Hermes Agent vs OpenClaw: The Big AI Agents Comparison This Week
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Hello, this weekly newsletter guides you through the most important new videos from a curated selection of AI and Coding YouTube channels. Each video gets a compact summary, plus a daily overview of the dominant topics. If interested, simply click the link under the summary.
This week was marked by an intense comparison between the AI agents Hermes and OpenClaw. Several videos from Alex Finn and Leon van Zyl devoted themselves to this topic, with discussions often becoming heated and polarizing. Most tests and live streams focused on the performance, reliability, and user-friendliness of both agents, with Hermes praised for its self-improvement and OpenClaw for its consistency.
The provider distribution was clearly focused on open-source models and tools. In addition to Hermes and OpenClaw, OpenCode, Code Rabbit, and various local models such as Quen 3.6 27B and Tail Scale were also discussed. Tensions between the creators were clearly evident, particularly in Alex Finn’s live streams, where the advantages and disadvantages of both agents were discussed in detail. Some viewers criticized OpenClaw’s frequent updates, which led to instability, while others questioned the reliability of Hermes.
A particular highlight was Leon van Zyl’s video in which he used Hermes Agent as a coding agent to create a web app and deploy it online. This video impressively demonstrated the practical applications of Hermes and highlights it as an outlier this week. Overall, the week was thematically dense and marked by intense discussions that split the community into two camps.
Niklas Steenfatt
No new videos in this period.
Fireship (2 new videos)
- Every operating system concept in one video…
7.5.2026, 17:32:34The video explains in detail how an operating system works from the moment the power button is pressed until shutdown. It starts with the bootloader that loads the operating system, then moves to privilege rings that separate kernel and application permissions. Virtual memory is described as a system that allows multiple applications to run in parallel without interfering with each other. The kernel builds the file system, loads device drivers, and enables interrupts that allow the system to respond to input. The kernel then starts the first process (PID1), which is the ancestor of all other processes. System calls enable applications to communicate with the kernel, and the scheduler manages CPU time for many processes. Threads allow applications to perform multiple tasks simultaneously, and inter-process communication (IPC) enables different processes to communicate securely. Finally, the shutdown process is described, in which all processes are terminated and the system shuts down safely.
The video generally addresses operating systems and their components without mentioning specific tools or vendors, and is better suited for intermediate or advanced viewers.
- 732 bytes of Python just borked every Linux machine on earth…
4.5.2026, 18:40:40The video covers a critical security vulnerability in the Linux kernel, called “copy fail” (CVE-2023-31431), which has existed since 2017 and was discovered by an AI tool. The vulnerability allows a local user to gain root access by writing four bytes into the page cache of a read-only file. All Linux distributions updated after 2017 are affected. The vulnerability was exploited through a Python script that uses the ONC ESN protocol and the AF_AGL interface. Although the vulnerability is not remotely exploitable, it is strongly recommended to update systems. The video also mentions the role of AI in discovering security vulnerabilities and promotes Code Rabbit, an AI tool for improving code quality.
The video explicitly addresses AI tools such as the AI agent tool used by Theori and Code Rabbit, and is intended for intermediate to advanced users.
Alex Finn (8 new videos)
- LIVE: The greatest Claude Code workflow ever
13.5.2026, 20:12:33The video showcases a detailed, advanced workflow for Claude Code that integrates various tools such as Slack, Linear, GitHub, and Claude Code. The host explains how these tools work together to boost productivity, track changes, and organize development. The workflow includes creating tasks and projects in Linear, linking them with GitHub for branch management, and leveraging Claude Code for automating and managing these processes. The host emphasizes the benefits of this workflow, including increased speed, better error prevention, and improved traceability.
Additionally, the host discusses personal experiences and challenges, such as dealing with difficult times and the importance of perseverance. He also shares his thoughts on using AI tools like Claude Code and Codex, as well as their differences and use cases.
The video is intended for advanced users who already have experience with Claude Code and similar tools and want to optimize their workflows. It covers specific tools like Claude, OpenAI, and Linear.
- Hermes Agent powered by local models on the DGX Spark is basically magic
13.5.2026, 13:30:07The video demonstrates how to set up a Hermes Agent on a local model on an Nvidia DGX Spark to create a 24/7 available AI employee. The process includes setting up the DGX Spark in headless mode, installing a local model (Qwen 3.6 27B), and integrating the model into the Hermes Agent. The creator demonstrates three use cases: a daily report on AI stocks for beginners, repurposing YouTube video content for advanced users, and vibe-coding a to-do list app for advanced users. The focus is on the benefits of local models, such as being free (apart from electricity costs), privacy, customizability, and educational value.
