---
sidebar_position: 9
sidebar_label: "Build a Plugin"
title: "Build a Hermes Plugin"
description: "Step-by-step guide to building a complete Hermes plugin with tools, hooks, data files, and skills"
---

# Build a Hermes Plugin

This guide walks through building a complete Hermes plugin from scratch. By the end you'll have a working plugin with multiple tools, lifecycle hooks, shipped data files, and a bundled skill — everything the plugin system supports.

:::info Not sure which guide you need?
Hermes has several distinct pluggable interfaces — some use Python `register_*` APIs, others are config-driven or drop-in directories. Use this map first:

| If you want to add… | Read |
|---|---|
| Custom tools, hooks, slash commands, skills, or CLI subcommands | **This guide** (the general plugin surface) |
| An **LLM / inference backend** (new provider) | [Model Provider Plugins](/developer-guide/model-provider-plugin) |
| A **gateway channel** (Discord/Telegram/IRC/Teams/etc.) | [Adding Platform Adapters](/developer-guide/adding-platform-adapters) |
| A **memory backend** (Honcho/Mem0/Supermemory/etc.) | [Memory Provider Plugins](/developer-guide/memory-provider-plugin) |
| A **context-compression engine** | [Context Engine Plugins](/developer-guide/context-engine-plugin) |
| An **image-generation backend** | [Image Generation Provider Plugins](/developer-guide/image-gen-provider-plugin) |
| A **video-generation backend** | [Video Generation Provider Plugins](/developer-guide/video-gen-provider-plugin) |
| A **TTS backend** (any CLI — Piper, VoxCPM, Kokoro, voice cloning, …) | [TTS custom command providers](/user-guide/features/tts#custom-command-providers) — config-driven, no Python needed |
| An **STT backend** (custom whisper / ASR CLI) | [Voice Message Transcription](/user-guide/features/tts#voice-message-transcription-stt) — set `HERMES_LOCAL_STT_COMMAND` to a shell template |
| **External tools via MCP** (filesystem, GitHub, Linear, any MCP server) | [MCP](/user-guide/features/mcp) — declare `mcp_servers.<name>` in `config.yaml` |
| **Gateway event hooks** (fire on startup, session events, commands) | [Event Hooks](/user-guide/features/hooks#gateway-event-hooks) — drop `HOOK.yaml` + `handler.py` into `~/.hermes/hooks/<name>/` |
| **Shell hooks** (run a shell command on events) | [Shell Hooks](/user-guide/features/hooks#shell-hooks) — declare under `hooks:` in `config.yaml` |
| **Additional skill sources** (custom GitHub repos, private skill indexes) | [Skills](/user-guide/features/skills) — `hermes skills tap add <repo>` · [Publishing a tap](/user-guide/features/skills#publishing-a-custom-skill-tap) |
| A first-class **core** inference provider (not a plugin) | [Adding Providers](/developer-guide/adding-providers) |

See the full [Pluggable interfaces table](/user-guide/features/plugins#pluggable-interfaces--where-to-go-for-each) for a consolidated view of every extension surface including config-driven (TTS, STT, MCP, shell hooks) and drop-in directory (gateway hooks) styles.
:::

## What you're building

A **calculator** plugin with two tools:
- `calculate` — evaluate math expressions (`2**16`, `sqrt(144)`, `pi * 5**2`)
- `unit_convert` — convert between units (`100 F → 37.78 C`, `5 km → 3.11 mi`)

Plus a hook that logs every tool call, and a bundled skill file.

## Step 1: Create the plugin directory

```bash
mkdir -p ~/.hermes/plugins/calculator
cd ~/.hermes/plugins/calculator
```

## Step 2: Write the manifest

Create `plugin.yaml`:

```yaml
name: calculator
version: 1.0.0
description: Math calculator — evaluate expressions and convert units
provides_tools:
  - calculate
  - unit_convert
provides_hooks:
  - post_tool_call
```

This tells Hermes: "I'm a plugin called calculator, I provide tools and hooks." The `provides_tools` and `provides_hooks` fields are lists of what the plugin registers.

Optional fields you could add:
```yaml
author: Your Name
requires_env:          # gate loading on env vars; prompted during install
  - SOME_API_KEY       # simple format — plugin disabled if missing
  - name: OTHER_KEY    # rich format — shows description/url during install
    description: "Key for the Other service"
    url: "https://other.com/keys"
    secret: true
```

## Step 3: Write the tool schemas

Create `schemas.py` — this is what the LLM reads to decide when to call your tools:

```python
"""Tool schemas — what the LLM sees."""

CALCULATE = {
    "name": "calculate",
    "description": (
        "Evaluate a mathematical expression and return the result. "
        "Supports arithmetic (+, -, *, /, **), functions (sqrt, sin, cos, "
        "log, abs, round, floor, ceil), and constants (pi, e). "
        "Use this for any math the user asks about."
    ),
    "parameters": {
        "type": "object",
        "properties": {
            "expression": {
                "type": "string",
                "description": "Math expression to evaluate (e.g., '2**10', 'sqrt(144)')",
            },
        },
        "required": ["expression"],
    },
}

UNIT_CONVERT = {
    "name": "unit_convert",
    "description": (
        "Convert a value between units. Supports length (m, km, mi, ft, in), "
        "weight (kg, lb, oz, g), temperature (C, F, K), data (B, KB, MB, GB, TB), "
        "and time (s, min, hr, day)."
    ),
    "parameters": {
        "type": "object",
        "properties": {
            "value": {
                "type": "number",
                "description": "The numeric value to convert",
            },
            "from_unit": {
                "type": "string",
                "description": "Source unit (e.g., 'km', 'lb', 'F', 'GB')",
            },
            "to_unit": {
                "type": "string",
                "description": "Target unit (e.g., 'mi', 'kg', 'C', 'MB')",
            },
        },
        "required": ["value", "from_unit", "to_unit"],
    },
}
```

**Why schemas matter:** The `description` field is how the LLM decides when to use your tool. Be specific about what it does and when to use it. The `parameters` define what arguments the LLM passes.

