Hermes · On WhatsApp

Pair a number, scan a QR, chat. No Meta account required.

WhatsApp has no bot API outside its Business product, so Hermes uses a bridge called Baileys that emulates WhatsApp Web. It works, but it is unofficial, so there is a small risk of account limits: use a dedicated number, keep it conversational, and avoid outbound blasting. Two modes: bot (a separate number people message directly, recommended) and self-chat (message yourself, for testing). Setup is one wizard, hermes whatsapp, which installs the bridge and prints a QR code in your terminal; scan it from WhatsApp under Settings, Linked Devices, Link a Device. For a second number, use Google Voice (free, US), a prepaid SIM, or an internet calling app. Set WHATSAPP_ALLOWED_USERS (country code, no +) or *, or the gateway denies everything. The session lives at ~/.hermes/platforms/whatsapp/session, survives restarts, and grants full account access, so protect it. If a WhatsApp update breaks the bridge, update Hermes and re-pair.