> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.hermesvoice.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# What Are Triggers?

> Automate actions with voice commands—search the web, open apps, control windows, and more.

## The concept

Triggers let you automate actions with your voice. When Hermes hears a specific phrase, it performs an action instead of (or in addition to) typing text.

```
You say: "search google for best coffee shops nearby"
         └── trigger ──┘ └────── remainder ───────┘

Trigger phrase: "search google for"
Action: Opens Google with "best coffee shops nearby"
```

## Why use triggers?

* **Speed** — Actions happen instantly, no clicking or typing
* **Hands-free** — Control your Mac without touching it
* **Consistency** — Same phrase, same result, every time
* **Power** — Chain complex workflows together

***

## Trigger anatomy

Every trigger has these components:

| Component          | Description                                         |
| ------------------ | --------------------------------------------------- |
| **Trigger Phrase** | The words that activate the trigger                 |
| **Matching Mode**  | How the phrase is matched (prefix, exact, contains) |
| **Action Type**    | What happens when triggered                         |
| **Action Config**  | Settings specific to that action                    |
| **Enabled**        | Whether the trigger is active                       |

***

## Trigger types

Hermes supports 16 types of actions:

| Type                                                     | What it does                                                   | Complexity |
| -------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------- |
| [Snippets](/triggers/types/snippets)                     | Replace phrase with text                                       | Simple     |
| [Web Search](/triggers/types/web-search)                 | Search the web                                                 | Simple     |
| [App Launcher](/triggers/types/app-launcher)             | Open applications                                              | Simple     |
| [Note Capture](/triggers/types/note-capture)             | Save a note by voice                                           | Simple     |
| [Window Layout](/triggers/types/window-layout)           | Snap windows to positions                                      | Simple     |
| [Keyboard Shortcuts](/triggers/types/keyboard-shortcuts) | Simulate key presses                                           | Medium     |
| [Apple Shortcuts](/triggers/types/apple-shortcuts)       | Run Shortcuts app workflows                                    | Medium     |
| [Terminal Commands](/triggers/types/terminal)            | Run shell commands                                             | Advanced   |
| [AI Calls](/triggers/types/ai-calls)                     | Custom AI responses                                            | Advanced   |
| [Text Formatting](/triggers/types/text-formatting)       | Edit/reply to text with AI                                     | Medium     |
| [File Actions](/triggers/types/file-actions)             | Find files, open folders, take screenshots, and record screens | Medium     |

***

## How triggers work

1. **You speak** — "window left"
2. **Hermes transcribes** — Converts speech to text
3. **Trigger matching** — Checks if any trigger phrase matches
4. **Action execution** — Runs the associated action
5. **Result** — Window snaps to left half of screen

The whole process takes about a second.

***

## Getting started

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Create your first trigger" icon="plus" href="/triggers/creating-triggers">
    Step-by-step guide to making a trigger.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Matching modes" icon="crosshairs" href="/triggers/matching-modes">
    How trigger phrases are matched.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Default triggers" icon="list-check" href="/triggers/defaults">
    Pre-built triggers you can enable.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Variables" icon="code" href="/triggers/variables">
    Use dynamic values in your triggers.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>