## Step 4: Write the tool handlers

Create `tools.py` — this is the code that actually executes when the LLM calls your tools:

```python
"""Tool handlers — the code that runs when the LLM calls each tool."""

import json
import math

# Safe globals for expression evaluation — no file/network access
_SAFE_MATH = {
    "abs": abs, "round": round, "min": min, "max": max,
    "pow": pow, "sqrt": math.sqrt, "sin": math.sin, "cos": math.cos,
    "tan": math.tan, "log": math.log, "log2": math.log2, "log10": math.log10,
    "floor": math.floor, "ceil": math.ceil,
    "pi": math.pi, "e": math.e,
    "factorial": math.factorial,
}


def calculate(args: dict, **kwargs) -> str:
    """Evaluate a math expression safely.

    Rules for handlers:
    1. Receive args (dict) — the parameters the LLM passed
    2. Do the work
    3. Return a JSON string — ALWAYS, even on error
    4. Accept **kwargs for forward compatibility
    """
    expression = args.get("expression", "").strip()
    if not expression:
        return json.dumps({"error": "No expression provided"})

    try:
        result = eval(expression, {"__builtins__": {}}, _SAFE_MATH)
        return json.dumps({"expression": expression, "result": result})
    except ZeroDivisionError:
        return json.dumps({"expression": expression, "error": "Division by zero"})
    except Exception as e:
        return json.dumps({"expression": expression, "error": f"Invalid: {e}"})


# Conversion tables — values are in base units
_LENGTH = {"m": 1, "km": 1000, "mi": 1609.34, "ft": 0.3048, "in": 0.0254, "cm": 0.01}
_WEIGHT = {"kg": 1, "g": 0.001, "lb": 0.453592, "oz": 0.0283495}
_DATA = {"B": 1, "KB": 1024, "MB": 1024**2, "GB": 1024**3, "TB": 1024**4}
_TIME = {"s": 1, "ms": 0.001, "min": 60, "hr": 3600, "day": 86400}


def _convert_temp(value, from_u, to_u):
    # Normalize to Celsius
    c = {"F": (value - 32) * 5/9, "K": value - 273.15}.get(from_u, value)
    # Convert to target
    return {"F": c * 9/5 + 32, "K": c + 273.15}.get(to_u, c)


def unit_convert(args: dict, **kwargs) -> str:
    """Convert between units."""
    value = args.get("value")
    from_unit = args.get("from_unit", "").strip()
    to_unit = args.get("to_unit", "").strip()

    if value is None or not from_unit or not to_unit:
        return json.dumps({"error": "Need value, from_unit, and to_unit"})

    try:
        # Temperature
        if from_unit.upper() in {"C","F","K"} and to_unit.upper() in {"C","F","K"}:
            result = _convert_temp(float(value), from_unit.upper(), to_unit.upper())
            return json.dumps({"input": f"{value} {from_unit}", "result": round(result, 4),
                             "output": f"{round(result, 4)} {to_unit}"})

        # Ratio-based conversions
        for table in (_LENGTH, _WEIGHT, _DATA, _TIME):
            lc = {k.lower(): v for k, v in table.items()}
            if from_unit.lower() in lc and to_unit.lower() in lc:
                result = float(value) * lc[from_unit.lower()] / lc[to_unit.lower()]
                return json.dumps({"input": f"{value} {from_unit}",
                                 "result": round(result, 6),
                                 "output": f"{round(result, 6)} {to_unit}"})

        return json.dumps({"error": f"Cannot convert {from_unit} → {to_unit}"})
    except Exception as e:
        return json.dumps({"error": f"Conversion failed: {e}"})
```

**Key rules for handlers:**
1. **Signature:** `def my_handler(args: dict, **kwargs) -> str`
2. **Return:** Always a JSON string. Success and errors alike.
3. **Never raise:** Catch all exceptions, return error JSON instead.
4. **Accept `**kwargs`:** Hermes may pass additional context in the future.

## Step 5: Write the registration

Create `__init__.py` — this wires schemas to handlers:

```python
"""Calculator plugin — registration."""

import logging

from . import schemas, tools

logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)

# Track tool usage via hooks
_call_log = []

def _on_post_tool_call(tool_name, args, result, task_id, **kwargs):
    """Hook: runs after every tool call (not just ours)."""
    _call_log.append({"tool": tool_name, "session": task_id})
    if len(_call_log) > 100:
        _call_log.pop(0)
    logger.debug("Tool called: %s (session %s)", tool_name, task_id)


def register(ctx):
    """Wire schemas to handlers and register hooks."""
    ctx.register_tool(name="calculate",    toolset="calculator",
                      schema=schemas.CALCULATE,    handler=tools.calculate)
    ctx.register_tool(name="unit_convert", toolset="calculator",
                      schema=schemas.UNIT_CONVERT, handler=tools.unit_convert)

    # This hook fires for ALL tool calls, not just ours
    ctx.register_hook("post_tool_call", _on_post_tool_call)
```

**What `register()` does:**
- Called exactly once at startup
- `ctx.register_tool()` puts your tool in the registry — the model sees it immediately
- `ctx.register_hook()` subscribes to lifecycle events
- `ctx.register_cli_command()` registers a CLI subcommand (e.g. `hermes my-plugin <subcommand>`)
- `ctx.register_command()` registers an in-session slash command (e.g. `/myplugin <args>` inside CLI / gateway chat) — see [Register slash commands](#register-slash-commands) below
- `ctx.dispatch_tool(name, arguments)` — call any other tool (built-in or from another plugin) with the parent agent's context (approvals, credentials, task_id) wired up automatically. Useful from slash-command handlers that need to invoke `terminal`, `read_file`, or any other tool as if the model had called it directly.
- If this function crashes, the plugin is disabled but Hermes continues fine

**`dispatch_tool` example — a slash command that runs a tool:**

```python
def handle_scan(ctx, raw_args: str):
    """Implement /scan by invoking the terminal tool through the registry."""
    result = ctx.dispatch_tool("terminal", {"command": f"find . -name '{raw_args}'"})
    return result  # returned to the caller's chat UI

def register(ctx):
    # Handlers receive a single raw_args string; close over ctx via a lambda.
    ctx.register_command(
        "scan",
        lambda raw: handle_scan(ctx, raw),
        description="Find files matching a glob",
    )
```

The dispatched tool goes through the normal approval, redaction, and budget pipelines — it's a real tool invocation, not a shortcut around them.

