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Three matching modes

When you create a trigger, you choose how the phrase should be matched:
ModeMatches when…Best for
PrefixSpeech starts with the phraseCommands with variable input
ExactSpeech is exactly the phraseSingle-action commands
ContainsPhrase appears anywhere in speechFlexible matching

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Prefix match

The most common mode. The trigger activates when your speech starts with the trigger phrase. Everything after the phrase becomes the “remainder” — available for use in your action.

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Example

Trigger phrase: "search google for"
Matching mode:  Prefix

Speech: "search google for best coffee nearby"
         └── phrase ──┘ └─── remainder ───┘

✅ Match! Remainder = "best coffee nearby"

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Use cases

  • Web search: “search google for [query]”
  • App launch: “open [app name]”
  • AI prompts: “ask hermes [question]“

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The remainder

In prefix mode, the text after your trigger phrase is captured as the {remainder} variable. Use it in your action configuration:
  • Web search: The remainder becomes the search query
  • AI calls: The remainder becomes part of your prompt
  • Text expansion: The remainder can be inserted in templates

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Exact match

The trigger only activates when your speech is exactly the trigger phrase — nothing more, nothing less.

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Example

Trigger phrase: "window left"
Matching mode:  Exact

Speech: "window left"
✅ Match!

Speech: "window left please"
❌ No match (extra words)

Speech: "move window left"
❌ No match (extra words at start)

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Use cases

  • Window layouts: “maximize”, “fullscreen”
  • Single actions: “paste”, “undo”
  • Precise commands: “lock screen”

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When to use exact

Use exact matching when:
  • You don’t need any variable input
  • You want to avoid accidental triggers
  • The action is a single, specific command

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Contains match

The trigger activates when the phrase appears anywhere in your speech.

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Example

Trigger phrase: "reminder"
Matching mode:  Contains

Speech: "set a reminder for tomorrow"
✅ Match!

Speech: "reminder to call mom"
✅ Match!

Speech: "don't forget the reminder"
✅ Match!

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Use cases

  • Keyword detection: Trigger on specific words regardless of context
  • Natural speech: Allow more conversational phrasing
  • Flexible matching: When exact position doesn’t matter

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Caution

Contains mode can trigger unexpectedly if your phrase is a common word. Use distinctive phrases.

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How matching works

Hermes uses a smart matching system with multiple fallback levels:

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1. Exact match

First, Hermes checks if your normalized speech exactly matches a trigger phrase.

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2. Smart matching

Handles minor variations:
  • Plurals: “windows” matches “window”
  • Compound words: “screenshot” matches “screen shot”

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3. Fuzzy matching

Allows small errors (typos or misheard words):
  • Maximum 2 character difference
  • First character must match
  • Short phrases (under 5 characters) allow only 1 difference

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4. Phonetic matching

Matches words that sound alike:
  • “write” matches “right”
  • “there” matches “their”

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Normalization

Before matching, Hermes normalizes your speech:
  • Converts to lowercase
  • Removes punctuation
  • Collapses multiple spaces
  • Replaces hyphens with spaces
This means “Window-Left!” matches “window left”.

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Choosing the right mode

ScenarioRecommended Mode
Search with a queryPrefix
Open app by namePrefix
Snap window to positionExact
Toggle a settingExact
Detect a keyword anywhereContains
Natural language commandContains

Creating triggers

Step-by-step trigger creation.

Variables

Use remainder and other variables.