How to Configure i-have-adhd for Hermes: Installation and Setup Guide

To configure i-have-adhd for Hermes, install the skill with hermes skills install ayghri/i-have-adhd/skills/i-have-adhd, verify it with hermes skills list, and optionally enable always-on mode by adding the output-style rules to AGENTS.md or SOUL.md in your project or persona directory.

The i-have-adhd skill adapts AI assistant responses for readers with ADHD by enforcing structured, actionable output formats. According to the ayghri/i-have-adhd repository source code—specifically INSTALL.md (lines 36-78) and skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md—integrating this skill into Hermes requires installing the package, verifying the slash command registration, and optionally configuring persistent formatting rules. Once configured, Hermes automatically applies ADHD-friendly formatting to every response or only when invoked with the /i-have-adhd slash command.

Installing the i-have-adhd Skill

Hermes supports two methods for installing the i-have-adhd skill: direct installation from the repository path or adding the repository as a tap for discoverability.

Direct Installation

Run the install command targeting the specific skill path within the repository:

hermes skills install ayghri/i-have-adhd/skills/i-have-adhd

This command copies the skill files into ~/.hermes/skills/ and registers the /i-have-adhd slash command for immediate use.

Installation via Tap

Alternatively, add the repository as a tap to browse and install through Hermes's search interface:

hermes skills tap add ayghri/i-have-adhd
hermes skills search adhd
hermes skills install ayghri/i-have-adhd/skills/i-have-adhd

The tap method is useful if you plan to install multiple skills from the ayghri/i-have-adhd repository or want to search for the skill by name rather than typing the full path.

Verifying the Installation

After installation, confirm the skill is properly registered:

hermes skills list

Look for i-have-adhd in the output. This verification step guarantees the skill is available for the current and subsequent Hermes sessions. If the skill does not appear, re-run the installation command or check your internet connection to ensure Hermes can access the GitHub repository.

Enabling Always-On Mode

By default, you must type /i-have-adhd to trigger ADHD-friendly formatting. To apply these rules automatically to every response without manual invocation, configure always-on mode by adding the output-style block to either AGENTS.md or SOUL.md.

Per-Directory Configuration with AGENTS.md

Create or edit AGENTS.md in your project's root directory. Hermes reads this file per-working-directory, making it ideal for project-specific ADHD formatting:

## Output style

The reader has ADHD. Shape every response so it can be acted on:

1. Lead with the answer or next action: command, path, or snippet first.
2. Number multi-step work; one bounded action per step.
3. End with one next action doable in under two minutes.
4. Finish the current issue before raising a new one.
5. Restate progress each turn ("step 3 of 5 done").
6. Give time estimates in concrete units, never "a bit".
7. After a change, show what now works.
8. Errors: state location, cause, and fix. No drama.
9. Cap lists at 5 items.
10. No preamble, no recaps, no closers.

Exceptions: explain fully when asked to explain. Confirm before destructive actions. After three failed fixes, stop and name the doubtful assumption. If the request is ambiguous, ask one short question.

Global Configuration with SOUL.md

For persistent ADHD-friendly formatting across all Hermes sessions, add the same output-style block to your persona file SOUL.md. This file typically resides in your Hermes persona directory and applies rules globally regardless of your current working directory.

When either file contains this block, Hermes automatically prepends these rules to every chat context, eliminating the need to type /i-have-adhd while maintaining consistent formatting as defined in skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md.

Updating and Uninstalling

Manage the skill lifecycle with these commands:

# Update to the latest version

hermes skills update i-have-adhd

# Remove the skill

hermes skills uninstall i-have-adhd

# Optionally remove the tap if added

hermes skills tap remove ayghri/i-have-adhd

Updating ensures you receive the latest output-style rules and bug fixes from the source repository. Uninstalling removes the skill from ~/.hermes/skills/ and disables the /i-have-adhd command.

Summary

• Install the skill using hermes skills install ayghri/i-have-adhd/skills/i-have-adhd or via tap registration
• Verify installation with hermes skills list to confirm i-have-adhd appears in the skill registry
• Enable always-on mode by pasting the output-style rules into AGENTS.md (per-project) or SOUL.md (global)
• Maintain the installation with hermes skills update i-have-adhd and remove with hermes skills uninstall i-have-adhd
• Reference INSTALL.md in the repository for platform-specific variations and SKILL.md for the underlying logic

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between using /i-have-adhd and the always-on configuration?

The /i-have-adhd slash command triggers ADHD-friendly formatting for individual requests when the skill is installed but not configured for always-on mode. The always-on configuration—achieved by adding the output-style block to AGENTS.md or SOUL.md—automatically applies these rules to every interaction without requiring the command, as implemented in the Hermes integration logic.

Where does Hermes store the installed i-have-adhd skill files?

Hermes copies the skill files into ~/.hermes/skills/ during installation. This local copy enables offline usage and fast loading, while the original source remains in the ayghri/i-have-adhd repository under skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md.

Can I customize the ADHD formatting rules in always-on mode?

Yes. While the default rules in skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md provide a structured baseline for ADHD-friendly output, you can modify the text within your AGENTS.md or SOUL.md files to adjust specificity, tone, or constraints. Hermes prepends whatever content you place in the ## Output style section to the chat context.

Why should I use AGENTS.md instead of SOUL.md for the configuration?

Use AGENTS.md when you want ADHD-friendly formatting only within specific project directories, allowing different output styles for different contexts. Use SOUL.md when you want the formatting applied globally to every Hermes session regardless of working directory, as noted in the installation documentation at INSTALL.md.

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