diff --git a/hermes-status/BarWidget.qml b/hermes-status/BarWidget.qml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..65de1e827
--- /dev/null
+++ b/hermes-status/BarWidget.qml
@@ -0,0 +1,145 @@
+import QtQuick
+import QtQuick.Layouts
+import Quickshell
+import qs.Commons
+import qs.Modules.Bar.Extras
+import qs.Services.UI
+import qs.Widgets
+
+Item {
+  id: root
+
+  property var pluginApi: null
+  property var hermesService: pluginApi?.mainInstance?.hermesService || null
+
+  property ShellScreen screen
+  property string widgetId: ""
+  property string section: ""
+  property int sectionWidgetIndex: -1
+  property int sectionWidgetsCount: 0
+
+  property var cfg: pluginApi?.pluginSettings || ({})
+  property var defaults: pluginApi?.manifest?.metadata?.defaultSettings || ({})
+
+  readonly property bool hideWhenIdle: cfg.hideWhenIdle ?? defaults.hideWhenIdle ?? false
+  readonly property string status: hermesService?.status ?? "loading"
+  readonly property var usage: hermesService?.usage ?? ({})
+
+  readonly property string screenName: screen ? screen.name : ""
+  readonly property string barPosition: Settings.getBarPositionForScreen(screenName)
+
+  // ── Traffic light: icon + color per status ──
+  readonly property string currentIcon: {
+    switch (status) {
+      case "offline":    return "power";
+      case "idle":       return "circle-check";
+      case "busy":       return "loader";
+      case "attention":  return "bell-ringing";
+      case "degraded":   return "alert-circle";
+      case "error":      return "alert-triangle";
+      default:           return "help-circle";
+    }
+  }
+
+  readonly property color iconColor: {
+    switch (status) {
+      case "offline":    return Color.mError;
+      case "idle":       return Color.mPrimary;
+      case "busy":       return Color.mPrimary;
+      case "attention":  return "#f59e0b";
+      case "degraded":   return "#f97316";
+      case "error":      return Color.mError;
+      default:           return Color.mOnSurface;
+    }
+  }
+
+  readonly property string displayText: {
+    if (status === "attention") return "!";
+    if (status === "degraded") return "!";
+    // Conversation ended / idle: keep the green status icon, but hide stale
+    // token usage from the previous turn/session.
+    if (status === "idle") return "";
+    return root.usageText;
+  }
+
+  function formatTokens(value) {
+    var n = Number(value || 0);
+    if (n >= 1000000) return (n / 1000000).toFixed(n >= 10000000 ? 0 : 1) + "M";
+    if (n >= 1000) return (n / 1000).toFixed(n >= 100000 ? 0 : 1) + "k";
+    return String(Math.round(n));
+  }
+
+  function formatCost(value) {
+    if (value === undefined || value === null) return "";
+    var n = Number(value);
+    if (!isFinite(n) || n <= 0) return "";
+    if (n < 0.0001) return "$" + n.toFixed(6);
+    if (n < 0.01) return "$" + n.toFixed(4);
+    return "$" + n.toFixed(2);
+  }
+
+  readonly property string usageText: {
+    if (!usage || !usage.available || !usage.total_tokens) return "";
+    var text = formatTokens(usage.total_tokens) + " tok";
+    var cost = formatCost(usage.actual_cost_usd ?? usage.estimated_cost_usd);
+    if (cost !== "") text += " · " + cost;
+    return text;
+  }
+
+  readonly property bool shouldHide: hideWhenIdle && status === "idle"
+
+  implicitWidth: shouldHide ? 0 : pill.width
+  implicitHeight: shouldHide ? 0 : pill.height
+  visible: !shouldHide
+
+  BarPill {
+    id: pill
+    screen: root.screen
+    oppositeDirection: BarService.getPillDirection(root)
+    icon: root.currentIcon
+    text: root.displayText
+    forceOpen: root.displayText !== ""
+    autoHide: true
+    customTextIconColor: root.iconColor
+
+    onClicked: {
+      if (pluginApi) {
+        if (hermesService && hermesService.needsAttention) {
+          hermesService.clearAttention();
+        }
+        pluginApi.openPanel(root.screen, root);
+      }
+    }
+
+    onRightClicked: {
+      PanelService.showContextMenu(contextMenu, root, screen);
+    }
+  }
+
+  NPopupContextMenu {
+    id: contextMenu
+
+    model: [
+      {
+        "label": pluginApi?.tr("menu.refresh"),
+        "action": "refresh",
+        "icon": "refresh"
+      },
+      {
+        "label": pluginApi?.tr("menu.clear-attention"),
+        "action": "clear-attention",
+        "icon": "bell-off"
+      }
+    ]
+
+    onTriggered: function(action) {
+      contextMenu.close();
+      PanelService.closeContextMenu(screen);
+      if (action === "refresh") {
+        hermesService?.refresh();
+      } else if (action === "clear-attention") {
+        hermesService?.clearAttention();
+      }
+    }
+  }
+}
diff --git a/hermes-status/Main.qml b/hermes-status/Main.qml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..9c98bbce9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/hermes-status/Main.qml
@@ -0,0 +1,254 @@
+import QtQuick
+import Quickshell
+import Quickshell.Io
+import qs.Commons
+
+Item {
+  id: root
+
+  property var pluginApi: null
+
+  // Expose service to bar widget
+  property alias hermesService: hermesService
+  // Expose process model for Panel/BarWidget
+  property alias processModel: processListModel
+
+  // Path to the status check script (~ expanded to home directory)
+  readonly property string scriptPath: {
+    var cfg = pluginApi?.pluginSettings || {};
+    var defaults = pluginApi?.manifest?.metadata?.defaultSettings || {};
+    var raw = cfg.statusScript ?? defaults.statusScript ?? "~/.cache/noctalia/plugins/hermes-status/hermes-status-check";
+    return expandHome(raw);
+  }
+
+  // Shared ListModel for process list (lives at Item level, not inside QtObject)
+  ListModel {
+    id: processListModel
+  }
+
+  QtObject {
+    id: hermesService
+
+    property string status: "idle"
+    property string gatewayPid: ""
+    property string cliPid: ""
+    property bool cliActive: false
+    property int activeCliCount: 0
+    property bool needsAttention: false
+    property var platforms: ({})
+    property string fetchState: "idle"
+    property string errorMessage: ""
+    property string signalEvent: ""
+    property string signalTs: ""
+    property var usage: ({})
+    property var processes: ([])
+    property ListModel processModel: processListModel
+    // Pending refresh: set when a refresh is requested while one is in-flight,
+    // so the UI does not miss status transitions during rapid hook updates.