Final note: The video specifically covers Nvidia DGX Spark, Hermes Agent, Qwen 3.6 27B, and Tail Scale and is intended for intermediate to advanced users.
- LIVE: Talking AI news (no Hermes use cases ignore the thumbnail)
11.5.2026, 20:11:47The video is a live-stream session primarily focused on discussing Hermes Agent and its use cases. The host, Alex Finn, begins with an introduction to Hermes Agent and emphasizes the importance of use cases for leveraging the technology. He mentions that Hermes has released a new website with hundreds of use cases that he and viewers will go through and test.
However, a large portion of the video is taken up by various tangents and discussions, including:
1. **Investment Corner**: Alex discusses current investment opportunities in the AI industry, particularly in companies like Nvidia, Micron, TSMC, and Tesla. He emphasizes the importance of current AI developments and the need to invest in the right companies.
2. **Personal Stories and Anecdotes**: Alex shares personal stories and anecdotes that are often humorous and entertaining but not directly related to the main topic of the video.
3. **Chat Interaction**: A large portion of the video consists of interaction with the live chat, with Alex answering questions, making comments, and engaging with viewers.
4. **Hermes Agent Use Cases**: Towards the end of the video, Alex begins discussing some of the use cases from the new Hermes website. He mentions use cases such as creating research reports, managing tasks, and automating processes.
5. **Announcements and Updates**: Alex provides updates on his own projects and announcements, such as launching a second YouTube channel and attending a Baby Keem concert.
**Final note**: The video specifically covers open-source AI models and tools like Hermes Agent and OpenClaw. It is more suited for intermediate to advanced users who already have some understanding of AI and its applications.
- Hermes Agent is blowing me away…
9.5.2026, 20:54:26The video compares the AI agents Hermes and OpenClaw and recommends Hermes due to its reliability, self-improvement capabilities, and user-friendliness. The author describes the benefits of Hermes, including regular, thematic updates, self-improvement through usage, and a strong emphasis on experimentation and local models. Installing Hermes is described as straightforward, with options for different models and communication services, with Telegram and Opus recommended. The author showcases three use cases: one for beginners discovering new AI tools daily, one for advanced users conducting daily proactive check-ins, and one for experts creating AI-generated videos. The author emphasizes the importance of brain-dumping and reverse-prompting to use the AI agent in a personal and effective manner.
The video specifically covers the AI tools Hermes Agent and OpenClaw and is more suited for intermediate and advanced users.
- LIVE: Anthropic and Elon just teamed up to take down OpenAI
6.5.2026, 20:12:34The video covers the strategic alliance between Anthropic and Elon Musk’s XAI (X.AI), characterized by a major computing power deal. Anthropic gains access to SpaceX’s Colossus-1 cluster, which will significantly enhance their ability to develop and train AI models. This partnership marks a turning point in competition with OpenAI, which has held a dominant position in recent months with Codeex. Anthropic has struggled during this time with reduced limits and less powerful models, which the new alliance aims to address. Elon Musk, previously critical of Anthropic, now provides massive computing resources, shifting the dynamics of AI competition. The video also discusses Elon Musk’s long-term strategies, as he may focus on larger goals such as autonomous vehicles, space exploration, and robotics rather than remaining in the AI chatbot competition. The alliance could lead to a new era of innovation and improvement in AI tools, benefiting consumers. The video emphasizes the importance of using both leading AI tools, Claude Code and Codeex, to benefit from their respective strengths.
**AI Tools/Models/Providers:** Anthropic, OpenAI, Elon Musk (X.AI), Claude, Codeex, Grok, Gemini, Open-Source
**Target Audience:** Intermediate - Hermes Agent might have just killed OpenClaw
5.5.2026, 21:11:59The video presents Hermes Agent as a more reliable alternative to OpenClaw and discusses seven new features that improve productivity and user-friendliness. These include:
1. **Kanban Board**: Enables multitasking through parallel processing of multiple task threads. A manager agent populates tasks with details and moves them through various statuses (Triage, To-Do, Ready, In Progress, Block, Done).
2. **Slashgo**: A high-level mission function that assigns the agent long-term tasks that can be worked on over an extended period. The quality of the prompt is crucial for good results.
3. **Profiles (Multi-Agents)**: Allows creation of multiple agents with their own memories and capabilities to optimize performance and prevent overload.
4. **Model Catalog**: Simplifies switching and assigning models to specific tasks, improving cost control and efficiency.
5. **Compression**: By adjusting the compression threshold to 0.5, less drastic compressions are performed, improving memory retention.
6. **Curator Feature**: Automatically prunes rarely used skills every seven days to reduce bloat and maintain performance.
