NousResearch/hermes-agent

Gateway install headless/non-TTY prompt handling

Cluster 42065 · hermes cli. Data as of 2026-10-26 12:29 UTC

1 open item. Fix merged in #54163 on 28 Jun 2026. Check it covers your case.

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Known?: Yes. 5 related items grouped here, 1 issue already closed.
Fix event: A fix was merged to main in PR #54163. Check it covers your case. No release data is tracked.
Tracker: The maintainers' tracker marks this partially resolved, deciding PR #54163. That is separate from the fix event.
Still open: 1 issue and 0 PRs.

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These issues and PRs address a regression where hermes gateway install requires interactive prompts even in non-TTY or headless environments, and add a --yes flag plus fixes to honor non-interactive context and startup flags during systemd installs.

Open issues1

Issue#60244Feature: hermes gateway install --yes for headless provisioning (+ piped-stdin prompt quirk on Windows)

Open PRs0

No open pull requests.

Fixes on record

Merged to main. A stamp counts the issues a fix is linked to.

#54163 fix(gateway): headless systemd install — honor --start flags + non-TTY defaults (#42065)

merged to main

files: hermes_cli/gateway.py, hermes_cli/subcommands/gateway.py, tests/hermes_cli/test_gateway.py

Show the diff

hermes_cli/gateway.py

@@ -3044,6 +3044,7 @@ def systemd_install(
     system: bool = False,
     run_as_user: str | None = None,
     enable_on_startup: bool = True,
+    non_interactive: bool = False,
 ):
     if system:
         _require_root_for_system_service("install")
@@ -3057,7 +3058,7 @@ def systemd_install(
         print()
         print_legacy_unit_warning()
         print()
-        if prompt_yes_no("Remove the legacy unit(s) before installing?", True):
+        if non_interactive or prompt_yes_no("Remove the legacy unit(s) before installing?", True):
             remove_legacy_hermes_units(interactive=False)
             print()
 
@@ -6268,13 +6269,31 @@ def _gateway_command_inner(args):
                     "  Or use tmux/screen for persistence: tmux new -s hermes 'hermes gateway run'"
                 )
                 print()
-            start_now = prompt_yes_no("Start the gateway now after installing the service?", True)
-            start_on_login = prompt_yes_no("Start the gateway automatically on login/boot with systemd?", True)
+            # Honor CLI flags (--start-now / --no-start-now, --start-on-login /
+            # --no-start-on-login).  When not provided, prompt interactively or
+            # fall back to True for non-TTY / headless contexts (SSH, CI, pipes).
+            non_interactive = not (hasattr(sys.stdin, "isatty") and sys.stdin.isatty())
+            _sn = getattr(args, "start_now", None)
+            if _sn is not None:
+                start_now = _sn
+            elif not non_interactive:
+                start_now = prompt_yes_no("Start the gateway now after installing the service?", True)
+            else:
+                start_now = True
+
+            _sol = getattr(args, "start_on_login", None)
+            if _sol is not None:
+                start_on_login = _sol
+            elif not non_interactive:
+                start_on_login = prompt_yes_no("Start the gateway automatically on login/boot with systemd?", True)
+            else:
+                start_on_login = True
             systemd_install(
                 force=force,
                 system=system,
                 run_as_user=run_as_user,
                 enable_on_startup=start_on_login,
+                non_interactive=non_interactive,
             )
             if start_now:
                 systemd_start(system=system)

hermes_cli/subcommands/gateway.py

@@ -169,26 +169,26 @@ def build_gateway_parser(
         dest="start_now",
         action="store_true",
         default=None,
-        help=argparse.SUPPRESS,
+        help="Start the gateway service immediately after installing",
     )
     gateway_install.add_argument(
         "--no-start-now",
         dest="start_now",
         action="store_false",
-        help=argparse.SUPPRESS,
+        help="Do not start the gateway service after installing",
     )
     gateway_install.add_argument(
         "--start-on-login",
         dest="start_on_login",
         action="store_true",
         default=None,
-        help=argparse.SUPPRESS,
+        help="Enable the service to start automatically on login/boot",
     )
     gateway_install.add_argument(
         "--no-start-on-login",
         dest="start_on_login",
         action="store_false",
-        help=argparse.SUPPRESS,
+        help="Do not enable the service to start on login/boot",
     )
     gateway_install.add_argument(
         "--elevated-handoff",

tests/hermes_cli/test_gateway.py

@@ -444,13 +444,14 @@ def test_gateway_install_in_container_with_operational_systemd_uses_systemd(monk
     monkeypatch.setattr(gateway, "is_wsl", lambda: False)
     monkeypatch.setattr(gateway, "is_macos", lambda: False)
     monkeypatch.setattr(gateway, "is_managed", lambda: False)
+    monkeypatch.setattr("sys.stdin.isatty", lambda: True)
 