+    property bool pendingRefresh: false
+
+    property bool hasError: {
+      for (var key in platforms) {
+        if (platforms[key] && platforms[key].state !== "connected") return true;
+      }
+      return false;
+    }
+
+    function refresh(force) {
+      // If a fetch is already in-flight, mark pending so onExited will re-trigger.
+      // force=true bypasses the stuck guard (used by IPC manual refresh).
+      if (fetchState === "loading" || statusProcess.running) {
+        if (force) {
+          // Force-reset stuck state: kill the old process and start fresh.
+          statusProcess.running = false;
+          fetchState = "idle";
+          pendingRefresh = false;
+        } else {
+          pendingRefresh = true;
+          return;
+        }
+      }
+      fetchState = "loading";
+      // sh -c allows shell features in custom statusScript settings (env vars, wrappers, args)
+      statusProcess.command = ["sh", "-c", root.scriptPath];
+      statusProcess.running = true;
+      fetchWatchdog.restart();
+    }
+
+    function clearAttention() {
+      // Clear the flag only after the rm process succeeds.
+      clearAttentionProcess.command = ["rm", "-f", Quickshell.env("HOME") + "/.hermes/needs_attention"];
+      clearAttentionProcess.running = true;
+    }
+  }
+
+  function expandHome(path) {
+    if (!path) return path;
+    if (path === "~") return Quickshell.env("HOME") || path;
+    if (path.indexOf("~/") === 0) return (Quickshell.env("HOME") || "") + path.slice(1);
+    return path;
+  }
+
+  readonly property string signalFilePath: {
+    var cfg = pluginApi?.pluginSettings || {};
+    var defaults = pluginApi?.manifest?.metadata?.defaultSettings || {};
+    return expandHome(cfg.signalFile ?? defaults.signalFile ?? "~/.hermes/status_signal");
+  }
+
+  // Watch the hook signal file for near-instant UI refresh.  The timer below is
+  // still kept as a low-frequency safety net for process/gateway changes that do
+  // not rewrite status_signal.
+  FileView {
+    id: signalFileView
+    path: root.signalFilePath
+    printErrors: false
+    watchChanges: true
+
+    onFileChanged: {
+      reload();
+      refreshDebounce.restart();
+    }
+
+    onLoaded: refreshDebounce.restart()
+    onLoadFailed: refreshDebounce.restart()
+  }
+
+  Timer {
+    id: refreshDebounce
+    interval: 100
+    repeat: false
+    onTriggered: hermesService.refresh()
+  }
+
+  // Status check process
+  Process {
+    id: statusProcess
+    stdout: StdioCollector {}
+
+    onExited: function(exitCode) {
+      fetchWatchdog.stop();
+      if (exitCode !== 0) {
+        hermesService.fetchState = "error";
+        hermesService.status = "error";
+        hermesService.errorMessage = "Script failed (exit " + exitCode + ")";
+        if (hermesService.pendingRefresh) {
+          hermesService.pendingRefresh = false;
+          hermesService.refresh();
+        }
+        return;
+      }
+
+      var response = stdout.text;
+      if (!response || response.trim() === "") {
+        hermesService.fetchState = "error";
+        hermesService.status = "error";
+        hermesService.errorMessage = "Empty response";
+        if (hermesService.pendingRefresh) {
+          hermesService.pendingRefresh = false;
+          hermesService.refresh();
+        }
+        return;
+      }
+
+      try {
+        var data = JSON.parse(response);
+        hermesService.status = data.status || "unknown";
+        hermesService.gatewayPid = data.gateway_pid || "";
+        hermesService.cliPid = data.cli_pid || "";
+        hermesService.cliActive = data.cli_active || false;
+        hermesService.activeCliCount = data.active_cli_count || 0;
+        hermesService.needsAttention = data.needs_attention || false;
+        hermesService.platforms = data.platforms || {};
+        hermesService.signalEvent = data.signal_event || "";
+        hermesService.signalTs = data.signal_ts || "";
+        hermesService.usage = data.usage || {};
+        hermesService.processes = data.processes || [];
+        hermesService.fetchState = "success";
+        hermesService.errorMessage = "";
+
+        // Update ListModel for QML Repeaters
+        processListModel.clear();
+        var procs = data.processes || [];
+        for (var i = 0; i < procs.length; i++) {
+          var p = procs[i];
+          processListModel.append({
+            "pid": p.pid || "",
+            "source": p.source || "unknown",
+            "sessionId": p.session_id || "",
+            "state": p.state || "idle",
+            "event": p.event || "",
+            "ts": p.ts || "",
+            "signalAge": p.signal_age !== undefined ? p.signal_age : -1,
+            "platform": p.platform || "",
+            "alive": p.alive !== false
+          });
+        }
+      } catch (e) {
+        hermesService.fetchState = "error";
+        hermesService.status = "error";
+        hermesService.errorMessage = "JSON parse error: " + e;
+      }
+
+      // If another refresh was requested while we were loading, re-trigger now.
