feat: add issue and PR templates

Add structured GitHub templates based on analysis of 200+ closed PRs
and 50+ closed issues to improve submission quality:

Issue templates (YAML form-based):
- Bug Report: requires reproduction steps, expected/actual behavior,
  OS/Python/Hermes version. Optional root cause analysis field.
- Feature Request: requires problem/use case, links to skill-vs-tool
  guidance in CONTRIBUTING.md to reduce misguided tool PRs.
- Setup/Installation Help: requires install method, hermes doctor
  output, error logs, steps already tried.
- Template chooser config with links to Discord, docs, contributing guide.

PR template:
- Type of change selector (bug/feature/security/docs/tests/refactor/skill)
- Mandatory issue reference, changes list, testing steps
- Checklist: conventional commits, no duplicates, focused changes,
  tests pass, tests added, platform tested
- Dedicated 'New Skills' section asking if skill is broadly useful
  and properly formatted/tested

Key problems these templates address:
- Bug reports with no reproduction steps or environment info
- Duplicate/racing PRs (multiple people fixing same issue)
- Stale branches with 85+ unrelated file changes
- Junk skill PRs that should go to Skills Hub instead of bundled
- Missing tests on bug fix PRs
- No issue references on PRs

.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,144 @@
+name: "🐛 Bug Report"
+description: Report a bug — something that's broken, crashes, or behaves incorrectly.
+title: "[Bug]: "
+labels: ["bug"]
+body:
+  - type: markdown
+    attributes:
+      value: |
+        Thanks for reporting a bug! Please fill out the sections below so we can reproduce and fix it quickly.
+
+        **Before submitting**, please:
+        - [ ] Search [existing issues](https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/issues) to avoid duplicates
+        - [ ] Update to the latest version (`hermes update`) and confirm the bug still exists
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: description
+    attributes:
+      label: Bug Description
+      description: A clear description of what's broken. Include error messages, tracebacks, or screenshots if relevant.
+      placeholder: |
+        What happened? What did you expect to happen instead?
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: reproduction
+    attributes:
+      label: Steps to Reproduce
+      description: Minimal steps to trigger the bug. The more specific, the faster we can fix it.
+      placeholder: |
+        1. Run `hermes chat`
+        2. Send the message "..."
+        3. Agent calls tool X
+        4. Error appears: ...
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: expected
+    attributes:
+      label: Expected Behavior
+      description: What should have happened instead?
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: actual
+    attributes:
+      label: Actual Behavior
+      description: What actually happened? Include full error output if available.
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: dropdown
+    id: component
+    attributes:
+      label: Affected Component
+      description: Which part of Hermes is affected?
+      multiple: true
+      options:
+        - CLI (interactive chat)
+        - Gateway (Telegram/Discord/Slack/WhatsApp)
+        - Setup / Installation
+        - Tools (terminal, file ops, web, code execution, etc.)
+        - Skills (skill loading, skill hub, skill guard)
+        - Agent Core (conversation loop, context compression, memory)
+        - Configuration (config.yaml, .env, hermes setup)
+        - Other
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: dropdown
+    id: platform
+    attributes:
+      label: Messaging Platform (if gateway-related)
+      description: Which platform adapter is affected?
+      multiple: true
+      options:
+        - N/A (CLI only)
+        - Telegram
+        - Discord
+        - Slack
+        - WhatsApp
+
+  - type: input
+    id: os
+    attributes:
+      label: Operating System
+      description: e.g. Ubuntu 24.04, macOS 15.2, Windows 11
+      placeholder: Ubuntu 24.04
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: input
+    id: python-version
+    attributes:
+      label: Python Version
+      description: Output of `python --version`
+      placeholder: "3.11.9"
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: input
+    id: hermes-version
+    attributes:
+      label: Hermes Version
+      description: Output of `hermes version`
+      placeholder: "2.1.0"
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: logs
+    attributes:
+      label: Relevant Logs / Traceback
+      description: Paste any error output, traceback, or log messages. This will be auto-formatted as code.
+      render: shell
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: root-cause
+    attributes:
+      label: Root Cause Analysis (optional)
+      description: |
+        If you've dug into the code and identified the root cause, share it here.
+        Include file paths, line numbers, and code snippets if possible. This massively speeds up fixes.
+      placeholder: |
+        The bug is in `gateway/run.py` line 949. `len(history)` counts session_meta entries
+        but `agent_messages` was built from filtered history...
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: proposed-fix
+    attributes:
+      label: Proposed Fix (optional)
+      description: If you have a fix in mind (or a PR ready), describe it here.
+      placeholder: |
+        Replace `.get()` with `.pop()` on line 289 of `gateway/platforms/base.py`
+        to actually clear the pending message after retrieval.
+
+  - type: checkboxes
+    id: pr-ready
+    attributes:
+      label: Are you willing to submit a PR for this?
+      options:
+        - label: I'd like to fix this myself and submit a PR