     calls = []
     monkeypatch.setattr(gateway, "prompt_yes_no", lambda question, default=True: calls.append(("prompt", question, default)) or True)
     monkeypatch.setattr(
         gateway,
         "systemd_install",
-        lambda force=False, system=False, run_as_user=None, enable_on_startup=True: calls.append(("install", force, system, run_as_user, enable_on_startup)),
+        lambda force=False, system=False, run_as_user=None, enable_on_startup=True, **kw: calls.append(("install", force, system, run_as_user, enable_on_startup)),
     )
     monkeypatch.setattr(gateway, "systemd_start", lambda system=False: calls.append(("start", system)))
 
@@ -766,7 +767,7 @@ def test_install_linux_gateway_from_setup_system_choice_as_root_installs(monkeyp
     monkeypatch.setattr(
         gateway,
         "systemd_install",
-        lambda force=False, system=False, run_as_user=None, enable_on_startup=True: calls.append((force, system, run_as_user, enable_on_startup)),
+        lambda force=False, system=False, run_as_user=None, enable_on_startup=True, **kw: calls.append((force, system, run_as_user, enable_on_startup)),
     )
 
     scope, did_install = gateway.install_linux_gateway_from_setup(force=True)
@@ -782,7 +783,7 @@ def test_install_linux_gateway_from_setup_passes_startup_choice(monkeypatch):
     monkeypatch.setattr(
         gateway,
         "systemd_install",
-        lambda force=False, system=False, run_as_user=None, enable_on_startup=True: calls.append((force, system, run_as_user, enable_on_startup)),
+        lambda force=False, system=False, run_as_user=None, enable_on_startup=True, **kw: calls.append((force, system, run_as_user, enable_on_startup)),
     )
 
     scope, did_install = gateway.install_linux_gateway_from_setup(force=False, enable_on_startup=False)
@@ -796,6 +797,7 @@ def test_gateway_install_can_decline_start_now_and_startup(monkeypatch):
     monkeypatch.setattr(gateway, "is_wsl", lambda: False)
     monkeypatch.setattr(gateway, "is_macos", lambda: False)
     monkeypatch.setattr(gateway, "is_managed", lambda: False)
+    monkeypatch.setattr("sys.stdin.isatty", lambda: True)
 
     answers = iter([False, False])
     calls = []
@@ -803,7 +805,7 @@ def test_gateway_install_can_decline_start_now_and_startup(monkeypatch):
     monkeypatch.setattr(
         gateway,
         "systemd_install",
-        lambda force=False, system=False, run_as_user=None, enable_on_startup=True: calls.append(("install", force, system, run_as_user, enable_on_startup)),
+        lambda force=False, system=False, run_as_user=None, enable_on_startup=True, **kw: calls.append(("install", force, system, run_as_user, enable_on_startup)),
     )
     monkeypatch.setattr(gateway, "systemd_start", lambda system=False: calls.append(("start", system)))
 
@@ -817,6 +819,119 @@ def test_gateway_install_can_decline_start_now_and_startup(monkeypatch):
     ]
 