+      if (hermesService.pendingRefresh) {
+        hermesService.pendingRefresh = false;
+        hermesService.refresh();
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  // Clear attention process
+  Process {
+    id: clearAttentionProcess
+    stdout: StdioCollector {}
+    onExited: function(exitCode) {
+      if (exitCode === 0) {
+        hermesService.needsAttention = false;
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  // Watchdog: if fetchState stays "loading" for >15s, force-reset.
+  // Handles cases where onExited doesn't fire (process crash, QML bug).
+  Timer {
+    id: fetchWatchdog
+    interval: 15000
+    repeat: false
+    onTriggered: {
+      if (hermesService.fetchState === "loading") {
+        statusProcess.running = false;
+        hermesService.fetchState = "idle";
+        hermesService.pendingRefresh = false;
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  // Poll timer
+  Timer {
+    id: pollTimer
+    repeat: true
+    running: true
+    triggeredOnStart: true
+    interval: {
+      var cfg = pluginApi?.pluginSettings || {};
+      var defaults = pluginApi?.manifest?.metadata?.defaultSettings || {};
+      var secs = cfg.pollInterval ?? defaults.pollInterval ?? 10;
+      return secs * 1000;
+    }
+    onTriggered: hermesService.refresh()
+  }
+
+  IpcHandler {
+    target: "plugin:hermes-status"
+    function refresh() {
+      hermesService.refresh(true);  // force: bypass stuck guard
+    }
+    function toggle() {
+      if (pluginApi) {
+        pluginApi.withCurrentScreen(function(screen) {
+          pluginApi.togglePanel(screen);
+        });
+      }
+    }
+  }
+}
diff --git a/hermes-status/Panel.qml b/hermes-status/Panel.qml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..e96c522a7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/hermes-status/Panel.qml
@@ -0,0 +1,360 @@
+import QtQuick
+import QtQuick.Layouts
+import Quickshell
+import qs.Commons
+import qs.Widgets
+
+Item {
+  id: root
+
+  property var pluginApi: null
+  property var hermesService: pluginApi?.mainInstance?.hermesService || null
+
+  property ShellScreen screen
+  readonly property var geometryPlaceholder: panelContainer
+  property real contentPreferredWidth: 280 * Style.uiScaleRatio
+  property real contentPreferredHeight: 200 * Style.uiScaleRatio
+  readonly property bool allowAttach: true
+
+  readonly property string status: hermesService?.status ?? "unknown"
+  readonly property bool cliActive: hermesService?.cliActive ?? false
+  readonly property int activeCliCount: hermesService?.activeCliCount ?? 0
+  readonly property string gatewayPid: hermesService?.gatewayPid ?? ""
+  readonly property string signalEvent: hermesService?.signalEvent ?? ""
+  readonly property var platforms: hermesService?.platforms ?? ({})
+  readonly property var usage: hermesService?.usage ?? ({})
+  readonly property var processModel: hermesService?.processModel ?? null
+
+  readonly property string statusText: {
+    switch (status) {
+      case "offline":    return pluginApi?.tr("status.offline");
+      case "idle":       return pluginApi?.tr("status.idle");
+      case "busy":       return pluginApi?.tr("status.busy");
+      case "attention":  return pluginApi?.tr("status.attention");
+      case "degraded":   return pluginApi?.tr("status.degraded");
+      case "error":      return pluginApi?.tr("status.error");
+      default:           return pluginApi?.tr("status.unknown");
+    }
+  }
+
+  readonly property string statusIcon: {
+    switch (status) {
+      case "offline":    return "power";
+      case "idle":       return "circle-check";
+      case "busy":       return "loader";
+      case "attention":  return "bell-ringing";
+      case "degraded":   return "alert-circle";
+      case "error":      return "alert-triangle";
+      default:           return "help-circle";
+    }
+  }
+
+  readonly property color statusColor: {
+    switch (status) {
+      case "offline":    return Color.mError;
+      case "idle":       return Color.mPrimary;
+      case "busy":       return Color.mPrimary;
+      case "attention":  return "#f59e0b";
+      case "degraded":   return "#f97316";
+      case "error":      return Color.mError;
+      default:           return Color.mOnSurface;
+    }
+  }
+
+  readonly property string eventText: {
+    var map = {
+      "pre_llm_call": pluginApi?.tr("event.thinking"),
+      "post_llm_call": pluginApi?.tr("event.processing"),
+      "pre_tool_call": pluginApi?.tr("event.tool_call"),
+      "post_tool_call": pluginApi?.tr("event.tool_done"),
+      "pre_approval_request": pluginApi?.tr("event.awaiting_approval"),
+      "on_session_start": pluginApi?.tr("event.started"),
+      "on_session_end": pluginApi?.tr("event.ended"),
+      "on_session_finalize": pluginApi?.tr("event.finalizing"),
+      "on_session_reset": pluginApi?.tr("event.reset")
