fix: sync session_id after mid-run context compression

Critical bug: when the agent's context compressor fires during a tool
loop (_compress_context), it creates a new session_id and writes the
compressed messages there. But the gateway's session_entry still pointed
to the old session_id. On the next message, load_transcript() loaded
the stale pre-compression transcript, causing:

- Context bloat returning every turn
- Repeated compression cycles
- Loss of carefully compressed context

Fix: after run_conversation() returns, check if the agent's session_id
changed (compression split) and sync it back to the session store entry.
Also pass the effective session_id in the result dict so _handle_message
writes transcript entries to the correct session.

This affects ALL gateway adapters, not just webhook.

gateway/platforms/base.py

@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ from gateway.session import SessionSource, build_session_key
 
 GATEWAY_SECRET_CAPTURE_UNSUPPORTED_MESSAGE = (
     "Secure secret entry is not supported over messaging. "
-    "Run `hermes setup` or update ~/.hermes/.env locally."
+    "Load this skill in the local CLI to be prompted, or add the key to ~/.hermes/.env manually."
 )
 
 

gateway/run.py

@@ -1446,6 +1446,11 @@ class GatewayRunner:
             response = agent_result.get("final_response", "")
             agent_messages = agent_result.get("messages", [])
 
+            # If the agent's session_id changed during compression, update
+            # session_entry so transcript writes below go to the right session.
+            if agent_result.get("session_id") and agent_result["session_id"] != session_entry.session_id:
+                session_entry.session_id = agent_result["session_id"]
+
             # Prepend reasoning/thinking if display is enabled
             if getattr(self, "_show_reasoning", False) and response:
                 last_reasoning = agent_result.get("last_reasoning")
@@ -3495,6 +3500,23 @@ class GatewayRunner:
                         unique_tags.insert(0, "[[audio_as_voice]]")
                     final_response = final_response + "\n" + "\n".join(unique_tags)
             
+            # Sync session_id: the agent may have created a new session during
+            # mid-run context compression (_compress_context splits sessions).
+            # If so, update the session store entry so the NEXT message loads
+            # the compressed transcript, not the stale pre-compression one.
+            agent = agent_holder[0]
+            if agent and session_key and hasattr(agent, 'session_id') and agent.session_id != session_id:
+                logger.info(
+                    "Session split detected: %s → %s (compression)",
+                    session_id, agent.session_id,
+                )
+                entry = self.session_store._entries.get(session_key)
+                if entry:
+                    entry.session_id = agent.session_id
+                    self.session_store._save()
+
+            effective_session_id = getattr(agent, 'session_id', session_id) if agent else session_id
+
             return {
                 "final_response": final_response,
                 "last_reasoning": result.get("last_reasoning"),
@@ -3503,6 +3525,7 @@ class GatewayRunner:
                 "tools": tools_holder[0] or [],
                 "history_offset": len(agent_history),
                 "last_prompt_tokens": _last_prompt_toks,
+                "session_id": effective_session_id,
             }
         
         # Start progress message sender if enabled

run_agent.py

@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ Usage:
 """
 
 import atexit
+import concurrent.futures
 import copy
 import hashlib
 import json
@@ -193,6 +194,14 @@ class IterationBudget:
             return max(0, self.max_total - self._used)
 
 
+# Tools that must never run concurrently (interactive / user-facing).
+# When any of these appear in a batch, we fall back to sequential execution.
+_NEVER_PARALLEL_TOOLS = frozenset({"clarify"})
+
+# Maximum number of concurrent worker threads for parallel tool execution.
+_MAX_TOOL_WORKERS = 8
+
+
 class AIAgent:
     """
     AI Agent with tool calling capabilities.
@@ -3122,7 +3131,260 @@ class AIAgent:
         return compressed, new_system_prompt
 
