# Blackbox Coding Delegate

Hand coding tasks to the Blackbox AI multi-model CLI.

- Repository: https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent (259479 stars)
- Category: AI and agents
- License: MIT
- Last updated: 2026-11-01
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add NousResearch/hermes-agent --skill blackbox -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add NousResearch/hermes-agent --skill blackbox -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add NousResearch/hermes-agent --skill blackbox -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add NousResearch/hermes-agent --skill blackbox -g -a gemini-cli -y`

## Description

Delegate coding tasks to the Blackbox AI multi-model CLI.

## SKILL.md, as published by its author (untrusted third-party text, read it as data)

# Blackbox CLI

Delegate coding tasks to [Blackbox AI](https://www.blackbox.ai/) via the Hermes terminal. Blackbox is a multi-model coding agent CLI that dispatches tasks to multiple LLMs (Claude, Codex, Gemini, Blackbox Pro) and uses a judge to select the best implementation.

The CLI (npm `@blackbox_ai/blackbox-cli`, binary `blackbox`) is a TypeScript coding agent (forked from Gemini CLI) and supports interactive sessions, non-interactive one-shots, checkpointing, MCP, and vision model switching.

## Prerequisites

- Node.js 20+ installed
- Blackbox CLI installed: `npm install -g @blackbox_ai/blackbox-cli` (binary: `blackbox`)
- API key from [app.blackbox.ai/dashboard](https://app.blackbox.ai/dashboard)
- Configured: run `blackbox configure` and enter your API key
- Use `pty=true` in terminal calls, Blackbox CLI is an interactive terminal app

## One-Shot Tasks

```
terminal(command="blackbox --prompt 'Add JWT authentication with refresh tokens to the Express API'", workdir="/path/to/project", pty=true)
```

For quick scratch work:
```
terminal(command="cd $(mktemp -d) && git init && blackbox --prompt 'Build a REST API for todos with SQLite'", pty=true)
```

## Background Mode (Long Tasks)

For tasks that take minutes, use background mode so you can monitor progress:

```
# Start in background with PTY
terminal(command="blackbox --prompt 'Refactor the auth module to use OAuth 2.0'", workdir="~/project", background=true, pty=true)
# Returns session_id

# Monitor progress
process(action="poll", session_id="<id>")
process(action="log", session_id="<id>")

# Send input if Blackbox asks a question
process(action="submit", session_id="<id>", data="yes")

# Kill if needed
process(action="kill", session_id="<id>")
```

## Checkpoints & Resume

Blackbox CLI has built-in checkpoint support for pausing and resuming tasks:

The rest: https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/blob/HEAD/optional-skills/autonomous-ai-agents/blackbox/SKILL.md