## Step 6: Test it

Start Hermes:

```bash
hermes
```

You should see `calculator: calculate, unit_convert` in the banner's tool list.

Try these prompts:
```
What's 2 to the power of 16?
Convert 100 fahrenheit to celsius
What's the square root of 2 times pi?
How many gigabytes is 1.5 terabytes?
```

Check plugin status:
```
/plugins
```

Output:
```
Plugins (1):
  ✓ calculator v1.0.0 (2 tools, 1 hooks)
```

### Debugging plugin discovery

If your plugin doesn't show up — or shows up but isn't loading — set `HERMES_PLUGINS_DEBUG=1` to get verbose discovery logs on stderr:

```bash
HERMES_PLUGINS_DEBUG=1 hermes plugins list
```

You'll see, for every plugin source (bundled, user, project, entry-points):

- which directories were scanned and how many manifests each yielded
- per manifest: resolved key, name, kind, source, on-disk path
- skip reasons: `disabled via config`, `not enabled in config`, `exclusive plugin`, `no plugin.yaml, depth cap reached`
- on load: the plugin being imported, plus a one-line summary of what `register(ctx)` registered (tools, hooks, slash commands, CLI commands)
- on parse failure: a full traceback for the exception (YAML scanner errors, etc.)
- on `register()` failure: a full traceback pointing at the line in your `__init__.py` that raised

The same logs are always written to `~/.hermes/logs/agent.log` at WARNING level (failures only) and DEBUG level (everything) when the env var is set. So if you can't run with the env var (e.g. from inside the gateway), tail the log file instead:

```bash
hermes logs --level WARNING | grep -i plugin
```

Common reasons a plugin doesn't appear:

- **Not enabled in config** — plugins are opt-in. Run `hermes plugins enable <name>` (the name comes from the `plugins list` output, which can be `<category>/<plugin>` for nested layouts).
- **Wrong directory layout** — must be `~/.hermes/plugins/<plugin-name>/plugin.yaml` (flat) or `~/.hermes/plugins/<category>/<plugin-name>/plugin.yaml` (one level of category nesting, max). Anything deeper is ignored.
- **Missing `__init__.py`** — the plugin directory needs both `plugin.yaml` and `__init__.py` with a `register(ctx)` function.
- **Wrong `kind`** — gateway adapters need `kind: platform` in their manifest. Memory providers are auto-detected as `kind: exclusive` and routed through the `memory.provider` config instead of `plugins.enabled`.

## Your plugin's final structure

```
~/.hermes/plugins/calculator/
├── plugin.yaml      # "I'm calculator, I provide tools and hooks"
├── __init__.py      # Wiring: schemas → handlers, register hooks
├── schemas.py       # What the LLM reads (descriptions + parameter specs)
└── tools.py         # What runs (calculate, unit_convert functions)
```

Four files, clear separation:
- **Manifest** declares what the plugin is
- **Schemas** describe tools for the LLM
- **Handlers** implement the actual logic
- **Registration** connects everything

## What else can plugins do?

### Ship data files

Put any files in your plugin directory and read them at import time:

```python
# In tools.py or __init__.py
from pathlib import Path

_PLUGIN_DIR = Path(__file__).parent
_DATA_FILE = _PLUGIN_DIR / "data" / "languages.yaml"

with open(_DATA_FILE) as f:
    _DATA = yaml.safe_load(f)
```

### Bundle skills

Plugins can ship skill files that the agent loads via `skill_view("plugin:skill")`. Register them in your `__init__.py`:

```
~/.hermes/plugins/my-plugin/
├── __init__.py
├── plugin.yaml
└── skills/
    ├── my-workflow/
    │   └── SKILL.md
    └── my-checklist/
        └── SKILL.md
```

```python
from pathlib import Path

def register(ctx):
    skills_dir = Path(__file__).parent / "skills"
    for child in sorted(skills_dir.iterdir()):
        skill_md = child / "SKILL.md"
        if child.is_dir() and skill_md.exists():
            ctx.register_skill(child.name, skill_md)
```

The agent can now load your skills with their namespaced name:

```python
skill_view("my-plugin:my-workflow")   # → plugin's version
skill_view("my-workflow")              # → built-in version (unchanged)
```

**Key properties:**
- Plugin skills are **read-only** — they don't enter `~/.hermes/skills/` and can't be edited via `skill_manage`.
- Plugin skills are **not** listed in the system prompt's `<available_skills>` index — they're opt-in explicit loads.
- Bare skill names are unaffected — the namespace prevents collisions with built-in skills.
- When the agent loads a plugin skill, a bundle context banner is prepended listing sibling skills from the same plugin.

:::tip Legacy pattern
The old `shutil.copy2` pattern (copying a skill into `~/.hermes/skills/`) still works but creates name collision risk with built-in skills. Prefer `ctx.register_skill()` for new plugins.
:::

### Gate on environment variables

If your plugin needs an API key:

```yaml
# plugin.yaml — simple format (backwards-compatible)
requires_env:
  - WEATHER_API_KEY
```

If `WEATHER_API_KEY` isn't set, the plugin is disabled with a clear message. No crash, no error in the agent — just "Plugin weather disabled (missing: WEATHER_API_KEY)".

When users run `hermes plugins install`, they're **prompted interactively** for any missing `requires_env` variables. Values are saved to `.env` automatically.

For a better install experience, use the rich format with descriptions and signup URLs:

```yaml
# plugin.yaml — rich format
requires_env:
  - name: WEATHER_API_KEY
    description: "API key for OpenWeather"
    url: "https://openweathermap.org/api"
    secret: true
```

| Field | Required | Description |
|-------|----------|-------------|
| `name` | Yes | Environment variable name |
| `description` | No | Shown to user during install prompt |
| `url` | No | Where to get the credential |
| `secret` | No | If `true`, input is hidden (like a password field) |

Both formats can be mixed in the same list. Already-set variables are skipped silently.