     def _execute_tool_calls(self, assistant_message, messages: list, effective_task_id: str, api_call_count: int = 0) -> None:
-        """Execute tool calls from the assistant message and append results to messages."""
+        """Execute tool calls from the assistant message and append results to messages.
+
+        Dispatches to concurrent execution when multiple independent tool calls
+        are present, falling back to sequential execution for single calls or
+        when interactive tools (e.g. clarify) are in the batch.
+        """
+        tool_calls = assistant_message.tool_calls
+
+        # Single tool call or interactive tool present → sequential
+        if (len(tool_calls) <= 1
+                or any(tc.function.name in _NEVER_PARALLEL_TOOLS for tc in tool_calls)):
+            return self._execute_tool_calls_sequential(
+                assistant_message, messages, effective_task_id, api_call_count
+            )
+
+        # Multiple non-interactive tools → concurrent
+        return self._execute_tool_calls_concurrent(
+            assistant_message, messages, effective_task_id, api_call_count
+        )
+
+    def _invoke_tool(self, function_name: str, function_args: dict, effective_task_id: str) -> str:
+        """Invoke a single tool and return the result string. No display logic.
+
+        Handles both agent-level tools (todo, memory, etc.) and registry-dispatched
+        tools. Used by the concurrent execution path; the sequential path retains
+        its own inline invocation for backward-compatible display handling.
+        """
+        if function_name == "todo":
+            from tools.todo_tool import todo_tool as _todo_tool
+            return _todo_tool(
+                todos=function_args.get("todos"),
+                merge=function_args.get("merge", False),
+                store=self._todo_store,
+            )
+        elif function_name == "session_search":
+            if not self._session_db:
+                return json.dumps({"success": False, "error": "Session database not available."})
+            from tools.session_search_tool import session_search as _session_search
+            return _session_search(
+                query=function_args.get("query", ""),
+                role_filter=function_args.get("role_filter"),
+                limit=function_args.get("limit", 3),
+                db=self._session_db,
+                current_session_id=self.session_id,
+            )
+        elif function_name == "memory":
+            target = function_args.get("target", "memory")
+            from tools.memory_tool import memory_tool as _memory_tool
+            result = _memory_tool(
+                action=function_args.get("action"),
+                target=target,
+                content=function_args.get("content"),
+                old_text=function_args.get("old_text"),
+                store=self._memory_store,
+            )
+            # Also send user observations to Honcho when active
+            if self._honcho and target == "user" and function_args.get("action") == "add":
+                self._honcho_save_user_observation(function_args.get("content", ""))
+            return result
+        elif function_name == "clarify":
+            from tools.clarify_tool import clarify_tool as _clarify_tool
+            return _clarify_tool(
+                question=function_args.get("question", ""),
+                choices=function_args.get("choices"),
+                callback=self.clarify_callback,
+            )
+        elif function_name == "delegate_task":
+            from tools.delegate_tool import delegate_task as _delegate_task
+            return _delegate_task(
+                goal=function_args.get("goal"),
+                context=function_args.get("context"),
+                toolsets=function_args.get("toolsets"),
+                tasks=function_args.get("tasks"),
+                max_iterations=function_args.get("max_iterations"),
+                parent_agent=self,
+            )
+        else:
+            return handle_function_call(
+                function_name, function_args, effective_task_id,
+                enabled_tools=list(self.valid_tool_names) if self.valid_tool_names else None,
+            )
+
+    def _execute_tool_calls_concurrent(self, assistant_message, messages: list, effective_task_id: str, api_call_count: int = 0) -> None:
+        """Execute multiple tool calls concurrently using a thread pool.
+
+        Results are collected in the original tool-call order and appended to
+        messages so the API sees them in the expected sequence.
+        """
+        tool_calls = assistant_message.tool_calls
+        num_tools = len(tool_calls)
+
+        # ── Pre-flight: interrupt check ──────────────────────────────────
+        if self._interrupt_requested:
+            print(f"{self.log_prefix}⚡ Interrupt: skipping {num_tools} tool call(s)")
+            for tc in tool_calls:
+                messages.append({
+                    "role": "tool",
+                    "content": f"[Tool execution cancelled — {tc.function.name} was skipped due to user interrupt]",
+                    "tool_call_id": tc.id,
+                })
+            return
+
+        # ── Parse args + pre-execution bookkeeping ───────────────────────
+        parsed_calls = []  # list of (tool_call, function_name, function_args)
+        for tool_call in tool_calls:
+            function_name = tool_call.function.name
+
+            # Reset nudge counters
+            if function_name == "memory":
+                self._turns_since_memory = 0
+            elif function_name == "skill_manage":
+                self._iters_since_skill = 0
+
+            try:
+                function_args = json.loads(tool_call.function.arguments)
+            except json.JSONDecodeError:
+                function_args = {}
+            if not isinstance(function_args, dict):
+                function_args = {}
+
+            # Checkpoint for file-mutating tools
+            if function_name in ("write_file", "patch") and self._checkpoint_mgr.enabled:
+                try:
+                    file_path = function_args.get("path", "")
+                    if file_path:
+                        work_dir = self._checkpoint_mgr.get_working_dir_for_path(file_path)
+                        self._checkpoint_mgr.ensure_checkpoint(work_dir, f"before {function_name}")
+                except Exception:
+                    pass
+
+            parsed_calls.append((tool_call, function_name, function_args))
+
+        # ── Logging / callbacks ──────────────────────────────────────────
+        tool_names_str = ", ".join(name for _, name, _ in parsed_calls)
+        if not self.quiet_mode:
+            print(f"  ⚡ Concurrent: {num_tools} tool calls — {tool_names_str}")
+            for i, (tc, name, args) in enumerate(parsed_calls, 1):
+                args_str = json.dumps(args, ensure_ascii=False)
+                args_preview = args_str[:self.log_prefix_chars] + "..." if len(args_str) > self.log_prefix_chars else args_str
+                print(f"  📞 Tool {i}: {name}({list(args.keys())}) - {args_preview}")
+
+        for _, name, args in parsed_calls:
+            if self.tool_progress_callback:
+                try:
+                    preview = _build_tool_preview(name, args)
+                    self.tool_progress_callback(name, preview, args)
+                except Exception as cb_err:
+                    logging.debug(f"Tool progress callback error: {cb_err}")
+
+        # ── Concurrent execution ─────────────────────────────────────────
+        # Each slot holds (function_name, function_args, function_result, duration, error_flag)
+        results = [None] * num_tools
+
+        def _run_tool(index, tool_call, function_name, function_args):
+            """Worker function executed in a thread."""
+            start = time.time()
+            try:
+                result = self._invoke_tool(function_name, function_args, effective_task_id)
+            except Exception as tool_error:
+                result = f"Error executing tool '{function_name}': {tool_error}"
+                logger.error("_invoke_tool raised for %s: %s", function_name, tool_error, exc_info=True)
+            duration = time.time() - start
+            is_error, _ = _detect_tool_failure(function_name, result)
+            results[index] = (function_name, function_args, result, duration, is_error)
+
+        # Start spinner for CLI mode
+        spinner = None
+        if self.quiet_mode:
+            face = random.choice(KawaiiSpinner.KAWAII_WAITING)
+            spinner = KawaiiSpinner(f"{face} ⚡ running {num_tools} tools concurrently", spinner_type='dots')
+            spinner.start()
+
+        try:
+            max_workers = min(num_tools, _MAX_TOOL_WORKERS)
+            with concurrent.futures.ThreadPoolExecutor(max_workers=max_workers) as executor:
+                futures = []
+                for i, (tc, name, args) in enumerate(parsed_calls):
+                    f = executor.submit(_run_tool, i, tc, name, args)
+                    futures.append(f)
+
+                # Wait for all to complete (exceptions are captured inside _run_tool)
+                concurrent.futures.wait(futures)
+        finally:
+            if spinner:
+                # Build a summary message for the spinner stop
+                completed = sum(1 for r in results if r is not None)
+                total_dur = sum(r[3] for r in results if r is not None)
+                spinner.stop(f"⚡ {completed}/{num_tools} tools completed in {total_dur:.1f}s total")
+
+        # ── Post-execution: display per-tool results ─────────────────────
+        for i, (tc, name, args) in enumerate(parsed_calls):
+            r = results[i]
+            if r is None:
+                # Shouldn't happen, but safety fallback
+                function_result = f"Error executing tool '{name}': thread did not return a result"
+                tool_duration = 0.0
+            else:
+                function_name, function_args, function_result, tool_duration, is_error = r
+
+                if is_error:
+                    result_preview = function_result[:200] if len(function_result) > 200 else function_result
+                    logger.warning("Tool %s returned error (%.2fs): %s", function_name, tool_duration, result_preview)
+
+                if self.verbose_logging:
+                    result_preview = function_result[:200] if len(function_result) > 200 else function_result
+                    logging.debug(f"Tool {function_name} completed in {tool_duration:.2f}s")
+                    logging.debug(f"Tool result preview: {result_preview}...")
+
+            # Print cute message per tool
+            if self.quiet_mode:
+                cute_msg = _get_cute_tool_message_impl(name, args, tool_duration, result=function_result)
+                print(f"  {cute_msg}")
+            elif not self.quiet_mode:
+                response_preview = function_result[:self.log_prefix_chars] + "..." if len(function_result) > self.log_prefix_chars else function_result
+                print(f"  ✅ Tool {i+1} completed in {tool_duration:.2f}s - {response_preview}")
+
+            # Truncate oversized results
+            MAX_TOOL_RESULT_CHARS = 100_000
+            if len(function_result) > MAX_TOOL_RESULT_CHARS:
+                original_len = len(function_result)
+                function_result = (
+                    function_result[:MAX_TOOL_RESULT_CHARS]
+                    + f"\n\n[Truncated: tool response was {original_len:,} chars, "
+                    f"exceeding the {MAX_TOOL_RESULT_CHARS:,} char limit]"
+                )
+
+            # Append tool result message in order
+            tool_msg = {
+                "role": "tool",
+                "content": function_result,
+                "tool_call_id": tc.id,
+            }
+            messages.append(tool_msg)
+
+        # ── Budget pressure injection ────────────────────────────────────
+        budget_warning = self._get_budget_warning(api_call_count)
+        if budget_warning and messages and messages[-1].get("role") == "tool":
+            last_content = messages[-1]["content"]
+            try:
+                parsed = json.loads(last_content)
+                if isinstance(parsed, dict):
+                    parsed["_budget_warning"] = budget_warning
+                    messages[-1]["content"] = json.dumps(parsed, ensure_ascii=False)
+                else:
+                    messages[-1]["content"] = last_content + f"\n\n{budget_warning}"
+            except (json.JSONDecodeError, TypeError):
+                messages[-1]["content"] = last_content + f"\n\n{budget_warning}"
+            if not self.quiet_mode:
+                remaining = self.max_iterations - api_call_count
+                tier = "⚠️  WARNING" if remaining <= self.max_iterations * 0.1 else "💡 CAUTION"
+                print(f"{self.log_prefix}{tier}: {remaining} iterations remaining")
+
+    def _execute_tool_calls_sequential(self, assistant_message, messages: list, effective_task_id: str, api_call_count: int = 0) -> None:
+        """Execute tool calls sequentially (original behavior). Used for single calls or interactive tools."""
         for i, tool_call in enumerate(assistant_message.tool_calls, 1):
             # SAFETY: check interrupt BEFORE starting each tool.
             # If the user sent "stop" during a previous tool's execution,

