again:
hermes model
Check the selected provider, authentication method, account access, and model availability. Consult the current Hermes provider documentation if the available options differ from those in this tutorial.
Claude Code Is Not Recognized
Run the following command:
claude --version
If the command is not recognized, verify that Claude Code is installed correctly and that its executable is available through your system’s PATH. Restart the terminal after making environment changes.
Hermes Agent and Claude Code Produce Different Answers
Different tools may use different models, instructions, context, or permissions. Provide the same relevant evidence and explicit requirements before comparing their results. Verify technical claims against the actual repository and test output.
The Agent Modifies Unrelated Files
Stop the workflow and inspect the Git diff. Identify unintended modifications and restore only those changes after confirming that doing so will not discard legitimate work. For the next attempt, define the task more narrowly and specify which files or directories may be changed.
Tests Fail After a Code Change
Examine the complete error output and reproduce the failure. Determine whether the problem comes from the implementation, test environment, dependencies, or incorrect assumptions. Avoid making repeated code changes without first identifying the likely cause.
12. Recommended Daily Workflow for Developers
For everyday development, follow a consistent process that combines planning, implementation, testing, and review.
- Understand: Ask Claude Code to inspect the repository and identify the relevant modules.
- Plan: Use Hermes Agent to organize requirements or prepare a reusable task checklist.
- Approve: Review the implementation plan and correct unsupported assumptions.
- Implement: Use Claude Code to make focused code changes.
- Test: Run the relevant tests and examine their actual output.
- Review: Use Hermes Agent or a separate review pass to identify overlooked risks.
- Verify: Inspect the Git diff and check for regressions.
- Commit: Commit only the intended, reviewed changes.
- Document: Update technical documentation where necessary.
- Improve: Turn successful recurring workflows into reusable instructions or skills.
The goal is not to make two AI agents repeat the same work. Use each tool where it adds value, and maintain a clear process for verifying the results.
Conclusion
Hermes Agent and Claude Code can complement each other in an AI-assisted software development workflow. Hermes Agent can help organize reusable agent tasks and supported integrations, while Claude Code provides a direct environment for understanding, editing, and testing software repositories.
Start with a small coding task, verify the model configuration, and test every change before expanding the workflow to debugging, code reviews, documentation, and development automation.
The most effective approach combines clear instructions, appropriate permissions, focused changes, version control, and independent verification. These practices help developers use AI coding agents to improve productivity without sacrificing reliability or maintainability.