# NousResearch/hermes-agent · Config blank values overriding env-var fallbacks regression

## Open now

- Nothing open on GitHub.

A regression where blank/empty string values in config.yaml silently shadow environment variable fallbacks, specifically affecting Matrix and WhatsApp readers. The cluster covers the bug report, a fix, and a salvage PR addressing this behavior.

## TL;DR

- 3 member(s): 0 open issue(s), 1 closed issue(s), 0 open PR(s), 1 merged PR(s), 1 PR(s) closed without merging.
- A fix was merged to main in PR #110217. Verify it addresses your case.
- **Recommended:** read PR #110217 (and any competing PRs below) before filing. Confirm the merged change covers your symptom.

## Maintainer resolution verdict

- Internal-tracker verdict over this cluster's issue members: `resolved` · deciding PR(s): `pr-110217`. This is distinct from the fix status above. Weigh it yourself.

## How this cluster was grouped

- Link evidence (`STRUCTURAL_SPANNING`): every member is connected by structural evidence: shared changed files, or a closing/superseded reference.
- Pairwise link density `0.67`: the share of member pairs that carry a link, counting a structural link in full and a relevance-only link at 0.36. `1.00` means every pair is linked.

## Closed / duplicate issues

- #109358: Regression in 0.21.2: empty string in config.yaml now shadows its env-var fallback, silently disabling Matrix free-response

## Prior & competing PRs

- **#110217: Blank config.yaml values no longer shadow env fallbacks in Matrix and WhatsApp readers (#109358, salvage #109365)**. merged to main · fix tier `verified`
  - maintainer direction: category `merged`
  - files: `gateway/platforms/whatsapp_common.py`, `plugins/platforms/matrix/adapter.py`, `tests/gateway/test_matrix_mention.py`, `tests/gateway/test_whatsapp_group_gating.py`, `tests/plugins/platforms/matrix/test_blank_config_env_fallback.py`
- **#109365: fix(matrix): restore env fallback for blank room config**. closed without merge
  - maintainer direction: category `implemented_elsewhere`; implication `superseded`; refs `62417876627c`, `#110217`

## Fix status

- Merged to main in PR #110217 (cited above). No release data is tracked. Verify downstream.
- Fix last verified (merged) `2026-09-13`.