tests/agent/test_skill_commands.py

@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ Generate some audio.
                 msg = build_skill_invocation_message("/test-skill", "do stuff")
 
         assert msg is not None
-        assert "hermes setup" in msg.lower()
+        assert "local cli" in msg.lower()
 
     def test_preserves_remaining_remote_setup_warning(self, tmp_path, monkeypatch):
         monkeypatch.setenv("TERMINAL_ENV", "ssh")

tests/gateway/test_platform_base.py

@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ from gateway.platforms.base import (
 class TestSecretCaptureGuidance:
     def test_gateway_secret_capture_message_points_to_local_setup(self):
         message = GATEWAY_SECRET_CAPTURE_UNSUPPORTED_MESSAGE
-        assert "hermes setup" in message.lower()
+        assert "local cli" in message.lower()
         assert "~/.hermes/.env" in message
 
 

tests/test_run_agent.py

@@ -702,6 +702,168 @@ class TestExecuteToolCalls:
         assert "Truncated" in messages[0]["content"]
 
 
+class TestConcurrentToolExecution:
+    """Tests for _execute_tool_calls_concurrent and dispatch logic."""
+
+    def test_single_tool_uses_sequential_path(self, agent):
+        """Single tool call should use sequential path, not concurrent."""
+        tc = _mock_tool_call(name="web_search", arguments='{"q":"test"}', call_id="c1")
+        mock_msg = _mock_assistant_msg(content="", tool_calls=[tc])
+        messages = []
+        with patch.object(agent, "_execute_tool_calls_sequential") as mock_seq:
+            with patch.object(agent, "_execute_tool_calls_concurrent") as mock_con:
+                agent._execute_tool_calls(mock_msg, messages, "task-1")
+                mock_seq.assert_called_once()
+                mock_con.assert_not_called()
+
+    def test_clarify_forces_sequential(self, agent):
+        """Batch containing clarify should use sequential path."""
+        tc1 = _mock_tool_call(name="web_search", arguments='{}', call_id="c1")
+        tc2 = _mock_tool_call(name="clarify", arguments='{"question":"ok?"}', call_id="c2")
+        mock_msg = _mock_assistant_msg(content="", tool_calls=[tc1, tc2])
+        messages = []
+        with patch.object(agent, "_execute_tool_calls_sequential") as mock_seq:
+            with patch.object(agent, "_execute_tool_calls_concurrent") as mock_con:
+                agent._execute_tool_calls(mock_msg, messages, "task-1")
+                mock_seq.assert_called_once()
+                mock_con.assert_not_called()
+
+    def test_multiple_tools_uses_concurrent_path(self, agent):
+        """Multiple non-interactive tools should use concurrent path."""
+        tc1 = _mock_tool_call(name="web_search", arguments='{}', call_id="c1")
+        tc2 = _mock_tool_call(name="read_file", arguments='{"path":"x.py"}', call_id="c2")
+        mock_msg = _mock_assistant_msg(content="", tool_calls=[tc1, tc2])
+        messages = []
+        with patch.object(agent, "_execute_tool_calls_sequential") as mock_seq:
+            with patch.object(agent, "_execute_tool_calls_concurrent") as mock_con:
+                agent._execute_tool_calls(mock_msg, messages, "task-1")
+                mock_con.assert_called_once()
+                mock_seq.assert_not_called()
+
+    def test_concurrent_executes_all_tools(self, agent):
+        """Concurrent path should execute all tools and append results in order."""
+        tc1 = _mock_tool_call(name="web_search", arguments='{"q":"alpha"}', call_id="c1")
+        tc2 = _mock_tool_call(name="web_search", arguments='{"q":"beta"}', call_id="c2")
+        tc3 = _mock_tool_call(name="web_search", arguments='{"q":"gamma"}', call_id="c3")
+        mock_msg = _mock_assistant_msg(content="", tool_calls=[tc1, tc2, tc3])
+        messages = []
+
+        call_log = []
+
+        def fake_handle(name, args, task_id, **kwargs):
+            call_log.append(name)
+            return json.dumps({"result": args.get("q", "")})
+
+        with patch("run_agent.handle_function_call", side_effect=fake_handle):
+            agent._execute_tool_calls_concurrent(mock_msg, messages, "task-1")
+
+        assert len(messages) == 3
+        # Results must be in original order
+        assert messages[0]["tool_call_id"] == "c1"
+        assert messages[1]["tool_call_id"] == "c2"
+        assert messages[2]["tool_call_id"] == "c3"
+        # All should be tool messages
+        assert all(m["role"] == "tool" for m in messages)
+        # Content should contain the query results
+        assert "alpha" in messages[0]["content"]
+        assert "beta" in messages[1]["content"]
+        assert "gamma" in messages[2]["content"]
+
+    def test_concurrent_preserves_order_despite_timing(self, agent):