The video criticizes OpenClaw for frequent updates that lead to instability and performance issues, highlighting Hermes’ targeted, reliable updates. It is recommended to leverage Hermes’ new features to boost productivity.
**Final note**: The video specifically covers Hermes Agent and OpenClaw and is more suited for intermediate to advanced users.
- LIVE: Is Hermes better than OpenClaw? FINALE!!!
4.5.2026, 21:53:53The YouTube video shows a live-stream in which the host tests various AI agents (OpenClaw and Hermes) in a competition called “Agent Olympics.” The stream runs unusually long (3.5 hours) and is divided into various sections ranging from technical tests to personal discussions to spontaneous decisions.
**Content Summary:**
1. **Agent Olympics:**
– The host tests four combinations of AI agents (OpenClaw and Hermes with different backend models like ChatGPT and Opus) in five different tasks.
– The tasks include creating infographics, animated music videos, and other complex assignments.
– Results are evaluated live, with OpenClaw with Opus emerging as the winner at the end.2. **Technical Discussions:**
– There are extensive discussions about the stability and reliability of the various AI agents, particularly Hermes, which is criticized for “compaction” errors (loss of work states).
– OpenClaw is praised for its consistency and user-friendliness.3. **Personal Topics:**
– The host discusses his sleep problems and experiments with various solutions like kiwis and magnesium.
– There are discussions about work methods, including the use of treadmills and standing desks, with the host expressing his preferences and dislikes.4. **Community Interaction:**
– Viewers are actively engaged in the chat, asking questions and providing feedback.
– The host spontaneously decides to create a second YouTube channel called “Alex Finn Labs,” leading to amusing interaction with a viewer who had already reserved the desired channel name.5. **Announcements and Future Plans:**
– The host announces plans to publish more videos about Hermes and multi-agent setups in the future.
– There is discussion about whether live-streams should take place at later times to reach a broader audience.**Final note:**
The video specifically covers the AI tools OpenClaw, Hermes, ChatGPT, and Opus. It is more suited for intermediate and advanced users as it covers technical details and advanced applications of AI agents. - LIVE: OpenClaw vs Hermes Agent: The ultimate showdown
1.5.2026, 20:48:54The YouTube video shows a live-stream in which various AI agents are tested in a direct comparison. The main participants are OpenClaw and Hermes, each running with the models ChatGPT and Opus. The stream is divided into multiple tests that evaluate the agents’ capabilities across different task areas.
1. **Test 1: Real-Time Stock Dashboard**
– **OpenClaw with ChatGPT**: Fastest completion, but with an unsightly user interface (UI). Functionality was rated as solid.
– **Hermes with ChatGPT**: Slower and crashed the computer, resulting in a poor rating.
– **OpenClaw with Opus**: Slower than the ChatGPT version but with a somewhat better UI and additional features like TradingView integration.
– **Hermes with Opus**: Best UI and functionality, but slower than OpenClaw with ChatGPT.2. **Test 2: Game Development**
– **OpenClaw with ChatGPT**: Fast, but unplayable game.
– **OpenClaw with Opus**: Playable but not particularly entertaining.
– **Hermes with ChatGPT**: Unplayable and graphically poor.
– **Hermes with Opus**: Best graphics and playability, rated as actually entertaining.3. **Test 3: Website Reconstruction (Apple.com)**
– **Hermes with Opus**: First completion but below-average accuracy.
– **OpenClaw with Opus**: Better than Hermes with Opus but not perfect.
– **OpenClaw with ChatGPT**: Most accurate, nearly perfect.
– **Hermes with ChatGPT**: Perfect replication through screenshots but ethically questionable.The stream concludes with Hermes with Opus in the lead, followed by OpenClaw with Opus and OpenClaw with ChatGPT. Hermes with ChatGPT lags far behind. The remaining tests will continue in the next live-stream.
**Final note**: The video specifically covers the AI models Claude (Opus), OpenAI (ChatGPT), and specific tools like OpenClaw and Hermes. It is more suited for intermediate and advanced users interested in the performance and comparison of AI agents.
Leon van Zyl (9 new videos)
- Claude Code Agent View: Parallel Agents Are Here
May 14, 2026, 10:51:58The video reports on a serious supply chain attack on open-source packages in the npm ecosystem, where over 100 packages with a total download rate of more than 50 million per week were compromised. The attack exploited a vulnerability in Tanstack’s release process by having an attacker create a pull request in a fork of the repo that triggered the CI/CD workflow. By using the `pull_request_target` option in the GitHub Actions workflow, the attacker was able to inject malicious code into the shared cache of the CI server. Later, this malicious code used a valid npm publish token to release compromised packages. The malware spread further by searching for additional npm publish tokens and using them to infect more packages. Companies affected included Mistral AI, UiPath, and Open Search. The malware deeply integrated into developer environments like VS Code and implemented a “dead man switch” that deleted the root directory of the affected system when cleanup was detected.