+    };
+    return map[signalEvent] || "";
+  }
+
+  function formatTokens(value) {
+    var n = Number(value || 0);
+    if (n >= 1000000) return (n / 1000000).toFixed(n >= 10000000 ? 0 : 1) + "M";
+    if (n >= 1000) return (n / 1000).toFixed(n >= 100000 ? 0 : 1) + "k";
+    return String(Math.round(n));
+  }
+
+  function formatCost(value) {
+    if (value === undefined || value === null) return "";
+    var n = Number(value);
+    if (!isFinite(n) || n <= 0) return "";
+    if (n < 0.0001) return "$" + n.toFixed(6);
+    if (n < 0.01) return "$" + n.toFixed(4);
+    return "$" + n.toFixed(2);
+  }
+
+  readonly property string tokensText: {
+    if (!usage || !usage.available) return pluginApi?.tr("panel.none");
+    return formatTokens(usage.total_tokens)
+      + "  in " + formatTokens(usage.input_tokens)
+      + " / out " + formatTokens(usage.output_tokens)
+      + " / cache " + formatTokens(usage.cache_tokens);
+  }
+
+  readonly property string costText: {
+    if (!usage || !usage.available) return pluginApi?.tr("panel.unknown");
+    var actual = formatCost(usage.actual_cost_usd);
+    if (actual !== "") return actual + " " + pluginApi?.tr("panel.actual");
+    var estimated = formatCost(usage.estimated_cost_usd);
+    if (estimated !== "") return estimated + " " + pluginApi?.tr("panel.estimated");
+    return pluginApi?.tr("panel.unknown");
+  }
+
+  readonly property bool costIsUnknown: !usage || !usage.available || (!formatCost(usage.actual_cost_usd) && !formatCost(usage.estimated_cost_usd))
+
+  // Process state → icon helper
+  function processStateIcon(state) {
+    switch (state) {
+      case "busy":       return "loader";
+      case "attention":  return "bell-ringing";
+      case "idle":       return "circle-check";
+      case "error":      return "alert-triangle";
+      default:           return "help-circle";
+    }
+  }
+
+  // Process state → color helper
+  function processStateColor(state) {
+    switch (state) {
+      case "busy":       return Color.mPrimary;
+      case "attention":  return "#f59e0b";
+      case "idle":       return Color.mPrimary;
+      case "error":      return Color.mError;
+      default:           return Color.mOnSurface;
+    }
+  }
+
+  // Source label (i18n)
+  function sourceLabel(source) {
+    switch (source) {
+      case "gateway":    return pluginApi?.tr("panel.gw");
+      case "cli":        return pluginApi?.tr("panel.cli");
+      case "cron":       return pluginApi?.tr("panel.cron");
+      default:           return "?";
+    }
+  }
+
+  // Format short session id (first 8 chars)
+  function shortSessionId(sid) {
+    if (!sid) return "";
+    if (sid.length <= 8) return sid;
+    return sid.substring(0, 8) + "\u2026";
+  }
+
+  Rectangle {
+    id: panelContainer
+    anchors.fill: parent
+    color: "transparent"
+
+    NBox {
+      anchors.fill: parent
+      anchors.margins: Style.marginS
+
+      ColumnLayout {
+        anchors.fill: parent
+        anchors.margins: Style.marginM
+        spacing: Style.marginXS
+
+        // Row 1: icon + name + status
+        RowLayout {
+          spacing: Style.marginS
+
+          NIcon {
+            icon: root.statusIcon
+            color: root.statusColor
+            pointSize: Style.fontSizeM
+          }
+
+          NText {
+            text: pluginApi?.tr("panel.hermes")
+            font.weight: Font.Bold
+            pointSize: Style.fontSizeS
+            color: Color.mOnSurface
+          }
+
+          NText {
+            text: root.statusText
+            pointSize: Style.fontSizeS
+            color: root.statusColor
+          }
+
+          Item { Layout.fillWidth: true }
+
+          NText {
+            text: root.eventText
+            pointSize: Style.fontSizeS
+            color: Color.mOnSurface
+            opacity: 0.5
+            visible: text !== ""
+          }
+        }
+
+        // Separator
+        Rectangle {
+          Layout.fillWidth: true
+          Layout.preferredHeight: 1
+          color: Color.mOutline
+          opacity: 0.2
+        }
+
+        // Gateway row (always shown)
+        RowLayout {
+          spacing: Style.marginS
+
+          NText {
+            text: pluginApi?.tr("panel.gateway")
+            pointSize: Style.fontSizeS
+            color: Color.mOnSurface
+            opacity: 0.5
+            Layout.preferredWidth: 60
+          }
+
+          NText {
+            text: gatewayPid ? "PID " + gatewayPid : pluginApi?.tr("panel.stopped")
+            pointSize: Style.fontSizeS
+            color: gatewayPid ? Color.mOnSurface : Color.mError
+          }
+        }
+
+        // Process list (non-gateway processes)
+        Repeater {
+          model: {
+            if (!root.processModel) return [];
+            var items = [];
+            for (var i = 0; i < root.processModel.count; i++) {
+              var p = root.processModel.get(i);