+        """Even if tools finish in different order, messages should be in original order."""
+        import time as _time
+
+        tc1 = _mock_tool_call(name="web_search", arguments='{"q":"slow"}', call_id="c1")
+        tc2 = _mock_tool_call(name="web_search", arguments='{"q":"fast"}', call_id="c2")
+        mock_msg = _mock_assistant_msg(content="", tool_calls=[tc1, tc2])
+        messages = []
+
+        def fake_handle(name, args, task_id, **kwargs):
+            q = args.get("q", "")
+            if q == "slow":
+                _time.sleep(0.1)  # Slow tool
+            return f"result_{q}"
+
+        with patch("run_agent.handle_function_call", side_effect=fake_handle):
+            agent._execute_tool_calls_concurrent(mock_msg, messages, "task-1")
+
+        assert messages[0]["tool_call_id"] == "c1"
+        assert "result_slow" in messages[0]["content"]
+        assert messages[1]["tool_call_id"] == "c2"
+        assert "result_fast" in messages[1]["content"]
+
+    def test_concurrent_handles_tool_error(self, agent):
+        """If one tool raises, others should still complete."""
+        tc1 = _mock_tool_call(name="web_search", arguments='{}', call_id="c1")
+        tc2 = _mock_tool_call(name="web_search", arguments='{}', call_id="c2")
+        mock_msg = _mock_assistant_msg(content="", tool_calls=[tc1, tc2])
+        messages = []
+
+        call_count = [0]
+        def fake_handle(name, args, task_id, **kwargs):
+            call_count[0] += 1
+            if call_count[0] == 1:
+                raise RuntimeError("boom")
+            return "success"
+
+        with patch("run_agent.handle_function_call", side_effect=fake_handle):
+            agent._execute_tool_calls_concurrent(mock_msg, messages, "task-1")
+
+        assert len(messages) == 2
+        # First tool should have error
+        assert "Error" in messages[0]["content"] or "boom" in messages[0]["content"]
+        # Second tool should succeed
+        assert "success" in messages[1]["content"]
+
+    def test_concurrent_interrupt_before_start(self, agent):
+        """If interrupt is requested before concurrent execution, all tools are skipped."""
+        tc1 = _mock_tool_call(name="web_search", arguments='{}', call_id="c1")
+        tc2 = _mock_tool_call(name="read_file", arguments='{}', call_id="c2")
+        mock_msg = _mock_assistant_msg(content="", tool_calls=[tc1, tc2])
+        messages = []
+
+        with patch("run_agent._set_interrupt"):
+            agent.interrupt()
+
+        agent._execute_tool_calls_concurrent(mock_msg, messages, "task-1")
+        assert len(messages) == 2
+        assert "cancelled" in messages[0]["content"].lower() or "skipped" in messages[0]["content"].lower()
+        assert "cancelled" in messages[1]["content"].lower() or "skipped" in messages[1]["content"].lower()
+
+    def test_concurrent_truncates_large_results(self, agent):
+        """Concurrent path should truncate results over 100k chars."""
+        tc1 = _mock_tool_call(name="web_search", arguments='{}', call_id="c1")
+        tc2 = _mock_tool_call(name="web_search", arguments='{}', call_id="c2")
+        mock_msg = _mock_assistant_msg(content="", tool_calls=[tc1, tc2])
+        messages = []
+        big_result = "x" * 150_000
+
+        with patch("run_agent.handle_function_call", return_value=big_result):
+            agent._execute_tool_calls_concurrent(mock_msg, messages, "task-1")
+
+        assert len(messages) == 2
+        for m in messages:
+            assert len(m["content"]) < 150_000
+            assert "Truncated" in m["content"]
+
+    def test_invoke_tool_dispatches_to_handle_function_call(self, agent):
+        """_invoke_tool should route regular tools through handle_function_call."""
+        with patch("run_agent.handle_function_call", return_value="result") as mock_hfc:
+            result = agent._invoke_tool("web_search", {"q": "test"}, "task-1")
+            mock_hfc.assert_called_once_with(
+                "web_search", {"q": "test"}, "task-1",
+                enabled_tools=list(agent.valid_tool_names),
+            )
+        assert result == "result"
+
+    def test_invoke_tool_handles_agent_level_tools(self, agent):
+        """_invoke_tool should handle todo tool directly."""
+        with patch("tools.todo_tool.todo_tool", return_value='{"ok":true}') as mock_todo:
+            result = agent._invoke_tool("todo", {"todos": []}, "task-1")
+            mock_todo.assert_called_once()
+        assert "ok" in result
+
+
 class TestHandleMaxIterations:
     def test_returns_summary(self, agent):
         resp = _mock_response(content="Here is a summary of what I did.")

