Overview
SOUL.md is loaded when Hermes interacts with the user. It can specify tone, purpose, response style, and behavioral preferences. Examples include leading with the answer, avoiding long generic explanations, expressing an opinion, supporting conclusions with evidence, using short inline links, or adopting a more informal voice.
USER.md functions as an identity record. It can contain background, current priorities, communication preferences, working habits, recurring responsibilities, and personal details that affect assistance. The easiest way to populate it is to have Hermes conduct an interview. The agent asks structured questions, the user answers, and Hermes records the resulting information for later use.
A profile packages identity together with operational settings. Each profile can have its own:
- Soul and user information.
- Primary model and reasoning level.
- Memory.
- Skills.
- Communication channels.
- Connectors and tools.
A new profile can be cloned from an existing profile or started from a blank state. Cloning is useful when the new role should inherit a proven baseline. Starting blank is useful when strict separation is more important.