### Lazy-install optional Python dependencies

If your plugin wraps an SDK that not every user will have installed (a vendor SDK, a heavy ML lib, a platform-specific package), don't `import` it at the top of the module. Use the `tools.lazy_deps.ensure(...)` helper inside the tool handler — Hermes will install the package on first use, gated by the user's `security.allow_lazy_installs` config.

```python
# tools.py
from tools.lazy_deps import ensure, FeatureUnavailable

def my_tool_handler(args, **kwargs):
    try:
        ensure("my-plugin.my-backend")   # key must be in LAZY_DEPS
    except FeatureUnavailable as exc:
        return {"error": str(exc)}

    import my_backend_sdk   # safe now
    ...
```

Two rules from the security model in `tools/lazy_deps.py`:

| Rule | Why |
|---|---|
| Your feature key must appear in the in-tree `LAZY_DEPS` allowlist | Prevents a malicious config from coaxing Hermes into installing arbitrary packages — only specs Hermes itself ships are eligible |
| Specs are PyPI-by-name only | No `--index-url`, `git+https://`, or file: paths. Pin versions with PEP 440 (`"my-sdk>=1.2,<2"`) inside the allowlist entry |

For third-party plugins distributed via pip, declare the optional deps as `[project.optional-dependencies]` extras in your own `pyproject.toml` and tell users to `pip install your-plugin[backend]` — that path doesn't go through `lazy_deps`. The lazy-install dance is most useful for **bundled** plugins where shipping a hard dependency on every install would bloat the base Hermes footprint.

When `security.allow_lazy_installs: false` is set globally, `ensure()` raises `FeatureUnavailable` immediately with a remediation hint — your plugin should catch it and degrade gracefully (return an error result, not crash the tool loop).



### Thread-safe lazy singletons

Plugins often cache an expensive object — an SDK client, an HTTP session, a connection pool — in a module-level variable built on first use:

```python
_client = None

def get_client():
    global _client
    if _client is not None:
        return _client
    _client = ExpensiveClient(...)   # ← TOCTOU race
    return _client
```

This is a footgun. Hermes runs multiple threads in one process (delegated tool calls, background workers, the self-improvement fork), so two threads can hit `get_client()` before `_client` is set, **both** pass the `is not None` check, **both** run the expensive build, and the second write clobbers the first — leaking whatever resource the loser opened (connection, file handle, background thread).

Don't hand-roll the lock. Use the helpers in `plugins/plugin_utils.py`:

```python
from plugins.plugin_utils import lazy_singleton, SingletonSlot

# Zero-arg accessor → decorate it:
@lazy_singleton
def get_client():
    return ExpensiveClient(load_config())   # runs exactly once

client = get_client()    # safe across threads
get_client.reset()       # drop the instance (tests / teardown)


# Accessor that takes a build argument → use a slot:
_slot: SingletonSlot = SingletonSlot()

def get_client(config=None):
    return _slot.get(lambda: ExpensiveClient(resolve(config)))

def reset_client():
    _slot.reset()
```

Both serialize concurrent first calls with double-checked locking and run the factory at most once. If the factory raises, nothing is cached and the next call retries. The honcho memory plugin (`plugins/memory/honcho/client.py`) is the reference consumer.

> Rule of thumb: any time you write `global _something` followed by a `is None` check and a build, reach for one of these instead.



### Conditional tool availability

For tools that depend on optional libraries:

```python
ctx.register_tool(
    name="my_tool",
    schema={...},
    handler=my_handler,
    check_fn=lambda: _has_optional_lib(),  # False = tool hidden from model
)
```

### Overriding a built-in tool

To replace a built-in tool with your own implementation (e.g. swap the
default browser tool for a headed-Chrome CDP backend, or replace
`web_search` with a custom corporate index), pass `override=True`:

```python
def register(ctx):
    ctx.register_tool(
        name="browser_navigate",             # same name as the built-in
        toolset="plugin_my_browser",         # your own toolset namespace
        schema={...},
        handler=my_custom_navigate,
        override=True,                       # explicit opt-in
    )
```

Without `override=True`, the registry rejects any registration that would
shadow an existing tool from a different toolset — this prevents
accidental overwrites. The override is logged at INFO level so it's
auditable in `~/.hermes/logs/agent.log`. Plugins load after built-in
tools, so the registration order is correct: your handler replaces the
built-in one.

### Register multiple hooks

```python
def register(ctx):
    ctx.register_hook("pre_tool_call", before_any_tool)
    ctx.register_hook("post_tool_call", after_any_tool)
    ctx.register_hook("pre_llm_call", inject_memory)
    ctx.register_hook("on_session_start", on_new_session)
    ctx.register_hook("on_session_end", on_session_end)
```

### Hook reference

Each hook is documented in full on the **[Event Hooks reference](/user-guide/features/hooks#plugin-hooks)** — callback signatures, parameter tables, exactly when each fires, and examples. Here's the summary:

| Hook | Fires when | Callback signature | Returns |
|------|-----------|-------------------|---------|
| [`pre_tool_call`](/user-guide/features/hooks#pre_tool_call) | Before any tool executes | `tool_name: str, args: dict, task_id: str` | ignored |
| [`post_tool_call`](/user-guide/features/hooks#post_tool_call) | After any tool returns | `tool_name: str, args: dict, result: str, task_id: str, duration_ms: int` | ignored |
| [`pre_llm_call`](/user-guide/features/hooks#pre_llm_call) | Once per turn, before the tool-calling loop | `session_id: str, user_message: str, conversation_history: list, is_first_turn: bool, model: str, platform: str` | [context injection](#pre_llm_call-context-injection) |
| [`post_llm_call`](/user-guide/features/hooks#post_llm_call) | Once per turn, after the tool-calling loop (successful turns only) | `session_id: str, user_message: str, assistant_response: str, conversation_history: list, model: str, platform: str` | ignored |
| [`on_session_start`](/user-guide/features/hooks#on_session_start) | New session created (first turn only) | `session_id: str, model: str, platform: str` | ignored |
| [`on_session_end`](/user-guide/features/hooks#on_session_end) | End of every `run_conversation` call + CLI exit | `session_id: str, completed: bool, interrupted: bool, model: str, platform: str` | ignored |
| [`on_session_finalize`](/user-guide/features/hooks#on_session_finalize) | CLI/gateway tears down an active session | `session_id: str \| None, platform: str` | ignored |
| [`on_session_reset`](/user-guide/features/hooks#on_session_reset) | Gateway swaps in a new session key (`/new`, `/reset`) | `session_id: str, platform: str` | ignored |

Most hooks are fire-and-forget observers — their return values are ignored. The exception is `pre_llm_call`, which can inject context into the conversation.

