Build and plan a custom Bot

Bot Lab

Start with a name and a clear job. You can ask AI to draft the remaining planning fields, use a basic template, or write every answer yourself. Bot Lab creates a designed Blueprint PDF, a matching Markdown file, role instructions, and a setup plan for Hermes Desktop.

Planning toolSaves in this browserOptional AI suggestionsApply in Hermes Desktop

A refined drafting laboratory with blueprints, brass instruments, and an unfinished machine on a rear workbench — Plan the job, access, limits, and first test before setup.

How it works

01
Define the job
Give the Bot a name and describe the result you need.
02
Build the plan
Draft the empty fields with AI, a basic template, or your own answers.
03
Review and test
Edit every suggestion, then run a small test with sample material.

Your draft saves in this browser. If you choose AI suggestions, Bot Lab sends only the Bot name and job description to Anthropic through Bot Cabinet's server function. Keep private or sensitive information out of those two fields.

Your Bot plan

Define the Bot’s job

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Plan progress0/8

Bot name

A short working name. You can change it in Hermes Desktop.

Job and outcome

Describe the recurring job and what finished, useful work looks like.

Bot Lab Assistant

Draft the remaining fields

AI can use the Bot name and job description to draft every empty field. It keeps the text you already wrote. Review every suggestion.

Enter the Bot name and job description first.

AI suggestions use Anthropic. Read Anthropic's API data retention information.

Information and rules

List one source, document, rule, or piece of background information per line.

What it should produce

List the files or responses you want the Bot to return, one per line.

When it should run

Describe when a person should start the work or when a future schedule could run it. Set up any schedule later in Hermes Desktop.

Tools and outside services

List only the tools, accounts, or outside services this job needs, one per line.

When it must ask you

List each action or decision that requires a person's approval.

First test

Choose a small task with a result you can inspect before adding private information or more access.

Apply the finished plan in Hermes Desktop.

Your Bot plan

Untitled bot

Draft plan

Bot plan at a glance

0 of 8 fields filled

Bot plan · 0/8 fields filled

Untitled bot

Next: Bot name

01Bot nameName neededNext
02Job and outcomeOutcome neededLater
03Information and rulesInformation neededLater
04Intended resultResult neededLater
05When work startsTiming neededLater
06Tools and servicesTools neededLater
07Approval requiredApproval items neededLater
08First testTest neededLater

BOT BASICS

Name: Untitled bot
Title: Outcome still to be defined
Description: Define the Bot's job and intended result.

01 / MISSION

Job and outcome

Define the work this bot exists to finish.

02 / INPUTS

What it works from

List the context and materials it may use.

03 / OUTPUTS

What it should produce

List the finished deliverables.

04 / WHEN IT RUNS

When it begins

Describe when a person should begin the work or when a future schedule could run it.

05 / TOOLS

Tools and connections

Add only tools or integrations the job needs.

06 / HUMAN CONTROL

When it must ask you

List when the Bot must stop and ask.

07 / FIRST TEST

First test

Choose a small test with a result you can inspect.

ROLE INSTRUCTIONS

Role instructions for Hermes Desktop

Define the primary job and outcome. Ask what inputs and context are available before beginning. Confirm the expected deliverable before beginning. Ask the user to list the actions that require approval before taking any action that affects files, accounts, schedules, or other people.

Available in Hermes Desktop

Open the Bots tab and choose New Agent.
Enter the Name, Title, and Description shown above.
Open Advanced and paste the role instructions into Custom SOUL.md.
Select only the skills, tools, and outside connections this Bot needs.
Create the Bot and run the first test with low-risk material.

Read the official Bot Mode guide

Fields to complete

Bot name · Job and outcome · Information and rules · What it should produce · When it should run · Tools and outside services · When it must ask you · First test

Complete all eight fields to download the Blueprint. Remaining: Bot name, Job and outcome, Information and rules, What it should produce, When it should run, Tools and outside services, When it must ask you, First test.

Preview the role instructions

Define the primary job and outcome.

Ask what inputs and context are available before beginning.

Confirm the expected deliverable before beginning.

Ask the user to list the actions that require approval before taking any action that affects files, accounts, schedules, or other people.

What you will get

A Bot Blueprint you can use, share, and revise

Bot Lab records the Bot’s job, inputs, expected outputs, tools, approval points, and first test. It creates a designed PDF for planning and review, a Markdown copy you can edit, and role instructions you can paste into the Custom SOUL.md field.

You choose the model, tools, connections, and schedule when you create the Bot in Hermes Desktop. The optional refinement questions help you decide what should carry forward in the Bot’s continuing conversation and memory.