.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/config.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+blank_issues_enabled: true
+contact_links:
+  - name: 💬 Nous Research Discord
+    url: https://discord.gg/NousResearch
+    about: For quick questions, showcasing projects, sharing skills, and community chat.
+  - name: 📖 Documentation
+    url: https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/blob/main/README.md
+    about: Check the README and docs before opening an issue.
+  - name: 🤝 Contributing Guide
+    url: https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md
+    about: Read this before submitting a PR.

.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_request.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,73 @@
+name: "✨ Feature Request"
+description: Suggest a new feature or improvement.
+title: "[Feature]: "
+labels: ["enhancement"]
+body:
+  - type: markdown
+    attributes:
+      value: |
+        Thanks for the suggestion! Before submitting, please consider:
+
+        - **Is this a new skill?** Most capabilities should be [skills, not tools](https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md#should-it-be-a-skill-or-a-tool). If it's a specialized integration (crypto, NFT, niche SaaS), it belongs on the Skills Hub, not bundled.
+        - **Search [existing issues](https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/issues)** — someone may have already proposed this.
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: problem
+    attributes:
+      label: Problem or Use Case
+      description: What problem does this solve? What are you trying to do that you can't today?
+      placeholder: |
+        I'm trying to use Hermes with [provider/platform/workflow] but currently
+        there's no way to...
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: solution
+    attributes:
+      label: Proposed Solution
+      description: How do you think this should work? Be as specific as you can — CLI flags, config options, UI behavior.
+      placeholder: |
+        Add a `--foo` flag to `hermes chat` that enables...
+        Or: Add a config key `bar.baz` that controls...
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: alternatives
+    attributes:
+      label: Alternatives Considered
+      description: What other approaches did you consider? Why is the proposed solution better?
+
+  - type: dropdown
+    id: type
+    attributes:
+      label: Feature Type
+      options:
+        - New tool
+        - New bundled skill
+        - CLI improvement
+        - Gateway / messaging improvement
+        - Configuration option
+        - Performance / reliability
+        - Developer experience (tests, docs, CI)
+        - Other
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: dropdown
+    id: scope
+    attributes:
+      label: Scope
+      description: How big is this change?
+      options:
+        - Small (single file, < 50 lines)
+        - Medium (few files, < 300 lines)
+        - Large (new module or significant refactor)
+
+  - type: checkboxes
+    id: pr-ready
+    attributes:
+      label: Contribution
+      options:
+        - label: I'd like to implement this myself and submit a PR