To protect against such attacks, the video recommends using PNPM version 1 or higher, which offers features like `minimum release age`, `block exotic subdependencies`, and `approved builds`. These features can help prevent malware spread by blocking newly released packages, preventing exotic dependencies, and allowing installation scripts only for trusted packages. The video explicitly addresses open-source tools and providers such as npm, GitHub Actions, and PNPM and is aimed at intermediate to advanced users.
- Codex CLI Tutorial: Build an AI Image Studio from Scratch
May 11, 2026, 11:17:21This video walks through building an AI image studio step-by-step for creating YouTube thumbnails, posters, banners, and other graphic content. The process begins with setting up a Next.js project using the Codex CLI tool, which is based on GPT-5.5 and a high reasoning level. A database is set up with Docker and Postgres, and the necessary tables for user authentication are migrated.
The focus is on creating a user-friendly interface that allows users to upload reference images, write prompts, and generate images. The developer leverages the Codex tool’s capabilities to design and test the user interface while adhering to a predefined design system. After designing the interface, the actual functionality is implemented using the OpenAI API key to leverage the GPT-4 image model. The developer demonstrates how to upload reference images and assets and how to generate thumbnails combining these elements.
At the end, the user interface is adjusted to ensure image generation only occurs through the dashboard and not from the homepage. The homepage is redesigned with a generated image and marketing text. The video emphasizes the efficiency and time savings achieved through using Codex and OpenAI, though it notes the token limitations of the ChatGPT Plus plan.
The video explicitly addresses OpenAI (GPT-5.5, GPT-4 image model) and Codex. It is geared toward intermediate and advanced users as it covers advanced concepts like Docker, Postgres, Next.js, and API integration.
- Create Custom OpenCode Agents #Shorts #OpenCode #AICoding
May 10, 2026, 07:00:16The video shows how to create custom agents in OpenCode. By default, there are two agents: “build” and “plan”. To create a custom agent, you run the `open code agent create` command in the terminal. Next, you enter a description of the agent, for example, that an agent named John responds only with emojis. After creation, you can use the spacebar to specify which functions or tools the agent can access. You also select the agent mode: either for primary and subordinate roles or only as a subordinate agent. The video demonstrates creating a subordinate agent named John and shows how the main agent delegates a task to John. You can track the subordinate agent’s work and see its reasoning and outputs. Finally, it emphasizes that this is just a demonstration and in practice, you could use more specific system prompts and tool access for subordinate agents.
The video addresses OpenCode and is suitable for intermediate users.
- OpenCode’s Best Hidden Feature #Shorts #OpenCode #AICoding
May 9, 2026, 07:00:19The video explains how to configure different models for different modes in open-source code. For example, you can use a powerful model like GPT-5 for planning mode and a fast, cost-effective model like Big Pickle for implementation mode (Bold Mode). Alternatively, you can use GPT-5.5 for planning but reduce effort by selecting the “/variants” command with the “low effort” option. This allows planning to be created by an intelligent model while implementation is handled by a less powerful but faster model.
The video addresses open-source models and is aimed at intermediate users.
- I Turned Hermes Agent Into a Coding Agent
May 8, 2026, 11:02:33The video demonstrates how to use the Hermes Agent as a coding agent to create a web app and deploy it online. The process includes setting up the Hermes Agent on a VPS, integrating it with Telegram for communication, installing the Vercel CLI tool for deployment, and configuring the necessary skills for the agent. The creator tests whether the agent can create a personal portfolio page by scraping information from the creator’s YouTube channel and creating an attractive frontend design. The agent successfully creates the app, deploys it on Vercel, and provides a public URL that opens the app in a browser. The video also shows that the agent can make changes to the app and deploy them automatically.
The creator concludes that Hermes as a coding agent is suitable for simple tasks and quick dashboards but not for complex software projects. The video explicitly addresses Hermes Agent, OpenAI Codex, GPT 5.5, Vercel, and Telegram. It is geared toward intermediate and advanced users.
- This free OpenCode trick saves thousands #opencode #aitools #hacks
May 7, 2026, 13:38:39The video explains how to use free AI models for code generation in OpenCode. To do this, you first run the “connect” command and search for “OpenCode Zen” under the provider. Then you generate an API key through a provided URL, which is free. After entering the API key, you get a list of supported models including Big Pickle, HY3, Minimax M2.5, and Neurotron 3 Super from Nvidia. These models are powerful and completely free.