+              if (p.source !== "gateway") {
+                items.push(p);
+              }
+            }
+            return items;
+          }
+
+          delegate: RowLayout {
+            spacing: Style.marginS
+
+            NIcon {
+              icon: processStateIcon(modelData.state)
+              color: processStateColor(modelData.state)
+              pointSize: Style.fontSizeXS
+            }
+
+            NText {
+              text: sourceLabel(modelData.source)
+              pointSize: Style.fontSizeS
+              color: Color.mOnSurface
+              opacity: 0.5
+              Layout.preferredWidth: 24
+            }
+
+            NText {
+              text: shortSessionId(modelData.sessionId) || ("PID " + modelData.pid)
+              pointSize: Style.fontSizeS
+              color: Color.mOnSurface
+              Layout.fillWidth: true
+              elide: Text.ElideRight
+            }
+
+            NText {
+              text: modelData.alive ? "" : pluginApi?.tr("panel.dead")
+              pointSize: Style.fontSizeS
+              color: Color.mError
+              opacity: 0.6
+            }
+          }
+        }
+
+        // Separator before platforms
+        Rectangle {
+          Layout.fillWidth: true
+          Layout.preferredHeight: 1
+          color: Color.mOutline
+          opacity: 0.2
+        }
+
+        // Platforms
+        Repeater {
+          model: {
+            var items = [];
+            for (var key in root.platforms) {
+              items.push({
+                "name": key.charAt(0).toUpperCase() + key.slice(1),
+                "ok": root.platforms[key]?.state === "connected"
+              });
+            }
+            return items;
+          }
+
+          delegate: RowLayout {
+            spacing: Style.marginS
+
+            NText {
+              text: modelData.name
+              pointSize: Style.fontSizeS
+              color: Color.mOnSurface
+              opacity: 0.5
+              Layout.preferredWidth: 60
+            }
+
+            NText {
+              text: modelData.ok ? pluginApi?.tr("panel.online") : pluginApi?.tr("panel.offline")
+              pointSize: Style.fontSizeS
+              color: modelData.ok ? Color.mPrimary : Color.mError
+            }
+          }
+        }
+
+        // Token usage (always visible below platforms)
+        RowLayout {
+          spacing: Style.marginS
+
+          NText {
+            text: pluginApi?.tr("panel.tokens")
+            pointSize: Style.fontSizeS
+            color: Color.mOnSurface
+            opacity: 0.5
+            Layout.preferredWidth: 60
+          }
+
+          NText {
+            text: root.tokensText
+            pointSize: Style.fontSizeS
+            color: Color.mPrimary
+            opacity: 0.8
+            Layout.fillWidth: true
+            elide: Text.ElideRight
+          }
+        }
+
+        // Cost
+        RowLayout {
+          spacing: Style.marginS
+
+          NText {
+            text: pluginApi?.tr("panel.cost")
+            pointSize: Style.fontSizeS
+            color: Color.mOnSurface
+            opacity: 0.5
+            Layout.preferredWidth: 60
+          }
+
+          NText {
+            text: root.costText
+            pointSize: Style.fontSizeS
+            color: root.costIsUnknown ? Color.mOnSurface : Color.mPrimary
+            opacity: root.costIsUnknown ? 0.45 : 1.0
+          }
+        }
+      }
+    }
+  }
+}
diff --git a/hermes-status/README.md b/hermes-status/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..3900d73dd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/hermes-status/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,231 @@
+# noctalia-hermes
+
+A [noctalia-shell](https://github.com/noctalia-dev/noctalia-shell) plugin that displays real-time [Hermes Agent](https://github.com/nousresearch/hermes-agent) status in the status bar.
+
+Hermes shell hooks record lifecycle events, which the noctalia plugin listens to via a signal file for near-instant UI refresh. A low-frequency polling fallback is also included.
+Hook writes typically complete in under 1 second; the status bar UI refreshes shortly after the signal file changes, with a default 30-second fallback check for Gateway/platform status.
+
+## Preview
+![](preview.png)
+
+The status bar shows a traffic-light icon that changes in real time with Hermes status:
+
+| Icon | Color | Status | Trigger |
+|------|-------|--------|---------|
+| ✓ | Green | Online | Gateway running, idle |
+| ⟳ | Blue | Busy | Thinking, tool call, processing |
+| 🔔 | Amber | Needs You | Awaiting user approval |
+| ⚠ | Orange | Degraded | Platform connection issue (e.g. Telegram disconnected) |
+| ⏻ | Red | Offline | Gateway not running |
+
+Click the icon to open a detail panel showing Gateway PID, session state, and platform connections.
