# Hermes setup

Connect Hermes Agent to Watchline with the first-party platform plugin.

Published: 2026-05-19
Updated: 2026-05-23
Canonical: https://watch.qordinate.ai/docs/hermes
Markdown: https://watch.qordinate.ai/docs/hermes.md


Image: https://watch.qordinate.ai/images/docs/watchline-hermes.png

Tags:
- Hermes Agent
- plugin
- MCP
- pull delivery

Open the Watchline dashboard, choose Hermes, then copy the generated setup commands. Watchline prepares pull delivery automatically for first-run setup, so you do not need to manage channels by hand.

Watchline's hosted MCP server provides watch-management tools, and the plugin registers a Hermes gateway platform that delivers matched events into your local agent.

## Prerequisites

You need a Watchline account and a working Hermes Agent workspace. The dashboard generates the exact values for your API key and `channel_id`.

## Install the plugin

The plugin gives Hermes a local pull delivery adapter. Use the commands from the Hermes tab in the dashboard whenever possible.

```bash
hermes plugins install qordinate-ai/watchline-hermes-plugin --enable
```

```bash
hermes watchline configure \
  --api-key wl_... \
  --channel-id ch_... \
  --user-id me \
  --api-base-url https://api.watch.qordinate.ai
```

```bash
hermes gateway restart
```

`hermes watchline configure` writes two config entries:

- `gateway.platforms.watchline` for pull delivery.
- `mcp_servers.watchline` for `start_watch`, `continue_watch`, `list_watches`, `pause_watch`, `resume_watch`, and `delete_watch`.

The generated MCP server uses the static URL `https://api.watch.qordinate.ai/v1/mcp`. The API key, channel ID, and user ID are sent as headers.

## Register a watch from Hermes

Ask Hermes to use Watchline for a precise event:

```text
Use the Watchline start_watch tool to watch Gmail for emails from my boss.
Ask me for the sender email address if needed.
```

Watch setup is stateful. If Watchline needs a missing detail or OAuth connection, the tool returns the next message Hermes should show you. Hermes should call `continue_watch` after you answer or complete the connection step.

## Delivery model

Most local Hermes workspaces do not have a public webhook URL. The plugin keeps the workspace private by polling Watchline for pending deliveries. It acknowledges a delivery only after Hermes accepts it.

## Troubleshooting

If Hermes cannot see the tools, run `hermes mcp list`, confirm `watchline` is enabled, and restart the gateway.

If no events arrive, refresh the Watchline dashboard and confirm it shows an API key and channel ID in the Hermes setup. If the setup panel keeps saying it is preparing, sign out and back in, then contact Watchline support if it still does not clear.