---
name: vellum-grok-bot-alt
description: >
  Hermes-native Vellum / Grok Bot alternative (August 2026 steal). Honest
  doctor for official Vellum.app vs $0 Hermes rail, identity pack, 8-type
  memory map, inventory-first import, eval-gated skill→routine promote.
  Trigger: vellum.ai, steal vellum, grok bot alternative, vellum hatch,
  Mighty Super Ultra. Slash: /vellum-bot.
---

# Vellum → Grok Bot alternative (Hermes rail)

Vellum Assistant (vellum.ai, MIT, Aug 2026) is a **direct competitor** to
Grok Bot: persistent memory, own identity, skills, 24/7 computer, Mac/iOS/web
surfaces. `docs.vellum.ai` is the older LLMOps product (evals/workflows).

This skill is the **$0 Hermes implementation**. It is not Vellum Cloud and
not ThumbGate.app.

```bash
bin/vellum-bot doctor
bin/vellum-bot compare
bin/vellum-bot hosting
bin/vellum-bot hosting --choose local
bin/vellum-bot identity-pack --write
bin/vellum-bot inventory
bin/vellum-bot promote --spec path/to/spec.json
node tests/test-vellum-grok-bot-alt.js
```

## Steal / do not

| Steal | Do here | Do not |
|-------|---------|--------|
| Own identity | `identity-pack` SOUL.md / NOW.md | Pretend we are Igor |
| 8 memory types | `memory-map` | Silent stale cache |
| Inventory-first import | `inventory` land=false | Upload to vellum.ai/import |
| CES credential isolation | Keychain; doctor redacts | Print guardian tokens |
| Skill → eval → routine | `promote` + outcome-routine-spec | Schedule untested |
| Hosting picker (Cloud vs Local) | `hosting --choose local` (default). 24/7 steal is `hermes-always-on` | Click official **Vellum Cloud** (Mighty $30+) without spend auth |
| Always-on | LaunchAgents / user VPS | Brand ThumbGate as Vellum Cloud |

## Official app on this Mac

`/Applications/Vellum.app` 0.11.3 may be hatched locally and still
`waitingForCredentials=true`. Doctor must not say official READY.

Pricing (live 2026-08-18): Mighty $30, Super $100 + $10 platform, Ultra $200 + $10.
Do not spend unless Igor asks.

## Related

`/outcome-owned-agent-pattern` · `/vellum` (hybrid hosting) · ECI ThumbGate IP wall