 
+def test_gateway_install_systemd_honors_start_now_flag(monkeypatch):
+    """--start-now / --no-start-now should bypass the interactive prompt."""
+    monkeypatch.setattr(gateway, "supports_systemd_services", lambda: True)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(gateway, "is_wsl", lambda: False)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(gateway, "is_macos", lambda: False)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(gateway, "is_managed", lambda: False)
+
+    calls = []
+    monkeypatch.setattr(gateway, "prompt_yes_no", lambda question, default=True: calls.append(("prompt", question)))
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        gateway,
+        "systemd_install",
+        lambda force=False, system=False, run_as_user=None, enable_on_startup=True, **kw: calls.append(("install", enable_on_startup)),
+    )
+    monkeypatch.setattr(gateway, "systemd_start", lambda system=False: calls.append(("start",)))
+
+    args = SimpleNamespace(
+        gateway_command="install", force=False, system=False,
+        run_as_user=None, start_now=True, start_on_login=False,
+    )
+    gateway.gateway_command(args)
+
+    assert ("prompt", "Start the gateway now after installing the service?") not in calls
+    assert ("start",) in calls
+    assert ("install", False) in calls
+
+
+def test_gateway_install_systemd_non_tty_uses_defaults(monkeypatch):
+    """Non-TTY stdin (headless/CI) should use True defaults without prompting."""
+    monkeypatch.setattr(gateway, "supports_systemd_services", lambda: True)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(gateway, "is_wsl", lambda: False)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(gateway, "is_macos", lambda: False)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(gateway, "is_managed", lambda: False)
+    monkeypatch.setattr("sys.stdin.isatty", lambda: False)
+
+    calls = []
+    monkeypatch.setattr(gateway, "prompt_yes_no", lambda question, default=True: calls.append(("prompt", question)))
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        gateway,
+        "systemd_install",
+        lambda force=False, system=False, run_as_user=None, enable_on_startup=True, **kw: calls.append(("install", enable_on_startup)),
+    )
+    monkeypatch.setattr(gateway, "systemd_start", lambda system=False: calls.append(("start",)))
+
+    args = SimpleNamespace(gateway_command="install", force=False, system=False, run_as_user=None)
+    gateway.gateway_command(args)
+
+    # No prompts — defaults used (start_now=True, start_on_login=True)
+    assert all(c[0] != "prompt" for c in calls)
+    assert ("install", True) in calls
+    assert ("start",) in calls
+
+
+def test_gateway_install_systemd_no_start_now_flag_non_tty(monkeypatch):
+    """--no-start-now in non-TTY should skip starting the service."""
+    monkeypatch.setattr(gateway, "supports_systemd_services", lambda: True)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(gateway, "is_wsl", lambda: False)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(gateway, "is_macos", lambda: False)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(gateway, "is_managed", lambda: False)
+    monkeypatch.setattr("sys.stdin.isatty", lambda: False)
+
+    calls = []
+    monkeypatch.setattr(gateway, "prompt_yes_no", lambda question, default=True: calls.append(("prompt", question)))
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        gateway,
+        "systemd_install",
+        lambda force=False, system=False, run_as_user=None, enable_on_startup=True, **kw: calls.append(("install", enable_on_startup)),
+    )
+    monkeypatch.setattr(gateway, "systemd_start", lambda system=False: calls.append(("start",)))
+
+    args = SimpleNamespace(
+        gateway_command="install", force=False, system=False,
+        run_as_user=None, start_now=False, start_on_login=True,
+    )
+    gateway.gateway_command(args)
+
+    assert all(c[0] != "prompt" for c in calls)
+    assert ("install", True) in calls
+    assert ("start",) not in calls
+
+
+def test_gateway_install_noninteractive_skips_legacy_unit_prompt(monkeypatch, tmp_path):
+    """In non-TTY, the legacy-unit removal prompt in systemd_install is skipped.
+
+    Covers the second hidden prompt that --start-now/--start-on-login do not
+    guard. Originally contributed via PR #42124 (kyssta-exe).
+    """
+    monkeypatch.setattr(gateway, "has_legacy_hermes_units", lambda: True)
+
+    calls = []
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        gateway,
+        "prompt_yes_no",
+        lambda question, default=True: calls.append(("prompt", question)) or True,
+    )
+    monkeypatch.setattr(gateway, "remove_legacy_hermes_units", lambda interactive=False: calls.append(("remove_legacy",)))
+    monkeypatch.setattr(gateway, "print_legacy_unit_warning", lambda: None)
+
+    fake_path = tmp_path / "hermes-gateway.service"
+    monkeypatch.setattr(gateway, "get_systemd_unit_path", lambda system=False: fake_path)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(gateway, "generate_systemd_unit", lambda system=False, run_as_user=None: "[Service]")
+    monkeypatch.setattr(gateway, "_run_systemctl", lambda *a, **kw: None)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(gateway, "_ensure_linger_enabled", lambda: None)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(gateway, "print_systemd_scope_conflict_warning", lambda: None)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(gateway, "_service_scope_label", lambda system=False: "user")
+
+    gateway.systemd_install(non_interactive=True)
+
+    # Legacy units removed without prompting.
+    assert ("remove_legacy",) in calls
+    assert all(c[0] != "prompt" for c in calls)
+
+
 def test_find_gateway_pids_falls_back_to_pid_file_when_process_scan_fails(monkeypatch):
     monkeypatch.setattr(gateway, "_get_service_pids", lambda: set())
     monkeypatch.setattr(gateway, "is_windows", lambda: False)

2 PRs closed without merging

From the close comments: merged via another change 2

#42071 fix(gateway): honor --start-now/--start-on-login flags and support non-TTY headless installs · merged via another change → 831d443, #54163, #42124
#42124 fix(gateway): skip interactive prompts in non-TTY for gateway install (#42065) · merged via another change → #54163, #42071

Closed issues · 1

Closed#42065`hermes gateway install` is non-bypassable interactive on systemd — breaks headless installs (regression in v2026.5.28)

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At a glance

Subsystem: hermes cli
Merged PRs: #54163
Closed issues: 1
Attempts: 2 PRs closed without merging
Fix link checked: 28 Jun 2026

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