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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.

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

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.

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

Tips for good triggers

Keep phrases short but unique

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

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

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

Start simple

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

Next steps

Matching modes

Understand prefix, exact, and contains matching.

Explore trigger types

See all 15 action types.