+
+## Architecture
+
+```
+hermes hooks (lifecycle events)
+    │
+    ▼
+hermes-status-hook    ← writes signal file ~/.hermes/status_signal
+    │
+    ▼
+hermes-status-check   ← combined detection script, outputs JSON
+    │
+    ▼
+noctalia plugin (QML) ← watches status_signal changes, 30s fallback polling
+```
+
+### Status Detection Priority
+
+1. **Hook signals** — real-time hermes lifecycle events (highest priority)
+2. **Process detection** — checks for CLI session and Gateway processes
+3. **Platform status** — reads gateway_state.json to detect connection issues
+4. **Manual Attention flag** — reminder file set by `hermes-attention`
+
+The busy signal persists while the CLI process is active, regardless of time. If the CLI exits abnormally (without triggering `on_session_end`), the busy signal auto-expires after 60 seconds and falls back to process detection to prevent stale state. The attention signal persists until Hermes emits `post_approval_response`; manual attention persists until `hermes-attention clear`.
+
+## Installation
+
+### Method A: One-click install
+
+```bash
+git clone https://github.com/Mel-SRK/noctalia-hermes ~/.local/share/noctalia-hermes
+cd ~/.local/share/noctalia-hermes
+./install.sh
+```
+
+`install.sh` will:
+
+- Link the plugin to `~/.config/noctalia/plugins/hermes-status`
+- Install `hermes-status-check` to `~/.cache/noctalia/plugins/hermes-status/hermes-status-check`
+- Install `hermes-status-hook` and `hermes-attention` to `~/.local/bin`
+
+You still need to configure hermes hooks as described below.
+
+### Method B: Manual installation
+
+#### 1. Clone the repository
+
+Place the project anywhere you like; the example below uses `~/.local/share/noctalia-hermes`:
+
+```bash
+git clone https://github.com/Mel-SRK/noctalia-hermes ~/.local/share/noctalia-hermes
+cd ~/.local/share/noctalia-hermes
+```
+
+If you're using a fork, replace the repository URL above with your fork URL.
+
+#### 2. Install the plugin to noctalia
+
+```bash
+mkdir -p ~/.config/noctalia/plugins
+ln -sfn ~/.local/share/noctalia-hermes/hermes-status ~/.config/noctalia/plugins/hermes-status
+```
+
+#### 3. Install helper scripts
+
+```bash
+mkdir -p ~/.cache/noctalia/plugins/hermes-status ~/.local/bin
+
+# Status detection script (called by noctalia plugin)
+install -m 755 ~/.local/share/noctalia-hermes/hermes-status-check ~/.cache/noctalia/plugins/hermes-status/hermes-status-check
+
+# Hook scripts (called by hermes)
+install -m 755 ~/.local/share/noctalia-hermes/hermes-status-hook ~/.local/bin/hermes-status-hook
+
+# Optional: manual attention flag tool
+install -m 755 ~/.local/share/noctalia-hermes/hermes-attention ~/.local/bin/hermes-attention
+```
+
+Make sure `~/.local/bin` is in your `PATH`:
+
+```bash
+case ":$PATH:" in
+  *":$HOME/.local/bin:"*) ;;
+  *) echo 'export PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.profile ;;
+esac
+```
+
+### Configure hermes hooks
+
+Add the following to the `hooks:` section in `~/.hermes/config.yaml`:
+
+```yaml
+hooks:
+  pre_llm_call:
+    - command: "~/.local/bin/hermes-status-hook pre_llm_call"
+  post_llm_call:
+    - command: "~/.local/bin/hermes-status-hook post_llm_call"
+  pre_tool_call:
+    - command: "~/.local/bin/hermes-status-hook pre_tool_call"
+  post_tool_call:
+    - command: "~/.local/bin/hermes-status-hook post_tool_call"
+  pre_approval_request:
+    - command: "~/.local/bin/hermes-status-hook pre_approval_request"
+  post_approval_response:
+    - command: "~/.local/bin/hermes-status-hook post_approval_response"
+  on_session_start:
+    - command: "~/.local/bin/hermes-status-hook on_session_start"
+  on_session_end:
+    - command: "~/.local/bin/hermes-status-hook on_session_end"
+  on_session_finalize:
+    - command: "~/.local/bin/hermes-status-hook on_session_finalize"
+  on_session_reset:
+    - command: "~/.local/bin/hermes-status-hook on_session_reset"
+```
+
+### Restart services
+
+```bash
+# Restart noctalia-shell to load the plugin
+pkill -x qs
+qs -c noctalia-shell -d
+
+# Restart hermes gateway to load hooks
+hermes gateway restart
+```
+
+New `hermes chat` sessions started after this will automatically load the hooks.
