Env File

Domain: Configuration

Motivation

A file (~/.hermes/.env) storing API keys and secrets. Separate from config.yaml for security.

.env: OPENROUTER_API_KEY=sk-or-xxx, ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-xxx. Hermes reads these for authentication. The model never sees them (redacted).

A locked drawer in your desk - you keep valuables (API keys) there, not on the desk. The .env file is the locked drawer for secrets.