> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.seaotter.dev/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# What is SEAOTTER?

> SEAOTTER is managed Hermes hosting: the control plane for Hermes Agent on seaotter.dev. Always-on agents on Google Cloud, without a VPS. Not seaotter.ai.

SEAOTTER ([seaotter.dev](https://seaotter.dev)) is **managed Hermes hosting**: the **managed control plane for Hermes Agent**. You create an always-on agent on Google Cloud. SEAOTTER handles isolation, TLS, backups, and lifecycle. You do not own a VPS, watch an installer, or SSH into a box.

[Hermes Agent](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs) is the open-source agent runtime. SEAOTTER provisions that runtime and keeps it running. Hermes stays Hermes.

<Note>
  This product is [**seaotter.dev**](https://seaotter.dev). It is not [seaotter.ai](https://seaotter.ai) (OtterScore / Ocean), a different company.
</Note>

## Who is SEAOTTER for?

Use SEAOTTER when you want Hermes always-on after you close the laptop, and you do not want to own the host.

SEAOTTER fits if you:

* Need an agent that keeps working while you are offline
* Want Cursor, Claude, or Codex to talk to that hosted agent ([Connect from chat](/mcp))
* Prefer pause, restart, restore, and secrets through an API or dashboard instead of SSH

Self-host Hermes if you need the box, a custom runtime fork, or data that never leaves your machines. Both paths are valid. See [Self-host vs managed Hermes](/guides/self-host-vs-managed).

## What does SEAOTTER include?

* **Always-on Hermes** — the agent keeps running after you close the laptop
* **Create, then poll until running** — create returns `status: provisioning` immediately; typical wall time is a few minutes (usually under five)
* **Connect from chat** — Cursor, Claude, or Codex via a `so_…` MCP key ([Connect](/mcp))
* **Write-only secrets** — integration keys in Google Secret Manager, not pasted into chat ([Secrets](/guides/secrets))
* **Lifecycle without SSH** — pause, restart, restore, credentials, and logs through the dashboard or API
* **Per-agent isolation** — each agent runs in its own Kubernetes namespace

A **7-day trial** starts with **no credit card** (one agent). After the trial, the public SKU is **\$99 per agent / month**. Custom is book a call. Startup and Business are not public SKUs. See [pricing](https://seaotter.dev/pricing).

## How does SEAOTTER relate to Hermes Agent?

Hermes Agent is the agent. SEAOTTER is the plane that hosts it.

| Layer        | What it is                                                            | Where to read                                                   |
| ------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Hermes Agent | Open-source runtime: skills, memory, model config                     | [Hermes Agent docs](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs) |
| SEAOTTER     | Managed control plane: provision, secrets, credentials, logs, restore | These docs                                                      |

You still use official Hermes docs for tenant runtime behavior. These pages document create, poll, connect, and operate.

## How does an agent come up?

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create the agent">
    Sign up at [seaotter.dev/sign-up](https://seaotter.dev/sign-up) or call `POST /api/v1/agents`. The response includes `status: provisioning` immediately. Provision continues in the background.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Poll until the dashboard is reachable">
    Poll `GET /api/v1/agents/{id}` and `config.provisioning_stages` until `wizard_reachable` is `ok` and `status` is `running`. Typical wall time is a few minutes, usually under five. Stage order is in [Provisioning lifecycle](/guides/provisioning-lifecycle).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Operate without SSH">
    Connect from Cursor, Claude, or Codex, or use the dashboard and API. Pause, restart, restore, secrets, and credentials do not require a shell on the box.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Which region does SEAOTTER run in?

SEAOTTER runs on **Google Cloud**. The control plane and the live agent data plane are in **Iowa (`us-central1`)**. Other catalog regions (South Carolina, Belgium, Singapore) are Coming soon. SEAOTTER is not active-active multi-region HA. Details: [Regions](/guides/regions).

## What is out of scope?

* SEAOTTER hosts **Hermes Agent**, not a generic container pad or an “any agent” platform
* SEAOTTER is not the only way to run Hermes — [self-host](/guides/self-host-vs-managed) remains valid
* There is no free forever plan — start a 7-day trial with no credit card, then \$99 per agent / month
* SEAOTTER does not currently publish SOC 2 or ISO certifications
* A single agent does not fail over across regions

## What should I read next?

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Quickstart" icon="rocket" href="/">
    Create an agent or connect from chat. Typical wall time is a few minutes.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Self-host vs managed" icon="code-compare" href="/guides/self-host-vs-managed">
    When to keep the VPS, and when the control plane is the better path.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Connect from chat" icon="comments" href="/mcp">
    Use Cursor, Claude, or Codex with a `so_…` key — not local `hermes mcp serve`.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Managed Hermes hosting" icon="book" href="https://seaotter.dev/blog/why-managed-hermes">
    Longer narrative on always-on Hermes without owning the host.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Frequently asked questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Is SEAOTTER the same as seaotter.ai?">
    No. **seaotter.dev** is managed Hermes Agent hosting (this docs site). **seaotter.ai** is a separate OtterScore / Ocean product. Use seaotter.dev for always-on Hermes, Connect, and the control-plane API.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What is Hermes Agent?">
    Hermes Agent is an open-source AI agent. SEAOTTER hosts and operates it. For skills, memory, and Hermes configuration, use the [Hermes Agent docs](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Do I need SSH or a VPS?">
    No. Pause, restart, restore, secrets, logs, and credentials go through the SEAOTTER dashboard or API. You do not SSH into boxes.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How long until an agent is running?">
    Typical wall time is a few minutes, usually under five. Create returns `status: provisioning` immediately. Poll `config.provisioning_stages` until `wizard_reachable` is `ok`. See [Provisioning lifecycle](/guides/provisioning-lifecycle).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Is there a free plan?">
    No free forever tier. Start a **7-day trial with no credit card** (one agent). Add a card to keep that agent at \$99 per agent / month. Miss the window and the trial agent is deleted.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I move off SEAOTTER later?">
    Yes. Hermes is still Hermes. Skills, memory, and model credentials can point at another host or a VPS. SEAOTTER is the plane, not a proprietary agent runtime.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>