+
+## File Structure
+
+```
+noctalia-hermes/
+├── README.md
+├── hermes-status/              ← noctalia plugin (place in plugins/ directory)
+│   ├── manifest.json           ← plugin metadata and default settings
+│   ├── Main.qml                ← background logic (signal file watcher + fallback polling)
+│   ├── BarWidget.qml           ← status bar icon (traffic light)
+│   ├── Panel.qml               ← click-to-expand detail panel
+│   └── Settings.qml            ← plugin settings UI
+├── hermes-status-check         ← status detection script (single Python process)
+├── hermes-status-hook          ← hook script (hermes event recorder)
+└── hermes-attention            ← manual attention flag tool
+```
+
+### hermes-status-check
+
+Called by the noctalia plugin when the signal file changes and as a 30-second fallback, outputs JSON status:
+
+```json
+{
+  "status": "idle",
+  "gateway_running": true,
+  "gateway_pid": "203245",
+  "cli_active": true,
+  "cli_pid": "9329",
+  "needs_attention": false,
+  "signal_event": "post_tool_call",
+  "signal_ts": "2026-05-29T14:00:00+08:00",
+  "signal_age": 3,
+  "platforms": {"telegram": {"state": "connected"}}
+}
+```
+
+### hermes-status-hook
+
+Called by the hermes hooks system, writes signal file based on event type:
+
+| Hook Event | Signal State | Meaning |
+|-----------|----------|------|
+| `pre_llm_call` | busy | LLM call started |
+| `post_llm_call` | busy | LLM returned result |
+| `pre_tool_call` | busy | About to execute tool |
+| `post_tool_call` | busy | Tool execution complete |
+| `on_session_start` | busy | Session started |
+| `pre_approval_request` | attention | Awaiting user approval |
+| `post_approval_response` | idle | User has responded |
+| `on_session_end` | idle | Session ended |
+| `on_session_finalize` | idle | Session cleanup complete |
+| `on_session_reset` | idle | Session reset |
+
+### hermes-attention
+
+Manual attention flag management tool:
+
+```bash
+hermes-attention set     # Set amber bell
+hermes-attention clear   # Clear
+hermes-attention status  # Check status
+```
+
+## Configuration
+
+In noctalia Settings → Plugins → Hermes Agent, you can adjust:
+
+| Option | Default | Description |
+|--------|---------|-------------|
+| Status check script | `~/.cache/noctalia/plugins/hermes-status/hermes-status-check` | Detection script path |
+| Poll interval | 30s | Fallback polling interval; hook status changes refresh immediately via file watching |
+| Signal file | `~/.hermes/status_signal` | Hermes hook status signal file |
+| Hide when idle | false | Hide icon when running normally |
+
+## Dependencies
+
+- [noctalia-shell](https://github.com/noctalia-dev/noctalia-shell) — Wayland desktop shell
+- [Hermes Agent](https://github.com/nousresearch/hermes-agent) — AI assistant
+- python3
+
+## License
+
+MIT
diff --git a/hermes-status/Settings.qml b/hermes-status/Settings.qml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..5d5691cc2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/hermes-status/Settings.qml
@@ -0,0 +1,93 @@
+import QtQuick
+import QtQuick.Layouts
+import QtQuick.Controls
+import qs.Commons
+import qs.Widgets
+
+ColumnLayout {
+  id: root
+
+  property var pluginApi: null
+  property var cfg: pluginApi?.pluginSettings || ({})
+
+  spacing: Style.marginM
+
+  // statusScript
+  ColumnLayout {
+    Layout.fillWidth: true
+    spacing: Style.marginXS
+
+    NText {
+      text: pluginApi?.tr("settings.statusScript")
+      font.pixelSize: Style.fontSizeS
+      font.weight: Font.DemiBold
+      color: Color.mOnSurface
+    }
+
+    NTextInput {
+      Layout.fillWidth: true
+      text: cfg.statusScript ?? pluginApi?.manifest?.metadata?.defaultSettings?.statusScript ?? ""
+      placeholderText: "~/.cache/noctalia/plugins/hermes-status/hermes-status-check"
+      onEditingFinished: {
+        pluginApi.setPluginSetting("statusScript", text);
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  // pollInterval
+  ColumnLayout {
+    Layout.fillWidth: true
+    spacing: Style.marginXS
+
+    NText {
+      text: pluginApi?.tr("settings.pollInterval")
+      font.pixelSize: Style.fontSizeS
+      font.weight: Font.DemiBold
+      color: Color.mOnSurface
+    }
+
+    NSpinBox {
+      Layout.fillWidth: true
+      from: 5
+      to: 300
+      value: cfg.pollInterval ?? pluginApi?.manifest?.metadata?.defaultSettings?.pollInterval ?? 30
+      onValueModified: {
+        pluginApi.setPluginSetting("pollInterval", value);
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  // signalFile
+  ColumnLayout {
+    Layout.fillWidth: true
+    spacing: Style.marginXS
+
+    NText {
+      text: pluginApi?.tr("settings.signalFile")
+      font.pixelSize: Style.fontSizeS
+      font.weight: Font.DemiBold
+      color: Color.mOnSurface
+    }
+
+    NTextInput {
+      Layout.fillWidth: true
+      text: cfg.signalFile ?? pluginApi?.manifest?.metadata?.defaultSettings?.signalFile ?? ""