All callbacks should accept `**kwargs` for forward compatibility. If a hook callback crashes, it's logged and skipped. Other hooks and the agent continue normally.

### `pre_llm_call` context injection

This is the only hook whose return value matters. When a `pre_llm_call` callback returns a dict with a `"context"` key (or a plain string), Hermes injects that text into the **current turn's user message**. This is the mechanism for memory plugins, RAG integrations, guardrails, and any plugin that needs to provide the model with additional context.

#### Return format

```python
# Dict with context key
return {"context": "Recalled memories:\n- User prefers dark mode\n- Last project: hermes-agent"}

# Plain string (equivalent to the dict form above)
return "Recalled memories:\n- User prefers dark mode"

# Return None or don't return → no injection (observer-only)
return None
```

Any non-None, non-empty return with a `"context"` key (or a plain non-empty string) is collected and appended to the user message for the current turn.

#### How injection works

Injected context is appended to the **user message**, not the system prompt. This is a deliberate design choice:

- **Prompt cache preservation** — the system prompt stays identical across turns. Anthropic and OpenRouter cache the system prompt prefix, so keeping it stable saves 75%+ on input tokens in multi-turn conversations. If plugins modified the system prompt, every turn would be a cache miss.
- **Ephemeral** — the injection happens at API call time only. The original user message in the conversation history is never mutated, and nothing is persisted to the session database.
- **The system prompt is Hermes's territory** — it contains model-specific guidance, tool enforcement rules, personality instructions, and cached skill content. Plugins contribute context alongside the user's input, not by altering the agent's core instructions.

#### Example: Memory recall plugin

```python
"""Memory plugin — recalls relevant context from a vector store."""

import httpx

MEMORY_API = "https://your-memory-api.example.com"

def recall_context(session_id, user_message, is_first_turn, **kwargs):
    """Called before each LLM turn. Returns recalled memories."""
    try:
        resp = httpx.post(f"{MEMORY_API}/recall", json={
            "session_id": session_id,
            "query": user_message,
        }, timeout=3)
        memories = resp.json().get("results", [])
        if not memories:
            return None  # nothing to inject

        text = "Recalled context from previous sessions:\n"
        text += "\n".join(f"- {m['text']}" for m in memories)
        return {"context": text}
    except Exception:
        return None  # fail silently, don't break the agent

def register(ctx):
    ctx.register_hook("pre_llm_call", recall_context)
```

#### Example: Guardrails plugin

```python
"""Guardrails plugin — enforces content policies."""

POLICY = """You MUST follow these content policies for this session:
- Never generate code that accesses the filesystem outside the working directory
- Always warn before executing destructive operations
- Refuse requests involving personal data extraction"""

def inject_guardrails(**kwargs):
    """Injects policy text into every turn."""
    return {"context": POLICY}

def register(ctx):
    ctx.register_hook("pre_llm_call", inject_guardrails)
```

#### Example: Observer-only hook (no injection)

```python
"""Analytics plugin — tracks turn metadata without injecting context."""

import logging
logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)

def log_turn(session_id, user_message, model, is_first_turn, **kwargs):
    """Fires before each LLM call. Returns None — no context injected."""
    logger.info("Turn: session=%s model=%s first=%s msg_len=%d",
                session_id, model, is_first_turn, len(user_message or ""))
    # No return → no injection

def register(ctx):
    ctx.register_hook("pre_llm_call", log_turn)
```

#### Multiple plugins returning context

When multiple plugins return context from `pre_llm_call`, their outputs are joined with double newlines and appended to the user message together. The order follows plugin discovery order (alphabetical by plugin directory name).

### Register CLI commands

Plugins can add their own `hermes <plugin>` subcommand tree:

```python
def _my_command(args):
    """Handler for hermes my-plugin <subcommand>."""
    sub = getattr(args, "my_command", None)
    if sub == "status":
        print("All good!")
    elif sub == "config":
        print("Current config: ...")
    else:
        print("Usage: hermes my-plugin <status|config>")

def _setup_argparse(subparser):
    """Build the argparse tree for hermes my-plugin."""
    subs = subparser.add_subparsers(dest="my_command")
    subs.add_parser("status", help="Show plugin status")
    subs.add_parser("config", help="Show plugin config")
    subparser.set_defaults(func=_my_command)

def register(ctx):
    ctx.register_tool(...)
    ctx.register_cli_command(
        name="my-plugin",
        help="Manage my plugin",
        setup_fn=_setup_argparse,
        handler_fn=_my_command,
    )
```

After registration, users can run `hermes my-plugin status`, `hermes my-plugin config`, etc.

**Memory provider plugins** use a convention-based approach instead: add a `register_cli(subparser)` function to your plugin's `cli.py` file. The memory plugin discovery system finds it automatically — no `ctx.register_cli_command()` call needed. See the [Memory Provider Plugin guide](/developer-guide/memory-provider-plugin#adding-cli-commands) for details.

**Active-provider gating:** Memory plugin CLI commands only appear when their provider is the active `memory.provider` in config. If a user hasn't set up your provider, your CLI commands won't clutter the help output.

### Register slash commands

Plugins can register in-session slash commands — commands users type during a conversation (like `/lcm status` or `/ping`). These work in both CLI and gateway (Telegram, Discord, etc.).

```python
def _handle_status(raw_args: str) -> str:
    """Handler for /mystatus — called with everything after the command name."""
    if raw_args.strip() == "help":
        return "Usage: /mystatus [help|check]"
    return "Plugin status: all systems nominal"

def register(ctx):
    ctx.register_command(
        "mystatus",
        handler=_handle_status,
        description="Show plugin status",
    )
```

After registration, users can type `/mystatus` in any session. The command appears in autocomplete, `/help` output, and the Telegram bot menu.

