docs: clarify hermes model vs /model — two commands, two purposes (#10276)

Users are confused about the difference between `hermes model` (terminal
command for full provider setup) and `/model` (session command for switching
between already-configured providers). This distinction was not documented
anywhere.

Changes across 4 doc pages:
- cli-commands.md: Added warning callout explaining the difference, added
  --global flag docs, added 'only see OpenRouter models?' info box
- slash-commands.md: Added notes on both TUI and messaging /model entries
  that /model only switches between configured providers
- providers.md: Added 'Two Commands for Model Management' comparison table
  near top of page, added warning callout in switching section
- faq.md: Added new FAQ entry '/model only shows one provider' with quick
  reference table

Prompted by user feedback in Discord — new users consistently hit this
confusion when trying to add providers from inside a session.
This commit is contained in:
Teknium 2026-04-15 04:39:34 -07:00 committed by GitHub
parent 33ae403890
commit 4da598b48a
No known key found for this signature in database
GPG key ID: B5690EEEBB952194
4 changed files with 71 additions and 7 deletions

View file

@ -49,6 +49,17 @@ The OpenAI Codex provider authenticates via device code (open a URL, enter a cod
Even when using Nous Portal, Codex, or a custom endpoint, some tools (vision, web summarization, MoA) use a separate "auxiliary" model — by default Gemini Flash via OpenRouter. An `OPENROUTER_API_KEY` enables these tools automatically. You can also configure which model and provider these tools use — see [Auxiliary Models](/docs/user-guide/configuration#auxiliary-models).
:::
### Two Commands for Model Management
Hermes has **two** model commands that serve different purposes:
| Command | Where to run | What it does |
|---------|-------------|--------------|
| **`hermes model`** | Your terminal (outside any session) | Full setup wizard — add providers, run OAuth, enter API keys, configure endpoints |
| **`/model`** | Inside a Hermes chat session | Quick switch between **already-configured** providers and models |
If you're trying to switch to a provider you haven't set up yet (e.g. you only have OpenRouter configured and want to use Anthropic), you need `hermes model`, not `/model`. Exit your session first (`Ctrl+C` or `/quit`), run `hermes model`, complete the provider setup, then start a new session.
### Anthropic (Native)
Use Claude models directly through the Anthropic API — no OpenRouter proxy needed. Supports three auth methods:
@ -252,7 +263,15 @@ Both approaches persist to `config.yaml`, which is the source of truth for model
### Switching Models with `/model`
Once a custom endpoint is configured, you can switch models mid-session:
:::warning hermes model vs /model
**`hermes model`** (run from your terminal, outside any chat session) is the **full provider setup wizard**. Use it to add new providers, run OAuth flows, enter API keys, and configure custom endpoints.
**`/model`** (typed inside an active Hermes chat session) can only **switch between providers and models you've already set up**. It cannot add new providers, run OAuth, or prompt for API keys. If you've only configured one provider (e.g. OpenRouter), `/model` will only show models for that provider.
**To add a new provider:** Exit your session (`Ctrl+C` or `/quit`), run `hermes model`, set up the new provider, then start a new session.
:::
Once you have at least one custom endpoint configured, you can switch models mid-session:
```
/model custom:qwen-2.5 # Switch to a model on your custom endpoint