# NousResearch/hermes-agent · Stale utils import error during gateway upgrade

## Open now

- Nothing open on GitHub.

These issues and fixes address an ImportError for 'file_signature' from 'utils' that occurs when upgrading from a specific Hermes version leaves stale root modules, preventing the gateway from completing its restart. The changes add tolerance for this staggered upgrade state.

## TL;DR

- 4 member(s): 0 open issue(s), 1 closed issue(s), 0 open PR(s), 1 merged PR(s), 2 PR(s) closed without merging.
- A fix was merged to main in PR #114804. Verify it addresses your case.
- **Recommended:** read PR #114804 (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-114804`. 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evidence (`STRUCTURAL_SPANNING`): every member is connected by structural evidence: shared changed files, or a closing/superseded reference.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

- #114616: hermes update from v2026.9.14 fails gateway restart: cannot import name 'file_signature' from 'utils'

## Prior & competing PRs

- **#114804: fix(update): hermes update from v2026.9.14 finishes the gateway restart instead of dying on a stale utils (#114616, salvage #114653)**. merged to main · fix tier `verified`
  - maintainer direction: category `merged`
  - files: `hermes_cli/config.py`, `hermes_cli/managed_scope.py`, `hermes_cli/stale_modules.py`, `tests/hermes_cli/test_stale_root_module_bridge.py`
- **#114653: fix(update): bridge stale root modules so pre-handoff upgrades finish restart (#114616)**. closed without merge
  - maintainer direction: category `merged_via`; implication `superseded`; refs `4f519b746ef4`, `#114804`, `#114616`, `#114653`
- **#114654: fix: tolerate staggered upgrade where old utils lacks file_signature**. closed without merge
  - maintainer direction: category `superseded_by_pr`; implication `superseded`; refs `4f519b746ef4`, `#114804`, `#114616`, `#114653`

## Fix status

- Merged to main in PR #114804 (cited above). No release data is tracked. Verify downstream.
- Fix last verified (merged) `2026-09-18`.