Here’s the cleanest way to do it. Want to connect Hermes agent to Claude Code? The best way is to run both inside one agent operating system, where they share a memory, get orchestrated as a team, and back each other up. You can even run Claude Code free on local or free APIs.
Here’s how the connection works and how to set it up.
Last updated: July 2026.
Key takeaways
- Hermes and Claude Code are both CLIs — plug them into one agent OS and they work together.
- Paperclip orchestrates them as a team (Claude, OpenClaw and Hermes) on shared tasks.
- A shared memory system means both know your context, so you get better results.
- Free Claude Code: run the Claude Code harness on local or free APIs — built into the AI Profit Boardroom Agent OS.
Why Connect Hermes and Claude Code?
They’re good at different things. Hermes is a free, open-source agent that’s always on and great at orchestration and long-horizon work. Claude Code is Anthropic’s coding CLI — excellent at writing and editing code. Connect them and you get the reliability of Claude Code with the always-on, agentic power of Hermes.
It’s not really Hermes versus Claude Code — it’s both, working as a team, inside one system.
How to Connect Them (in an Agent OS)
- Plug both CLIs into your agent OS — Hermes and Claude Code side by side.
- Add a shared memory system (I use Obsidian) so both read the same context.
- Orchestrate with Paperclip — give a task and let Claude, OpenClaw and Hermes complete it as a team, then view the result in a gallery.
- Switch freely — if Claude goes down, hand the work to Hermes without missing a beat.
This is the same ‘system, not model’ approach I cover in my multi-agent orchestration guide.
Free Claude Code: Run It on Local or Free APIs
Here’s the part people love. There’s an open-source project that lets you run the Claude Code harness on local or free APIs — so you get the Claude Code experience without paying for API tokens. You still get the workflow; you just point it at a free model.
Two ways to set it up:
| Route | How | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub (DIY) | Grab the open-source free Claude Code project | Full control, hands-on |
| Agent OS (ready) | Already plugged in — voice control, chat + workspace | Speed, no setup |
Orchestrate Hermes + Claude Code as a Team
Once both are connected, Paperclip lets you run them as an organisation of agents that work 24/7. Drop in a task, and they complete it together — you get a checklist of what was done and can view everything in one gallery. It’s the cleanest way to get multiple agents actually cooperating rather than stepping on each other.
Pair this with my Hermes for coding guide and agentic OS for Hermes guide for the full picture.
Hermes vs Claude Code: When to Use Each
Connecting them doesn’t mean using them for the same thing. A rough guide once both are in your system:
| Use case | Reach for |
|---|---|
| Heavy, polished coding | Claude Code |
| Always-on / scheduled tasks | Hermes |
| Orchestrating several agents | Hermes + Paperclip |
| Free / local coding | Free Claude Code |
| Long-horizon autonomous jobs | Hermes |
The whole point of connecting them is that you don’t have to choose — you route each job to whichever agent is best for it.
Never Get Stuck When Claude Goes Down
A real benefit of connecting the two is resilience. Models go down — even Fable 5 got taken down for a while. When Hermes and Claude Code both live in your system, an outage on one just means you switch to the other. You’re never fully blocked, which matters a lot when you rely on this daily.
Get It Pre-Connected
The Agent OS inside the AI Profit Boardroom has Hermes, Claude Code and free Claude Code already connected — with Paperclip orchestration and a memory system — plus a zip installer and daily tutorials.
New here? Start free with my AI course and community (plus 1,000+ AI agents), or grab a free strategy session.
FAQ
How do I connect Hermes agent to Claude Code?
Plug both CLIs into one agent OS, add a shared memory system, and orchestrate them with Paperclip so they work as a team. If one goes down, you switch to the other.
Can I run Claude Code for free?
Yes — an open-source project runs the Claude Code harness on local or free APIs, so you get the Claude Code experience without API costs. It’s built into the Agent OS or available on GitHub.
Do Hermes and Claude Code compete?
No — they’re complementary. Claude Code is a strong coding CLI; Hermes is an always-on orchestrator. Connected, they cover each other’s weaknesses.
How do they share context?
Through a shared memory system like Obsidian. Both agents read the same second brain, so they know what you’ve worked on and give more consistent results.
The Bottom Line
To connect Hermes agent to Claude Code, run both in one agent OS with shared memory and Paperclip orchestration — and use free Claude Code on local APIs. Get it pre-connected in the AI Profit Boardroom.
