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Create a web search trigger

Let’s create a trigger that searches Google when you say “search google for…”
1

Open Triggers

Go to Settings → Triggers in Hermes.
2

Click New Trigger

Click the + or New Trigger button.
3

Enter the trigger phrase

Type: search google forThis is what you’ll say to activate the trigger.
4

Choose matching mode

Select: PrefixThis means the trigger activates when your speech starts with “search google for”, and everything after becomes your search query.
5

Select action type

Choose: Web Search
6

Configure the action

  • Search Engine: Google
  • Browser: Default
Leave other settings as default.
7

Save

Click Save or Create.

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Test your trigger

  1. Press your dictation hotkey
  2. Say: “search google for best coffee shops nearby”
  3. Release the hotkey
  4. Google opens with your search

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Create a window layout trigger

Let’s create a trigger that snaps your window to the left half of the screen.
1

Open Triggers

Go to Settings → Triggers.
2

Click New Trigger

Click + or New Trigger.
3

Enter the trigger phrase

Type: window left
4

Choose matching mode

Select: ExactThis means the trigger only activates when you say exactly “window left”.
5

Select action type

Choose: Window Layout
6

Configure the action

  • Layout: Left Half
7

Save

Click Save.

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Test your trigger

  1. Open any window
  2. Press your dictation hotkey
  3. Say: “window left”
  4. Release the hotkey
  5. The window snaps to the left half

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Tips for good triggers

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Keep phrases short but unique

  • Good: “search google for” — short, distinctive
  • Bad: “I want to search” — too generic, might match normal speech

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Avoid phrases you use naturally

If your trigger phrase appears in normal conversation, it will activate unexpectedly.
  • Good: “window left” — unlikely to say in conversation
  • Bad: “can you” — you probably say this often

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Use consistent patterns

Create a naming convention for your triggers:
  • “search [engine] for” — Google, DuckDuckGo, YouTube
  • “window [position]” — left, right, maximize
  • “open [app]” — Slack, Safari, Terminal

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Start simple

Begin with simple actions like web search and window layouts. Move to advanced triggers (Terminal, AI Calls) once you’re comfortable.

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Next steps

Matching modes

Understand prefix, exact, and contains matching.

Explore trigger types

See all 15 action types.