Give Hermes tools on demand

Generate images, run code, look up crypto data and explore travel options from Hermes Agent. Browse x402engine for free, then pay per call with USDC. No provider subscriptions or API keys.

1. Install the skill

hermes skills install https://x402engine.app/.well-known/skills/x402engine

Hermes reviews community skills during installation. You can inspect the instructions first. The skill teaches service selection, live pricing and budget-aware tool use; the MCP below supplies the tools.

2. Connect the MCP

Install Node.js 20.18 or later, then merge this into your active Hermes profile's config.yaml (the default profile uses ~/.hermes/config.yaml). Preserve any existing servers.

mcp_servers:
  x402engine:
    command: npx
    args: ["-y", "x402engine-mcp@1.1.1"]
    env:
      X402_BASE_URL: "https://x402engine.app"
      X402_PAYMENT_NETWORK: "auto"
      X402_MAX_PAYMENT_USD: "0.10"

Start a new Hermes session. Ask: “Use x402engine to show available image tools and their prices. Don't make a paid call.” The discover_services and service_health tools work without a wallet.

3. Enable payments when you need them

Use a dedicated wallet with a small USDC balance on Base. Store its private key locally as X402_EVM_PRIVATE_KEY in the active profile's .env file. Keep that file private; never paste the key into a chat. Add the key reference and replace the network setting under the MCP's env block:

      X402_EVM_PRIVATE_KEY: "${X402_EVM_PRIVATE_KEY}"
      X402_PAYMENT_NETWORK: "base"

The MCP signs payment locally. Your private key is not sent to x402engine. Base payments use USDC authorizations, with transaction gas paid by the facilitator.

X402_MAX_PAYMENT_USD is a hard limit per request. Set a separate task budget in your instruction, for example: “Generate one sailboat image with the fast tier. You may spend up to $0.02 total; don't retry a paid call.” Configuring a wallet does not itself authorize purchases.

Use Solana instead

Store a dedicated Solana key locally as X402_SOLANA_PRIVATE_KEY, fund it with USDC and enough SOL for fees, and use these entries instead of the Base network and key entries:

      X402_PAYMENT_NETWORK: "solana"
      X402_SOLANA_PRIVATE_KEY: "${X402_SOLANA_PRIVATE_KEY}"

What you can do

Generate images and run short calculations in a code sandbox.
Look up crypto prices, markets and wallet data.
Transcribe public audio, search travel options and use IPFS tools.
Discover the complete gateway catalog with live pricing and input schemas.

The published MCP provides a curated tool set. Chat, video and speech endpoints are available through the gateway API; discovery does not add dedicated MCP tools for every route. Use the local MCP command above to execute tools.

Build a useful workflow

Try “Find the current Bitcoin and Ethereum prices using x402engine, within a $0.02 total budget, and explain the difference.” Or ask for an image, then use the returned URL in your draft. Hermes can combine these outputs with its existing writing and research tools.

MCP source · Skill discovery index · Hermes MCP documentation · Support

This is an x402engine integration for Hermes Agent. Catalog placement is subject to the Hermes maintainers' review.