# NousResearch/hermes-agent · Pre-update backup failure and SOUL.md symlink bug

## Open now

- 0 issues, 1 PR open on GitHub.
- PR #114931: fix(update): fail closed when pre-update backup fails; repair symlinked SOUL.md

A bug where a failing pre-update backup was silently ignored and a broken SOUL.md symlink could leave the gateway unbootable, plus associated fixes to close on backup errors and repair the symlink safely.

## TL;DR

- 4 member(s): 0 open issue(s), 1 closed issue(s), 1 open PR(s), 1 merged PR(s), 1 PR(s) closed without merging.
- A fix was merged to main in PR #114873. Verify it addresses your case.
- **Recommended:** read PR #114873 (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-114873`. 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evidence (`STRUCTURAL_SPANNING`): every member is connected by structural evidence: shared changed files, or a closing/superseded reference.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 `0.50`: 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

- #114592: hermes update --yes proceeds when pre_update_backup fails; left SOUL.md as a symlink loop → gateway unbootable (exit-75 restart storm)

## Prior & competing PRs

- **#114873: fix(config,update): a broken SOUL.md symlink no longer bricks home init; failed pre-update snapshot warns loudly (#114592, salvage #114600, #108007)**. merged to main · fix tier `verified`
  - maintainer direction: category `merged`
  - files: `hermes_cli/config.py`, `hermes_cli/update_cmd.py`, `hermes_cli/update_cmd_maint.py`, `tests/hermes_cli/test_home_init_soul_symlink.py`, `tests/hermes_cli/test_state_db_guard.py`, `tests/hermes_cli/test_update_receipt.py`, `website/docs/getting-started/updating.md`
- **#114601: fix(update): fail closed when the pre-update backup fails; replace a symlinked SOUL.md (#114592)**. closed without merge
  - maintainer direction: category `superseded_by_pr`; implication `superseded`; refs `be98c68fa361`, `#114873`, `#114592`, `#114600`, `#108007`
- **#114931: fix(update): fail closed when pre-update backup fails; repair symlinked SOUL.md**. open
  - maintainer direction: category `implemented_elsewhere`; implication `superseded`; refs `865002c1e5`, `6c96647a4e`, `767a6adf0e`, `8ed599dc054`, `#114594`, `#114635`, `#114918`, `#114616`, `#114654`, `#114804`, `#114873`, `#114600`, `#108007`, `#114592`
  - files: `agent/conversation_compression.py`, `agent/moa_loop.py`, `agent/prompt_builder.py`, `agent/secret_scope.py`, `agent/skill_utils.py`, `agent/turn_context_compaction.py`, `gateway/run_profile_reconcile.py`, `hermes_cli/auth.py`, `hermes_cli/cli_info_mixin.py`, `hermes_cli/cli_tui_mixin.py`, `hermes_cli/commands_completion.py`, `hermes_cli/config.py`, `hermes_cli/managed_scope.py`, `hermes_cli/model_switch.py`, `hermes_cli/update_cmd.py`, `hermes_cli/update_cmd_maint.py`, `model_tools.py`, `tests/agent/test_compress_context_progress_timeout.py`, `tests/agent/test_preflight_emergency_prune.py`, `tests/hermes_cli/test_config.py` (+2 more)

## Fix status

- Merged to main in PR #114873 (cited above). No release data is tracked. Verify downstream.
- Fix last verified (merged) `2026-09-18`.
- Subsystem: `hermes_cli`