BlueBubbles (iMessage)

Connect Hermes to Apple iMessage via BlueBubbles — a free, open-source macOS server that bridges iMessage to any device.

Prerequisites

A Mac (always on) running BlueBubbles Server
Apple ID signed into Messages.app on that Mac
BlueBubbles Server v1.0.0+ (webhooks require this version)
Network connectivity between Hermes and the BlueBubbles server

Setup

1. Install BlueBubbles Server

Download and install from bluebubbles.app. Complete the setup wizard — sign in with your Apple ID and configure a connection method (local network, Ngrok, Cloudflare, or Dynamic DNS).

2. Get your Server URL and Password

In BlueBubbles Server → Settings → API, note:

Server URL (e.g., http://192.168.1.10:1234)
Server Password

3. Configure Hermes

Run the setup wizard:

hermes gateway setup

Select BlueBubbles (iMessage) and enter your server URL and password.

Or set environment variables directly in ~/.hermes/.env:

BLUEBUBBLES_SERVER_URL=http://192.168.1.10:1234
BLUEBUBBLES_PASSWORD=your-server-password

4. Authorize Users

Choose one approach:

DM Pairing (recommended): When someone messages your iMessage, Hermes automatically sends them a pairing code. Approve it with:

hermes pairing approve bluebubbles <CODE>

Use hermes pairing list to see pending codes and approved users.

Pre-authorize specific users (in ~/.hermes/.env):

BLUEBUBBLES_ALLOWED_USERS=user@icloud.com,+15551234567

Open access (in ~/.hermes/.env):

BLUEBUBBLES_ALLOW_ALL_USERS=true

5. Start the Gateway

hermes gateway run

Hermes will connect to your BlueBubbles server, register a webhook, and start listening for iMessage messages.

How It Works

iMessage → Messages.app → BlueBubbles Server → Webhook → Hermes
Hermes → BlueBubbles REST API → Messages.app → iMessage

Inbound: BlueBubbles sends webhook events to a local listener when new messages arrive. No polling — instant delivery.
Outbound: Hermes sends messages via the BlueBubbles REST API.
Media: Images, voice messages, videos, and documents are supported in both directions. Inbound attachments are downloaded and cached locally for the agent to process.

Environment Variables

Variable	Required	Default	Description
`BLUEBUBBLES_SERVER_URL`	Yes	—	BlueBubbles server URL
`BLUEBUBBLES_PASSWORD`	Yes	—	Server password
`BLUEBUBBLES_WEBHOOK_HOST`	No	`127.0.0.1`	Webhook listener bind address
`BLUEBUBBLES_WEBHOOK_PORT`	No	`8645`	Webhook listener port
`BLUEBUBBLES_WEBHOOK_PATH`	No	`/bluebubbles-webhook`	Webhook URL path
`BLUEBUBBLES_HOME_CHANNEL`	No	—	Phone/email for cron delivery
`BLUEBUBBLES_ALLOWED_USERS`	No	—	Comma-separated authorized users
`BLUEBUBBLES_ALLOW_ALL_USERS`	No	`false`	Allow all users

Auto-marking messages as read is controlled by the send_read_receipts key under platforms.bluebubbles.extra in ~/.hermes/config.yaml (default: true). There is no corresponding environment variable.

Features

Text Messaging

Send and receive iMessages. Markdown is automatically stripped for clean plain-text delivery.

Rich Media

Images: Photos appear natively in the iMessage conversation
Voice messages: Audio files sent as iMessage voice messages
Videos: Video attachments
Documents: Files sent as iMessage attachments

Tapback Reactions

Love, like, dislike, laugh, emphasize, and question reactions. Requires the BlueBubbles Private API helper.

Typing Indicators

Shows “typing…” in the iMessage conversation while the agent is processing. Requires Private API.

Read Receipts

Automatically marks messages as read after processing. Requires Private API.

Chat Addressing

You can address chats by email or phone number — Hermes resolves them to BlueBubbles chat GUIDs automatically. No need to use raw GUID format.

Private API

Some features require the BlueBubbles Private API helper:

Tapback reactions
Typing indicators
Read receipts
Creating new chats by address

Without the Private API, basic text messaging and media still work.

Troubleshooting

”Cannot reach server”

Verify the server URL is correct and the Mac is on
Check that BlueBubbles Server is running
Ensure network connectivity (firewall, port forwarding)

Messages not arriving

Check that the webhook is registered in BlueBubbles Server → Settings → API → Webhooks
Verify the webhook URL is reachable from the Mac
Check hermes logs gateway for webhook errors (or hermes logs -f to follow in real-time)

“Private API helper not connected”

Install the Private API helper: docs.bluebubbles.app
Basic messaging works without it — only reactions, typing, and read receipts require it