**Signature:** `ctx.register_command(name: str, handler: Callable, description: str = "", args_hint: str = "")`

| Parameter | Type | Description |
|-----------|------|-------------|
| `name` | `str` | Command name without the leading slash (e.g. `"lcm"`, `"mystatus"`) |
| `handler` | `Callable[[str], str \| None]` | Called with the raw argument string. May also be `async`. |
| `description` | `str` | Shown in `/help`, autocomplete, and Telegram bot menu |

**Key differences from `register_cli_command()`:**

| | `register_command()` | `register_cli_command()` |
|---|---|---|
| Invoked as | `/name` in a session | `hermes name` in a terminal |
| Where it works | CLI sessions, Telegram, Discord, etc. | Terminal only |
| Handler receives | Raw args string | argparse `Namespace` |
| Use case | Diagnostics, status, quick actions | Complex subcommand trees, setup wizards |

**Conflict protection:** If a plugin tries to register a name that conflicts with a built-in command (`help`, `model`, `new`, etc.), the registration is silently rejected with a log warning. Built-in commands always take precedence.

**Async handlers:** The gateway dispatch automatically detects and awaits async handlers, so you can use either sync or async functions:

```python
async def _handle_check(raw_args: str) -> str:
    result = await some_async_operation()
    return f"Check result: {result}"

def register(ctx):
    ctx.register_command("check", handler=_handle_check, description="Run async check")
```

### Dispatch tools from slash commands

Slash command handlers that need to orchestrate tools (spawn a subagent via `delegate_task`, call `file_edit`, etc.) should use `ctx.dispatch_tool()` instead of reaching into framework internals. The parent-agent context (workspace hints, spinner, model inheritance) is wired up automatically.

```python
def register(ctx):
    def _handle_deliver(raw_args: str):
        result = ctx.dispatch_tool(
            "delegate_task",
            {
                "goal": raw_args,
                "toolsets": ["terminal", "file", "web"],
            },
        )
        return result

    ctx.register_command(
        "deliver",
        handler=_handle_deliver,
        description="Delegate a goal to a subagent",
    )
```

**Signature:** `ctx.dispatch_tool(name: str, args: dict, *, parent_agent=None) -> str`

| Parameter | Type | Description |
|-----------|------|-------------|
| `name` | `str` | Tool name as registered in the tool registry (e.g. `"delegate_task"`, `"file_edit"`) |
| `args` | `dict` | Tool arguments, same shape the model would send |
| `parent_agent` | `Agent \| None` | Optional override. When omitted, resolves from the current CLI agent (or degrades gracefully in gateway mode) |

**Runtime behavior:**

- **CLI mode:** `parent_agent` is resolved from the active CLI agent so workspace hints, spinner, and model selection inherit as expected.
- **Gateway mode:** There is no CLI agent, so tools degrade gracefully — workspace is read from the configured terminal working directory and no spinner is shown.
- **Explicit override:** If the caller passes `parent_agent=` explicitly, it is respected and not overwritten.

This is the public, stable interface for tool dispatch from plugin commands. Plugins should not reach into `ctx._cli_ref.agent` or similar private state.

### Handle Slack Block Kit button clicks

Plugins that post Block Kit messages with interactive elements (buttons, overflow menus, datepickers, etc.) can register the click handlers directly with the Slack adapter — no monkey-patching of `slack_bolt.AsyncApp` required.

```python
def register(ctx):
    async def _on_approve(ack, body, action):
        # ack within 3 seconds — slack_bolt requirement.
        await ack()
        # body["channel"]["id"], body["user"]["id"], body["message"]["ts"]
        # action["action_id"], action["value"]
        sweep_id = (action.get("value") or "").split("|", 1)[-1]
        # ...do the deterministic work, then post a follow-up.

    ctx.register_slack_action_handler("inbox_sweep_approve", _on_approve)
```

**Signature:** `ctx.register_slack_action_handler(action_id, callback) -> None`

| Parameter | Type | Description |
|-----------|------|-------------|
| `action_id` | `str \| re.Pattern \| dict` | Whatever `slack_bolt.App.action()` accepts: a literal `action_id`, a compiled regex matching multiple ids, or a constraint dict like `{"action_id": "...", "block_id": "..."}` |
| `callback` | async callable | Receives `(ack, body, action)` per the slack_bolt convention |

**Runtime behavior:**

- The handler is queued at plugin-load time and wired into the adapter's `slack_bolt.AsyncApp` when the Slack platform connects.
- Each callback is wrapped defensively: if your handler raises, the gateway logs the error and best-effort-acks the click so Slack stops retrying.
- Standard slack_bolt rules apply — `await ack()` within 3 seconds, then do longer work.
- For multi-workspace deployments the handler fires for clicks from any connected workspace; use `body["team"]["id"]` if you need to scope behaviour.

This is the public way for plugins to participate in Slack interactivity. Older plugins may patch `SlackAdapter.connect`; prefer this API instead.

:::tip
This guide covers **general plugins** (tools, hooks, slash commands, CLI commands). The sections below sketch the authoring pattern for each specialized plugin type; each links to its full guide for field reference and examples.
:::

## Specialized plugin types

Hermes has five specialized plugin types beyond the general surface. Each ships as a directory under `plugins/<category>/<name>/` (bundled) or `~/.hermes/plugins/<category>/<name>/` (user). The contract differs by category — pick the one you need, then read its full guide.

### Model provider plugins — add an LLM backend

Drop a profile into `plugins/model-providers/<name>/`:

```python
# plugins/model-providers/acme/__init__.py
from providers import register_provider
from providers.base import ProviderProfile

register_provider(ProviderProfile(
    name="acme",
    aliases=("acme-inference",),
    display_name="Acme Inference",
    env_vars=("ACME_API_KEY", "ACME_BASE_URL"),
    base_url="https://api.acme.example.com/v1",
    auth_type="api_key",
    default_aux_model="acme-small-fast",
    fallback_models=("acme-large-v3", "acme-medium-v3"),
))
```

```yaml
# plugins/model-providers/acme/plugin.yaml
name: acme-provider
kind: model-provider
version: 1.0.0
description: Acme Inference — OpenAI-compatible direct API
```

Lazy-discovered the first time anything calls `get_provider_profile()` or `list_providers()` — `auth.py`, `config.py`, `doctor.py`, `models.py`, `runtime_provider.py`, and the chat_completions transport auto-wire to it. User plugins override bundled ones by name.

