> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.poolside.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Use Poolside models in Hermes

> Configure Hermes to use Poolside models.

Connect Hermes to Poolside-hosted inference or a self-managed model endpoint. Use OpenRouter if you manage model access through OpenRouter.

## Watch the setup video

This video shows the OpenRouter setup path.

<Frame>
  <iframe className="w-full aspect-video rounded-xl" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/49k4GGtt_Gg" title="Hermes setup video - embed" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowFullScreen />
</Frame>

## Prerequisites

* You have Hermes installed. For installation options, see [Install Hermes](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/getting-started/installation).
* You have one of the following:
  * A Poolside Platform API key. To create one, go to [platform.poolside.ai](https://platform.poolside.ai/).
  * The base URL for your self-managed model endpoint, and its API key if the endpoint requires one.
  * An OpenRouter API key with access to Poolside models. To create one, go to [OpenRouter API keys](https://openrouter.ai/keys).

## Steps

1. In a terminal outside an active Hermes session, run:

   ```bash theme={null}
   hermes model
   ```

2. Configure your access method.

   <Tabs>
     <Tab title="Poolside Platform">
       1. Choose **Custom endpoint (enter URL manually)**.

       2. Enter `https://inference.poolside.ai/v1` as the base URL.

       3. Enter your Poolside Platform API key.

       4. Select or enter a Poolside model.

          To find model IDs for your access method, see [List available models](/api/openai-api-examples#list-available-models).

       5. Complete the remaining prompts.
     </Tab>

     <Tab title="Self-managed Poolside inference">
       <Note>
         If you run Poolside model inference on your own infrastructure, use the model's OpenAI-compatible endpoint at `https://<model-hostname>/v1`. Use the API key configured for the endpoint, if it requires one.
       </Note>

       1. Choose **Custom endpoint (enter URL manually)**.

       2. Enter `https://<model-hostname>/v1` as the base URL.

       3. Enter the API key configured for the model endpoint. If the endpoint does not validate API keys, enter any non-empty value, such as `local-test`.

       4. Select or enter a Poolside model.

          To find model IDs for your access method, see [List available models](/api/openai-api-examples#list-available-models).

       5. Complete the remaining prompts.
     </Tab>

     <Tab title="OpenRouter">
       1. Choose **OpenRouter**.
       2. Enter your OpenRouter API key.
       3. Choose **Enter custom model name**.
       4. Enter an ID from [Poolside models on OpenRouter](https://openrouter.ai/poolside).
       5. Complete the remaining prompts.
     </Tab>
   </Tabs>

3. Start a Hermes session and send a codebase question to confirm Hermes responds with the selected Poolside model.

## Related resources

* [Coding agents](/tools#coding-agents)
* [Poolside API](/api/overview)
* [Supported models](/get-started/supported-models)
* [OpenRouter API keys](https://openrouter.ai/keys)
* [Poolside models on OpenRouter](https://openrouter.ai/poolside)
* [Hermes provider documentation](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/integrations/providers)
* [Hermes documentation](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/)