Build a local chat server and manage users from your phone

A Hermes agent installed Open WebUI on a home setup and let the owner create and manage accounts remotely, including one for their teen.

Done with Hermes Agent· Intermediate· Jun 2026

What they did
The author runs Qwen3.6-35B-A3B with llama.cpp on a home machine and uses Open WebUI as the chat front end. They asked a Hermes-powered agent, using that same model, to prepare the Open WebUI server and handle account tasks. From the author’s phone, the agent also set up a separate login for the teen.
How it went
The teen now has a private account and uses it whenever they want to look something up. The author says local models are useful for chatting, research, and troubleshooting, but they still keep a paid Anthropic subscription for harder coding-agent jobs.
Tips
For a private setup, a local model can be enough for everyday chat and admin work. If the agent is going to change access, create accounts, or touch network settings, have it stop and wait for approval first.

Try it yourself with Hermes Agent

Set up Open WebUI on [device or server] so it works with my local model running at [model endpoint]. Make the interface available to devices on [home network description], then help me create and manage accounts from my phone. Add an account for [person], confirm it can sign in and chat, and pause for my approval before you change any network settings, delete anything, or take another irreversible step.

Fill in the [brackets]. Agents can make mistakes, so review anything before it is sent, paid or deleted.

Read the original on news.ycombinator.com ↗

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