**Full guide:** [Model Provider Plugins](/developer-guide/model-provider-plugin) — field reference, overridable hooks (`prepare_messages`, `build_extra_body`, `build_api_kwargs_extras`, `fetch_models`), api_mode selection, auth types, testing.

### Platform plugins — add a gateway channel

Drop an adapter into `plugins/platforms/<name>/`:

```python
# plugins/platforms/myplatform/adapter.py
from gateway.platforms.base import BasePlatformAdapter

class MyPlatformAdapter(BasePlatformAdapter):
    async def connect(self): ...
    async def send(self, chat_id, text): ...
    async def disconnect(self): ...

def check_requirements():
    import os
    return bool(os.environ.get("MYPLATFORM_TOKEN"))

def _env_enablement():
    import os
    tok = os.getenv("MYPLATFORM_TOKEN", "").strip()
    if not tok:
        return None
    return {"token": tok}

def register(ctx):
    ctx.register_platform(
        name="myplatform",
        label="MyPlatform",
        adapter_factory=lambda cfg: MyPlatformAdapter(cfg),
        check_fn=check_requirements,
        required_env=["MYPLATFORM_TOKEN"],
        # Auto-populate PlatformConfig.extra from env so env-only setups
        # show up in `hermes gateway status` without SDK instantiation.
        env_enablement_fn=_env_enablement,
        # Opt in to cron delivery: `deliver=myplatform` routes to this var.
        cron_deliver_env_var="MYPLATFORM_HOME_CHANNEL",
        emoji="💬",
        platform_hint="You are chatting via MyPlatform. Keep responses concise.",
    )
```

```yaml
# plugins/platforms/myplatform/plugin.yaml
name: myplatform-platform
label: MyPlatform
kind: platform
version: 1.0.0
description: MyPlatform gateway adapter
requires_env:
  - name: MYPLATFORM_TOKEN
    description: "Bot token from the MyPlatform console"
    password: true
optional_env:
  - name: MYPLATFORM_HOME_CHANNEL
    description: "Default channel for cron delivery"
    password: false
```

**Full guide:** [Adding Platform Adapters](/developer-guide/adding-platform-adapters) — complete `BasePlatformAdapter` contract, message routing, auth gating, setup wizard integration. Look at `plugins/platforms/irc/` for a stdlib-only working example.

### Memory provider plugins — add a cross-session knowledge backend

Drop an implementation of `MemoryProvider` into `plugins/memory/<name>/`:

```python
# plugins/memory/my-memory/__init__.py
from agent.memory_provider import MemoryProvider

class MyMemoryProvider(MemoryProvider):
    @property
    def name(self) -> str:
        return "my-memory"

    def is_available(self) -> bool:
        import os
        return bool(os.environ.get("MY_MEMORY_API_KEY"))

    def initialize(self, session_id: str, **kwargs) -> None:
        self._session_id = session_id

    def sync_turn(self, user_content, assistant_content, *,
                  session_id="", messages=None) -> None:
        ...

    def prefetch(self, query, *, session_id="") -> str:
        ...

    def get_tool_schemas(self) -> list[dict]:
        return []   # required @abstractmethod — see full guide

def register(ctx):
    ctx.register_memory_provider(MyMemoryProvider())
```

Memory providers are single-select — only one is active at a time, chosen via `memory.provider` in `config.yaml`.

**Full guide:** [Memory Provider Plugins](/developer-guide/memory-provider-plugin) — full `MemoryProvider` ABC, threading contract, profile isolation, CLI command registration via `cli.py`.

### Context engine plugins — replace the context compressor

```python
# plugins/context_engine/my-engine/__init__.py
from agent.context_engine import ContextEngine

class MyContextEngine(ContextEngine):
    @property
    def name(self) -> str:
        return "my-engine"

    def update_from_response(self, usage) -> None: ...
    def should_compress(self, prompt_tokens: int = None) -> bool: ...
    def compress(self, messages, current_tokens=None, focus_topic=None) -> list: ...

def register(ctx):
    ctx.register_context_engine(MyContextEngine())
```

Context engines are single-select — chosen via `context.engine` in `config.yaml`.

**Full guide:** [Context Engine Plugins](/developer-guide/context-engine-plugin).

### Image-generation backends

Drop a provider into `plugins/image_gen/<name>/`:

```python
# plugins/image_gen/my-imggen/__init__.py
from agent.image_gen_provider import ImageGenProvider

class MyImageGenProvider(ImageGenProvider):
    @property
    def name(self) -> str:
        return "my-imggen"

    def is_available(self) -> bool: ...
    def generate(self, prompt: str, aspect_ratio="landscape", **kwargs) -> dict:
        # returns success_response(...) / error_response(...)
        ...

def register(ctx):
    ctx.register_image_gen_provider(MyImageGenProvider())
```

```yaml
# plugins/image_gen/my-imggen/plugin.yaml
name: my-imggen
kind: backend
version: 1.0.0
description: Custom image generation backend
```

**Full guide:** [Image Generation Provider Plugins](/developer-guide/image-gen-provider-plugin) — full `ImageGenProvider` ABC, `list_models()` / `get_setup_schema()` metadata, `success_response()`/`error_response()` helpers, base64 vs URL output, user overrides, pip distribution.

**Reference examples:** `plugins/image_gen/openai/` (DALL-E / GPT-Image via OpenAI SDK), `plugins/image_gen/openai-codex/`, `plugins/image_gen/xai/` (Grok image gen).

## Non-Python extension surfaces

Hermes also accepts extensions that aren't Python plugins at all. These are shown in the [Pluggable interfaces table](/user-guide/features/plugins#pluggable-interfaces--where-to-go-for-each); the sections below sketch each authoring style briefly.

