# NousResearch/hermes-agent · Fallback provider key_env/api_key_env resolution bug fixes

## Open now

- Nothing open on GitHub.

Multiple bug reports and fix attempts addressing that \`key_env\`/\`api_key_env\` fields are silently ignored when resolving API keys for fallback provider chain entries. The cluster centers on a single recurring issue with several overlapping fix PRs targeting the same code path.

## TL;DR

- 5 member(s): 0 open issue(s), 2 closed issue(s), 0 open PR(s), 2 merged PR(s), 1 PR(s) closed without merging.
- A fix was merged to main in PR #14116. Verify it addresses your case.
- **Recommended:** read PR #14116 (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: `partially_resolved` · deciding PR(s): `pr-14116`. This is distinct from the fix status above. Weigh it yourself.

## How this cluster was grouped

- Link evidence (`STRUCTURAL_PARTIAL`): some members are connected by structural evidence (shared changed files, or a closing/superseded reference); the rest are joined by an automated relevance judgement over their text.
- Members outside that structural core may belong to a different underlying problem.
- Pairwise link density `0.34`: 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

- #14105: \[Bug\] fallback_providers ignores key_env — only reads api_key field
- #25091: \[Bug\]: \`api_key_env\` alias silently ignored in \`fallback_providers\` entries — falls through to "no-key-required" placeholder

## Prior & competing PRs

- **#14116: fix(agent): resolve fallback provider key_env secrets**. merged to main · fix tier `verified`
  - maintainer direction: category `merged`; implication `superseded`
  - files: `run_agent.py`, `tests/run_agent/test_provider_fallback.py`
- **#27308: Batch salvage group 4: 9 low-risk new-contributor PRs (proxy-env/gateway-fixes/security-headers/custom-providers)**. merged to main · fix tier `verified`
  - maintainer direction: category `merged`; implication `superseded`
  - files: `agent/auxiliary_client.py`, `gateway/platforms/api_server.py`, `gateway/platforms/base.py`, `gateway/platforms/helpers.py`, `gateway/platforms/slack.py`, `gateway/platforms/sms.py`, `gateway/run.py`, `hermes_cli/doctor.py`, `plugins/platforms/google_chat/adapter.py`, `plugins/platforms/line/adapter.py`, `plugins/platforms/teams/adapter.py`, `scripts/release.py`, `tests/gateway/test_api_server.py`, `tests/gateway/test_bluebubbles.py`, `tests/gateway/test_update_streaming.py`
- **#25294: fix(auxiliary): resolve api_key_env alias in named custom provider path of resolve_provider_client**. closed without merge
  - maintainer direction: category `merged_via`; implication `superseded`; refs `#27308`

## Fix status

- Merged to main in PR #14116 (cited above). No release data is tracked. Verify downstream.
- Fix last verified (merged) `2026-05-17`.