+      placeholderText: "~/.hermes/status_signal"
+      onEditingFinished: {
+        pluginApi.setPluginSetting("signalFile", text);
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  // hideWhenIdle
+  NToggle {
+    Layout.fillWidth: true
+    label: pluginApi?.tr("settings.hideWhenIdle")
+    description: pluginApi?.tr("settings.hideWhenIdleDesc")
+    checked: cfg.hideWhenIdle ?? pluginApi?.manifest?.metadata?.defaultSettings?.hideWhenIdle ?? false
+    onToggled: checked => {
+      pluginApi.setPluginSetting("hideWhenIdle", checked);
+    }
+    defaultValue: pluginApi?.manifest?.metadata?.defaultSettings?.hideWhenIdle ?? false
+  }
+}
diff --git a/hermes-status/i18n/en.json b/hermes-status/i18n/en.json
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..79907a472
--- /dev/null
+++ b/hermes-status/i18n/en.json
@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+{
+  "menu": {
+    "refresh": "Refresh",
+    "clear-attention": "Clear Attention"
+  },
+  "status": {
+    "offline": "Offline",
+    "idle": "Online",
+    "busy": "Working",
+    "attention": "Needs You",
+    "degraded": "Degraded",
+    "error": "Error",
+    "unknown": "Unknown"
+  },
+  "event": {
+    "thinking": "Thinking",
+    "processing": "Processing",
+    "tool_call": "Tool call",
+    "tool_done": "Tool done",
+    "awaiting_approval": "Awaiting approval",
+    "started": "Started",
+    "ended": "Ended",
+    "finalizing": "Finalizing",
+    "reset": "Reset"
+  },
+  "panel": {
+    "hermes": "Hermes",
+    "gateway": "Gateway",
+    "session": "Session",
+    "tokens": "Tokens",
+    "cost": "Cost",
+    "stopped": "Stopped",
+    "active": "Active",
+    "none": "None",
+    "online": "Online",
+    "offline": "Offline",
+    "unknown": "unknown",
+    "actual": "actual",
+    "estimated": "estimated",
+    "gw": "GW",
+    "cli": "CLI",
+    "cron": "Cron",
+    "dead": "dead"
+  },
+  "settings": {
+    "statusScript": "Status check script",
+    "pollInterval": "Poll interval (seconds)",
+    "signalFile": "Signal file",
+    "hideWhenIdle": "Hide when idle",
+    "hideWhenIdleDesc": "Only show when gateway is offline, busy, or needs attention"
+  }
+}
diff --git a/hermes-status/i18n/zh-CN.json b/hermes-status/i18n/zh-CN.json
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..63931eec2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/hermes-status/i18n/zh-CN.json
@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+{
+  "menu": {
+    "refresh": "刷新",
+    "clear-attention": "清除提醒"
+  },
+  "status": {
+    "offline": "离线",
+    "idle": "在线",
+    "busy": "工作中",
+    "attention": "需要你",
+    "degraded": "降级",
+    "error": "错误",
+    "unknown": "未知"
+  },
+  "event": {
+    "thinking": "思考中",
+    "processing": "处理中",
+    "tool_call": "调用工具",
+    "tool_done": "工具完成",
+    "awaiting_approval": "等待审批",
+    "started": "已开始",
+    "ended": "已结束",
+    "finalizing": "清理中",
+    "reset": "重置"
+  },
+  "panel": {
+    "hermes": "Hermes",
+    "gateway": "网关",
+    "session": "会话",
+    "tokens": "Token",
+    "cost": "费用",
+    "stopped": "已停止",
+    "active": "活跃",
+    "none": "无",
+    "online": "在线",
+    "offline": "离线",
+    "unknown": "未知",
+    "actual": "实际",
+    "estimated": "预估",
+    "gw": "GW",
+    "cli": "CLI",
+    "cron": "Cron",
+    "dead": "已断开"
+  },
+  "settings": {
+    "statusScript": "状态检查脚本",
+    "pollInterval": "轮询间隔（秒）",
+    "signalFile": "信号文件",
+    "hideWhenIdle": "空闲时隐藏",
+    "hideWhenIdleDesc": "仅在网关离线、工作中或需要关注时显示"
+  }
+}
diff --git a/hermes-status/manifest.json b/hermes-status/manifest.json
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..fbc245017
--- /dev/null
+++ b/hermes-status/manifest.json
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+{
+  "id": "hermes-status",
+  "name": "Hermes Agent Status",
+  "version": "2.0.0",
+  "minNoctaliaVersion": "4.1.2",
+  "author": "srk",
+  "license": "MIT",
+  "repository": "https://github.com/noctalia-dev/noctalia-plugins",
+  "description": "Traffic-light status indicator for Hermes Agent (CLI + Gateway). Supports multiple concurrent Hermes processes with per-session tracking. Shows online/busy/attention/degraded/offline states in the status bar with real-time hook-based updates.",
+  "tags": ["Bar", "Panel", "AI", "Indicator"],
+  "entryPoints": {
+    "main": "Main.qml",
+    "barWidget": "BarWidget.qml",
+    "panel": "Panel.qml",
+    "settings": "Settings.qml"
+  },
+  "dependencies": {
+    "plugins": []
+  },
+  "metadata": {
+    "defaultSettings": {
+      "statusScript": "~/.cache/noctalia/plugins/hermes-status/hermes-status-check",
+      "pollInterval": 30,
+      "signalFile": "~/.hermes/status_signal",
+      "hideWhenIdle": false
+    }
+  }
+}
diff --git a/hermes-status/preview.png b/hermes-status/preview.png
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f6c9da743
Binary files /dev/null and b/hermes-status/preview.png differ