From 62d5cc738e678607a768ed7e5bc8117d93f21595 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Shannon Sands <shannon.sands.1979@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 14 Feb 2026 13:36:28 +1000
Subject: [PATCH] README: document optional Modal pooling
 (TERMINAL_MODAL_MODE=pool)

---
 README.md | 13 +++++++++++++
 1 file changed, 13 insertions(+)

diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index da9e29579..34336ad74 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -240,6 +240,19 @@ modal setup                    # Authenticate with Modal
 hermes config set terminal.backend modal
 ```
 
+**Modal pooling (optional):** reuse warm Modal sandboxes across tasks.
+
+This is opt-in and does not change the default Modal behavior.
+
+```bash
+# Enable pooled mode
+export TERMINAL_ENV=modal
+export TERMINAL_MODAL_MODE=pool
+
+# Pool size (default: 4)
+export TERMINAL_MODAL_POOL_MAX=4
+```
+
 **Sudo Support:** If a command needs sudo, you'll be prompted for your password (cached for the session). Or set `SUDO_PASSWORD` in `~/.hermes/.env`.
 
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