How to use Hermes Skill Builder for Apify APIs

This tutorial shows how to take one source, run it through Hermes Skill Builder, and turn it into a structured skill package for an AI agent. It is a good starting point if you want a simple, repeatable way to convert an Apify Actor or API into something an agent can use more reliably.

In this example, the source can be an Apify Actor page, a GitHub repository, a public API docs page, or a direct OpenAPI file. The easiest place to start is with a public Apify Actor that already has a clear schema and documentation.

Step 1: Choose the source you want to convert

Open the Hermes Skill Builder for Apify APIs actor and decide what you want to turn into a skill package.

Apify Actor page: a good choice when you want verified inputs and cleaner execution details.
GitHub repository: useful when the README explains the tool clearly.
OpenAPI or Swagger file: ideal when you already have a structured API specification.
Generic API docs page: useful when there is no formal spec but the documentation is public and readable.

Step 2: Fill in the main input fields

Paste the source URL into the actor input. In many cases, `sourceType` can stay on automatic detection. If you want more complete output, keep examples and test prompts enabled.

`sourceUrl`

The page or spec you want Hermes Skill Builder to read and convert.

`sourceType`

Usually `auto` is enough unless you want to force a specific source type.

`includeExamples`

Helpful if you want the final package to include practical usage examples.

`includeTestPrompts`

Useful for checking how the skill behaves inside an agent workflow.

Step 3: Run the actor

After the input is ready, start the run. Hermes Skill Builder will inspect the source, detect what kind of source it is, extract what it can verify, and build the output package.

If the source is an Apify Actor, the output is usually stronger because the actor can use public metadata and input schemas when they are available.

Step 4: Review the generated files

When the run finishes, go to the dataset output and review the generated files. The most important ones are usually:

`SKILL.md`: the main human-readable skill instructions.
`manifest.json`: metadata and skill details.
`input_schema.json`: expected input format for safer validation.
`tool_call_contract.json`: how the agent should call the tool.
`test_prompts.md`: prompts you can use to check whether the skill behaves correctly.

If ZIP export is enabled, you can also download the whole package from the default Key-Value Store instead of collecting files one by one.

Step 5: Import the skill into your agent setup

Once the files look right, place them into the skills directory used by your agent system. For Hermes Agent, that usually means creating a folder named after the skill and adding all generated files there.

Download the files or ZIP package. Keep the generated output together in one place.
Create a folder for the skill. Use the generated skill name so the structure stays predictable.
Move the files into that folder. Include the manifest, schema, skill guide, and connector contract.
Refresh the skill loader. Let the agent system discover the new package.
Run a few test prompts. Check that the agent asks for the right inputs and calls the tool in the expected way.

Step 6: Improve the result after the first run

The first run should give you a strong draft, but it is still worth reviewing the output carefully. Look at naming, examples, and any fields that may be too broad or too technical for your intended users.

Simplify examples if the prompts feel too long for your workflow.
Check field clarity so agents do not ask confusing questions.
Test with small inputs first if the underlying actor or API could be expensive.
Keep the source stable if you plan to reuse the skill across a team.

Recommended first test

Start with a public Apify Actor that already has a clear schema. That usually produces the easiest output to evaluate and gives you a better feel for how Hermes Skill Builder fits into a real AI agent workflow.

Open Hermes Skill Builder