.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/setup_help.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,100 @@
+name: "🔧 Setup / Installation Help"
+description: Having trouble installing or configuring Hermes? Ask here.
+title: "[Setup]: "
+labels: ["setup"]
+body:
+  - type: markdown
+    attributes:
+      value: |
+        Sorry you're having trouble! Please fill out the details below so we can help.
+
+        **Quick checks first:**
+        - Run `hermes doctor` and include the output below
+        - Try `hermes update` to get the latest version
+        - Check the [README troubleshooting section](https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent#troubleshooting)
+        - For general questions, consider the [Nous Research Discord](https://discord.gg/NousResearch) for faster help
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: description
+    attributes:
+      label: What's Going Wrong?
+      description: Describe what you're trying to do and where it fails.
+      placeholder: |
+        I ran `hermes setup` and selected Nous Portal, but when I try to
+        start the gateway I get...
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: steps
+    attributes:
+      label: Steps Taken
+      description: What did you do? Include the exact commands you ran.
+      placeholder: |
+        1. Ran the install script: `curl -fsSL ... | bash`
+        2. Ran `hermes setup` and chose "Quick setup"
+        3. Selected OpenRouter, entered API key
+        4. Ran `hermes chat` and got error...
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: dropdown
+    id: install-method
+    attributes:
+      label: Installation Method
+      options:
+        - Install script (curl | bash)
+        - Manual clone + pip/uv install
+        - PowerShell installer (Windows)
+        - Docker
+        - Other
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: input
+    id: os
+    attributes:
+      label: Operating System
+      placeholder: Ubuntu 24.04 / macOS 15.2 / Windows 11
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: input
+    id: python-version
+    attributes:
+      label: Python Version
+      description: Output of `python --version` (or `python3 --version`)
+      placeholder: "3.11.9"
+
+  - type: input
+    id: hermes-version
+    attributes:
+      label: Hermes Version
+      description: Output of `hermes version` (if install got that far)
+      placeholder: "2.1.0"
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: doctor-output
+    attributes:
+      label: Output of `hermes doctor`
+      description: Run `hermes doctor` and paste the full output. This will be auto-formatted.
+      render: shell
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: error-output
+    attributes:
+      label: Full Error Output
+      description: Paste the complete error message or traceback. This will be auto-formatted.
+      render: shell
+    validations:
+      required: true
+
+  - type: textarea
+    id: tried
+    attributes:
+      label: What I've Already Tried
+      description: List any fixes or workarounds you've already attempted.
+      placeholder: |
+        - Ran `hermes update`
+        - Tried reinstalling with `pip install -e ".[all]"`
+        - Checked that OPENROUTER_API_KEY is set in ~/.hermes/.env

.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md

@@ -0,0 +1,63 @@
+## What does this PR do?
+
+<!-- Describe the change clearly. What problem does it solve? Why is this approach the right one? -->
+
+
+
+## Related Issue
+
+<!-- Link the issue this PR addresses. If no issue exists, consider creating one first. -->
+
+Fixes #
+
+## Type of Change
+
+<!-- Check the one that applies. -->
+
+- [ ] 🐛 Bug fix (non-breaking change that fixes an issue)
+- [ ] ✨ New feature (non-breaking change that adds functionality)
+- [ ] 🔒 Security fix
+- [ ] 📝 Documentation update
+- [ ] ✅ Tests (adding or improving test coverage)
+- [ ] ♻️ Refactor (no behavior change)
+- [ ] 🎯 New skill (bundled or hub)
+
+## Changes Made
+
+<!-- List the specific changes. Include file paths for code changes. -->
+
+- 
+
+## How to Test
+
+<!-- Steps to verify this change works. For bugs: reproduction steps + proof that the fix works. -->
+
+1. 
+2. 
+3. 
+
+## Checklist
+
+<!-- Complete these before requesting review. -->
+
+- [ ] I've read the [Contributing Guide](https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md)
+- [ ] My commit messages follow [Conventional Commits](https://www.conventionalcommits.org/) (`fix(scope):`, `feat(scope):`, etc.)
+- [ ] I searched for [existing PRs](https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/pulls) to make sure this isn't a duplicate
+- [ ] My PR contains **only** changes related to this fix/feature (no unrelated commits)
+- [ ] I've run `pytest tests/ -q` and all tests pass
+- [ ] I've added tests for my changes (required for bug fixes, strongly encouraged for features)
+- [ ] I've tested on my platform: <!-- e.g. Ubuntu 24.04, macOS 15.2, Windows 11 -->
+
+## For New Skills
+
+<!-- Only fill this out if you're adding a skill. Delete this section otherwise. -->
+
+- [ ] This skill is **broadly useful** to most users (if bundled) — see [Contributing Guide](https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md#should-the-skill-be-bundled)
+- [ ] SKILL.md follows the [standard format](https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md#skillmd-format) (frontmatter, trigger conditions, steps, pitfalls)
+- [ ] No external dependencies that aren't already available (prefer stdlib, curl, existing Hermes tools)
+- [ ] I've tested the skill end-to-end: `hermes --toolsets skills -q "Use the X skill to do Y"`
+
+## Screenshots / Logs
+
+<!-- If applicable, add screenshots or log output showing the fix/feature in action. -->
+