tests/tools/test_interrupt.py

@@ -91,8 +91,11 @@ class TestPreToolCheck:
         agent._persist_session = MagicMock()
 
         # Import and call the method
+        import types
         from run_agent import AIAgent
-        # Bind the real method to our mock
+        # Bind the real methods to our mock so dispatch works correctly
+        agent._execute_tool_calls_sequential = types.MethodType(AIAgent._execute_tool_calls_sequential, agent)
+        agent._execute_tool_calls_concurrent = types.MethodType(AIAgent._execute_tool_calls_concurrent, agent)
         AIAgent._execute_tool_calls(agent, assistant_msg, messages, "default")
 
         # All 3 should be skipped

tests/tools/test_skills_tool.py

@@ -511,7 +511,7 @@ class TestSkillViewSecureSetupOnLoad:
         result = json.loads(raw)
         assert result["success"] is True
         assert called["value"] is False
-        assert "hermes setup" in result["gateway_setup_hint"].lower()
+        assert "local cli" in result["gateway_setup_hint"].lower()
         assert result["content"].startswith("---")
 
 
@@ -845,7 +845,7 @@ class TestSkillViewPrerequisites:
                 raw = skill_view("backend-unknown")
         result = json.loads(raw)
         assert result["success"] is True
-        assert "hermes setup" in result["gateway_setup_hint"].lower()
+        assert "local cli" in result["gateway_setup_hint"].lower()
         assert result["setup_needed"] is True
 
     @pytest.mark.parametrize(

tools/skills_tool.py

@@ -394,7 +394,7 @@ def _gateway_setup_hint() -> str:
 
         return GATEWAY_SECRET_CAPTURE_UNSUPPORTED_MESSAGE
     except Exception:
-        return "Secure secret entry is not available. Run `hermes setup` or update ~/.hermes/.env locally."
+        return "Secure secret entry is not available. Load this skill in the local CLI to be prompted, or add the key to ~/.hermes/.env manually."
 
 
 def _build_setup_note(