The video addresses OpenCode and OpenCode Zen and is aimed at intermediate users.
- I Built a Coding Agent That Runs Locally for Free
May 6, 2026, 12:25:00The video introduces the open-source tool “Honeyfree,” which enables autonomous planning and implementation of software projects. The user describes what they want to build, and the tool plans the features, adds them to a Kanban board, and implements them automatically. The tool supports various models like Alum Studio and Ollama and can also break down complex tasks into smaller features. The user demonstrates creating a simple to-do app and shows how to add and implement new features. The video emphasizes that this is now possible with free models, which wasn’t the case a few months ago. It also explains how to download models like Qwen 3.6 or JML4 and use them in Alum Studio or Llama Studio. The user recommends increasing the context window length of the models to at least 64,000 tokens for better performance. The video also shows how to install and set up Local Forge to create and manage projects. It emphasizes that while free models are good at writing code, they need more detailed instructions for better results. The user recommends using a paid model like Claude for planning features while using free models for actual implementation. The video ends with an invitation to sign up for a masterclass course that teaches building applications with coding agents.
The video addresses open-source models like Qwen 3.6 and JML4 as well as tools like Alum Studio, Llama Studio, and Local Forge. It is aimed at intermediate and advanced users who already have experience using AI models and developing software.
- OpenCode Tutorial for Beginners: Setup, Agents, Skills & MCP
May 5, 2026, 12:33:17This video is a tutorial showing how to create a Next.js application with OpenCode, an open-source AI tool. The process begins with installing and setting up OpenCode, including connecting to various AI models and providers, both free and paid. The tutorial shows how to add agent skills like frontend design and Next.js skills to improve the quality of generated code. It also demonstrates how to use memory files and design systems to increase agent consistency and efficiency. The tutorial continues with creating an application that allows users to input a rough app idea and receive a detailed project plan. The agent uses subagents to execute tasks in parallel and protect the main context. At the end, the application is tested and refined, with the agent completely redesigning the UI and running automated tests. The video is suitable for intermediate and advanced users interested in AI-powered coding tools.
AI tools/models/providers: OpenCode (open-source), OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, OpenRouter, BigPikko, HY3, Minimax, Nvidia, Vercel, Cintra AI.
- I Built a Full App Using Only Cursor AI
May 4, 2026, 11:01:35In this video, an AI-powered YouTube summarizer is developed using the Cursor tool. The process begins by creating a user interface that takes a YouTube URL and provides a summary of the video. Requirements include a short summary (TLDR), five to eight key points, a “watch these moments” section with timestamps and descriptions, and the original video link.
The creator uses Cursor and chooses the Composer 2 model to scaffold the project. They install Next.js and the Shad cn library for the user interface. With the help of Cursor’s agents, a basic user interface is created that meets the requirements. Next, functionality is added to retrieve the transcript of a YouTube video using the YouTube Transcript API.
For AI-powered summarization, the Cursor AI SDK is used to return structured data. The creator chooses the “anthropic/claude-2” model from OpenRouter and integrates the API key into an .env file. The agent then generates the summary, including the TLDR, key points, and recommended moments from the transcript.
The video explicitly addresses the tools Cursor, Composer 2, Next.js, Shad cn, YouTube Transcript API, AI SDK, and OpenRouter. It is geared toward intermediate and advanced users.
Leon van Zyl (1 new video)
- Claude Code Agent View: Parallel Agents Are Here
14.5.2026, 10:51:58The video reports on a supply chain attack targeting npm packages, compromising over 100 packages with a combined download rate of more than 50 million times per week. The attack exploited a vulnerability in the release process of Tanstack, a major project in the React ecosystem. The attacker was able to trigger the publishing workflow by creating a pull request from a fork, which executed with the permissions of the main repository. This allowed malicious code to be injected into the CI server’s shared cache and later leveraged to publish new, compromised package versions. The malware spread further by stealing npm publishing tokens from infected systems and compromising additional packages. The malware was particularly persistent as it nestled itself in code editors and, when stolen tokens expired, deleted the root folder of infected machines.
To prevent such attacks in the future, the video recommends using PNPM version 1 or higher, which offers features like minimum publish age, blocking exotic sub-dependencies, and approved builds. These measures can help prevent malware distribution. Additionally, Sentry is presented as a tool for production error debugging that works with AI-powered agents to automatically investigate and fix issues.
The video focuses on specific tools like PNPM, npm, and Sentry and is more geared toward intermediate and advanced users.
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