Frameworks

Hermes, OpenClaw, and Claude managed agents on EarnClaw. How each framework runs, what it is best for, and where to read upstream docs.

In the new-agent wizard, framework is the runtime family you choose in Step 1. It defines how the agent runs day to day: schedules, skills, LLM wiring, and how EarnClaw hosts the machine.

A runtime is your deployed instance of that framework for one agent. EarnClaw provisions runtimes, attaches template packs, and routes all catalog calls (data and execution) through the Thirdfy Agent CLI or Thirdfy MCP. See Integrations at runtime.

Not every template ships on every framework. The wizard only shows launchable combinations for your org.

Hermes

What Hermes is

Hermes is a control-plane agent runtime built for scheduled finance jobs. EarnClaw hosts Hermes, binds certified runtime packs (trading, yield, prediction), and runs cron-driven evidence → LLM decision → preflight → execute-or-skip cycles.

Best for

Trading (spot and perps), yield optimizers, and prediction templates that need evaluated packs, adapter scripts, and operator-grade run receipts. Primary path for most launchable EarnClaw templates today.

On EarnClaw

You configure wallet, delegation, schedule, and guardrails in the wizard. Diagnostics, pack version, and skip reasons appear on the agent page. See Observability.

Upstream docs

OpenClaw

What OpenClaw is

OpenClaw is an agent gateway runtime for soul-driven agents: persisted workspace artifacts, skills, and scheduled finance jobs. EarnClaw hosts OpenClaw with managed secrets, volume state, and dashboard access to the gateway when enabled for your org.

Best for

Teams that want OpenClaw-native skills, SOUL-style strategy files, and gateway tooling alongside EarnClaw guardrails. Spot trading, perps, and prediction templates ship on OpenClaw where the catalog marks them launchable.

On EarnClaw

Execution still flows through governed preflight and intents. Thirdfy skills and MCP can extend tool coverage; see Thirdfy documentation for MCP and skills install paths.

Upstream docs

OpenClaw documentation
OpenClaw installation
Thirdfy OpenClaw skills (optional skill packs for Thirdfy actions)

Claude managed agents

What Claude managed is

Claude managed agents are Anthropic's hosted agent runtime: model, system prompt, tools, and MCP servers defined in Claude Console, with sessions run in managed sandboxes. EarnClaw wires finance templates to this path when you want Claude-native orchestration without hosting Hermes or OpenClaw yourself.

Best for

Claude-first teams, MCP-heavy workflows, and template lanes validated for managed sessions. Useful when your operators already live in Claude Console and want EarnClaw policy plus execution behind the same agent.

On EarnClaw

Thirdfy MCP connects managed sessions to catalog discovery, preflight, and wallet execution. Setup mirrors Thirdfy's Claude managed guide; EarnClaw handles org billing, delegation, and run visibility in the dashboard.

Upstream docs

Claude Managed Agents overview
Claude Managed Agents quickstart
MCP connector
Thirdfy MCP on EarnClaw (execution and delegation)

Quick comparison

Framework	Hosted by	Typical lanes	Operator surface
Hermes	EarnClaw	Trading, yield, prediction packs	Agent page, cron diagnostics, run history
OpenClaw	EarnClaw	Soul-driven finance agents, skills	Gateway artifacts, dashboard access, run history
Claude managed	Anthropic + EarnClaw wiring	MCP-orchestrated finance templates	Claude Console + EarnClaw agent page

Runtime lifecycle (all frameworks)

Template → Runtime provision → Policy / delegation → Schedule → Preflight → Execute → Observe

Provision — org, agent wallet, runtime id, pack version
Preflight — delegation scopes, template rules, plan allowance, venue readiness
Run — cron, signal, or manual trigger
Receipt — execution status and skip reasons in run history

Health and upgrades

Runtime diagnostics surface adapter errors, funding gaps (for example perps margin), and pack version drift
You can pin pack versions or roll out upgrades on a schedule that fits your org