### MCP servers — register external tools

Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers register their own tools into Hermes without any Python plugin. Declare them in `~/.hermes/config.yaml`:

```yaml
mcp_servers:
  filesystem:
    command: "npx"
    args: ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem", "/home/user/projects"]
    timeout: 120

  linear:
    url: "https://mcp.linear.app/sse"
    auth:
      type: "oauth"
```

Hermes connects to each server at startup, lists its tools, and registers them alongside built-ins. The LLM sees them exactly like any other tool. **Full guide:** [MCP](/user-guide/features/mcp).

### Gateway event hooks — fire on lifecycle events

Drop a manifest + handler into `~/.hermes/hooks/<name>/`:

```yaml
# ~/.hermes/hooks/long-task-alert/HOOK.yaml
name: long-task-alert
description: Send a push notification when a long task finishes
events:
  - agent:end
```

```python
# ~/.hermes/hooks/long-task-alert/handler.py
async def handle(event_type: str, context: dict) -> None:
    if context.get("duration_seconds", 0) > 120:
        # send notification …
        pass
```

Events include `gateway:startup`, `session:start`, `session:end`, `session:reset`, `agent:start`, `agent:step`, `agent:end`, and wildcard `command:*`. Errors in hooks are caught and logged — they never block the main pipeline.

**Full guide:** [Gateway Event Hooks](/user-guide/features/hooks#gateway-event-hooks).

### Shell hooks — run a shell command on tool calls

If you just want to run a script when a tool fires (notifications, audit logs, desktop alerts, auto-formatters), use shell hooks in `config.yaml` — no Python required:

```yaml
hooks:
  - event: post_tool_call
    command: "notify-send 'Tool ran: {tool_name}'"
    when:
      tools: [terminal, patch, write_file]
```

Supports all the same events as Python plugin hooks (`pre_tool_call`, `post_tool_call`, `pre_llm_call`, `post_llm_call`, `on_session_start`, `on_session_end`, `pre_gateway_dispatch`) plus structured JSON output for `pre_tool_call` blocking decisions.

**Full guide:** [Shell Hooks](/user-guide/features/hooks#shell-hooks).

### Skill sources — add a custom skill registry

If you maintain a GitHub repo of skills (or want to pull from a community index beyond the built-in sources), add it as a **tap**:

```bash
hermes skills tap add myorg/skills-repo
hermes skills search my-workflow --source myorg/skills-repo
hermes skills install myorg/skills-repo/my-workflow
```

Publishing your own tap is just a GitHub repo with `skills/<skill-name>/SKILL.md` directories — no server or registry signup needed.

**Full guides:** [Skills Hub](/user-guide/features/skills#skills-hub) · [Publishing a custom tap](/user-guide/features/skills#publishing-a-custom-skill-tap) (repo layout, minimal example, non-default paths, trust levels).

### TTS / STT via command templates

Any CLI that reads/writes audio or text can be plugged in through `config.yaml` — no Python code:

```yaml
tts:
  provider: voxcpm
  providers:
    voxcpm:
      type: command
      command: "voxcpm --ref ~/voice.wav --text-file {input_path} --out {output_path}"
      output_format: mp3
      voice_compatible: true
```

For STT, point `HERMES_LOCAL_STT_COMMAND` at a shell template. Supported placeholders: `{input_path}`, `{output_path}`, `{format}`, `{voice}`, `{model}`, `{speed}` (TTS); `{input_path}`, `{output_dir}`, `{language}`, `{model}` (STT). Any path-interacting CLI is automatically a plugin.

**Full guides:** [TTS custom command providers](/user-guide/features/tts#custom-command-providers) · [STT](/user-guide/features/tts#voice-message-transcription-stt).

## Distribute via pip

For sharing plugins publicly, add an entry point to your Python package:

```toml
# pyproject.toml
[project.entry-points."hermes_agent.plugins"]
my-plugin = "my_plugin_package"
```

```bash
pip install hermes-plugin-calculator
# Plugin auto-discovered on next hermes startup
```

## Distribute for NixOS

NixOS users can install your plugin declaratively if you provide a `pyproject.toml` with entry points:

**Entry-point plugins** (recommended for distribution):
```nix
# User's configuration.nix
services.hermes-agent.extraPythonPackages = [
  (pkgs.python312Packages.buildPythonPackage {
    pname = "my-plugin";
    version = "1.0.0";
    src = pkgs.fetchFromGitHub {
      owner = "you";
      repo = "hermes-my-plugin";
      rev = "v1.0.0";
      hash = "sha256-...";  # nix-prefetch-url --unpack
    };
    format = "pyproject";
    build-system = [ pkgs.python312Packages.setuptools ];
  })
];
```

**Directory plugins** (no `pyproject.toml` needed):
```nix
services.hermes-agent.extraPlugins = [
  (pkgs.fetchFromGitHub {
    owner = "you";
    repo = "hermes-my-plugin";
    rev = "v1.0.0";
    hash = "sha256-...";
  })
];
```

See the [Nix Setup guide](/getting-started/nix-setup#plugins) for complete documentation including overlay usage and collision checking.

## Common mistakes

**Handler doesn't return JSON string:**
```python
# Wrong — returns a dict
def handler(args, **kwargs):
    return {"result": 42}

# Right — returns a JSON string
def handler(args, **kwargs):
    return json.dumps({"result": 42})
```

**Missing `**kwargs` in handler signature:**
```python
# Wrong — will break if Hermes passes extra context
def handler(args):
    ...

# Right
def handler(args, **kwargs):
    ...
```

**Handler raises exceptions:**
```python
# Wrong — exception propagates, tool call fails
def handler(args, **kwargs):
    result = 1 / int(args["value"])  # ZeroDivisionError!
    return json.dumps({"result": result})

# Right — catch and return error JSON
def handler(args, **kwargs):
    try:
        result = 1 / int(args.get("value", 0))
        return json.dumps({"result": result})
    except Exception as e:
        return json.dumps({"error": str(e)})
```

**Schema description too vague:**
```python
# Bad — model doesn't know when to use it
"description": "Does stuff"

# Good — model knows exactly when and how
"description": "Evaluate a mathematical expression. Use for arithmetic, trig, logarithms. Supports: +, -, *, /, **, sqrt, sin, cos, log, pi, e."
```
