From e97a4c8f379530b556eee9cffb608b2016d87708 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Teknium <127238744+teknium1@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Sat, 23 May 2026 05:25:46 -0700
Subject: [PATCH] docs(readme): add Nous Portal section between Getting Started
 and CLI/Messaging reference (#30941)
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A small, self-contained section under 'Skip the API-key collection —
Nous Portal' explaining what Portal gives you (300+ models + Tool
Gateway), the one-shot install command, and how to inspect routing.
No buzzwords, no comparison tables, no overselling.

Positioned right after 'Getting Started' so it lands where someone
scanning the README has just seen the install steps and is deciding
their next move. Skippable by anyone who already knows their provider.

The line 'You can still bring your own keys per-tool whenever you
want' is the deliberate honesty rail — Portal is an option, not a
funnel. Existing per-provider language elsewhere in the README is
unchanged.

Mirrored to README.zh-CN.md to keep the two READMEs in sync.
---
 README.md       | 21 +++++++++++++++++++++
 README.zh-CN.md | 21 +++++++++++++++++++++
 2 files changed, 42 insertions(+)

diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index b659f56fa53..9b148164294 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -79,6 +79,27 @@ hermes doctor       # Diagnose any issues
 
 📖 **[Full documentation →](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/)**
 
+---
+
+## Skip the API-key collection — Nous Portal
+
+Hermes works with whatever provider you want — that's not changing. But if you'd rather not collect five separate API keys for the model, web search, image generation, TTS, and a cloud browser, **[Nous Portal](https://portal.nousresearch.com)** covers all of them under one subscription:
+
+- **300+ models** — pick any of them with `/model <name>`
+- **Tool Gateway** — web search (Firecrawl), image generation (FAL), text-to-speech (OpenAI), cloud browser (Browser Use), all routed through your sub. No extra accounts.
+
+One command from a fresh install:
+
+```bash
+hermes setup --portal
+```
+
+That logs you in via OAuth, sets Nous as your provider, and turns on the Tool Gateway. Check what's wired up any time with `hermes portal status`. Full details on the [Tool Gateway docs page](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/tool-gateway).
+
+You can still bring your own keys per-tool whenever you want — the gateway is per-backend, not all-or-nothing.
+
+---
+
 ## CLI vs Messaging Quick Reference
 
 Hermes has two entry points: start the terminal UI with `hermes`, or run the gateway and talk to it from Telegram, Discord, Slack, WhatsApp, Signal, or Email. Once you're in a conversation, many slash commands are shared across both interfaces.
diff --git a/README.zh-CN.md b/README.zh-CN.md
index 9a964574413..e2228234ce6 100644
--- a/README.zh-CN.md
+++ b/README.zh-CN.md
@@ -65,6 +65,27 @@ hermes doctor       # 诊断问题
 
 📖 **[完整文档 →](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/)**
 
+---
+
+## 省去到处收集 API Key — Nous Portal
+
+Hermes 始终允许你使用任意服务商，这点不会改变。但如果你不想为模型、网页搜索、图像生成、TTS、云浏览器分别去申请五个不同的 API Key，**[Nous Portal](https://portal.nousresearch.com)** 用一个订阅就能覆盖全部：
+
+- **300+ 模型** — 用 `/model <name>` 随时切换
+- **Tool Gateway** — 网页搜索（Firecrawl）、图像生成（FAL）、文本转语音（OpenAI）、云浏览器（Browser Use），全部通过订阅托管。无需额外注册任何账户。
+
+全新安装时一条命令即可：
+
+```bash
+hermes setup --portal
+```
+
+它会通过 OAuth 登录、把 Nous 设为推理服务商，并启用 Tool Gateway。随时用 `hermes portal status` 查看路由状态。完整说明见 [Tool Gateway 文档](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/user-guide/features/tool-gateway)。
+
+你随时可以按工具单独切回自己的 API Key — Gateway 是按工具粒度生效的，不是一刀切。
+
+---
+
 ## CLI 与消息平台 快速对照
 
 Hermes 有两种入口：用 `hermes` 启动终端 UI，或运行网关从 Telegram、Discord、Slack、WhatsApp、Signal 或 Email 与之对话。进入对话后，许多斜杠命令在两种界面中通用。