diff --git a/.cursorrules b/.cursorrules
index 033353e71..4a4641c4f 100644
--- a/.cursorrules
+++ b/.cursorrules
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-Hermes-Agent is an agent harness for LLMs.
+Hermes-Agent is an agent harness for LLMs with an interactive CLI.
 
 ## Development Environment
 
@@ -9,12 +9,15 @@ source venv/bin/activate  # Before running any Python commands
 
 ## Project Structure
 
+- `hermes` - CLI launcher script (run with `./hermes`)
+- `cli.py` - Interactive CLI with Rich UI, prompt_toolkit, animated spinners
+- `cli-config.yaml` - CLI configuration (model, terminal, toolsets, personalities)
 - `tools/` - Individual tool implementations (web, terminal, browser, vision, etc.)
 - `tools/__init__.py` - Exports all tools for importing
 - `model_tools.py` - Consolidates tool schemas and handlers for the agent
 - `toolsets.py` - Groups tools into logical toolsets (web, terminal, browser, etc.)
 - `toolset_distributions.py` - Probability-based tool selection for data generation
-- `run_agent.py` - Primary agent runner with AIAgent class
+- `run_agent.py` - Primary agent runner with AIAgent class and KawaiiSpinner
 - `batch_runner.py` - Parallel batch processing with checkpointing
 - `tests/` - Test scripts
 
@@ -24,11 +27,33 @@ source venv/bin/activate  # Before running any Python commands
 tools/*.py → tools/__init__.py → model_tools.py → toolsets.py → toolset_distributions.py
                                        ↑
 run_agent.py ──────────────────────────┘
+cli.py → run_agent.py (uses AIAgent with quiet_mode=True)
 batch_runner.py → run_agent.py + toolset_distributions.py
 ```
 
 Always ensure consistency between tools, model_tools.py, and toolsets.py when changing any of them.
 
+## CLI Architecture (cli.py)
+
+The interactive CLI uses:
+- **Rich** - For the welcome banner and styled panels
+- **prompt_toolkit** - For fixed input area with history and `patch_stdout`
+- **KawaiiSpinner** (in run_agent.py) - Animated feedback during API calls and tool execution
+
+Key components:
+- `HermesCLI` class - Main CLI controller with commands and conversation loop
+- `load_cli_config()` - Loads `cli-config.yaml`, sets environment variables for terminal
+- `build_welcome_banner()` - Displays ASCII art logo, tools, and skills summary
+- `/commands` - Process user commands like `/help`, `/clear`, `/personality`, etc.
+
+CLI uses `quiet_mode=True` when creating AIAgent to suppress verbose logging and enable kawaii-style feedback instead.
+
+### Adding CLI Commands
+
+1. Add to `COMMANDS` dict with description
+2. Add handler in `process_command()` method
+3. For persistent settings, use `save_config_value()` to update `cli-config.yaml`
+
 ## Adding a New Tool
 
 Follow this strict order to maintain consistency:
@@ -92,6 +117,11 @@ API keys are loaded from `.env` file in repo root:
 - `FAL_KEY` - Image generation (FLUX model)
 - `NOUS_API_KEY` - Vision and Mixture-of-Agents tools
 
+Terminal tool configuration (can also be set in `cli-config.yaml`):
+- `TERMINAL_ENV` - Backend: local, docker, singularity, modal, or ssh
+- `TERMINAL_CWD` - Working directory
+- `TERMINAL_SSH_HOST`, `TERMINAL_SSH_USER`, `TERMINAL_SSH_KEY` - For SSH backend
+
 ## Agent Loop (run_agent.py)
 
 The AIAgent class handles:
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 5ceece4dd..ca80bc75a 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -4,8 +4,9 @@ An AI agent with advanced tool-calling capabilities, featuring a flexible toolse
 
 ## Features
 
+- **Interactive CLI**: Beautiful terminal interface with animated feedback, personalities, and session management
 - **Web Tools**: Search, extract content, and crawl websites
-- **Terminal Tools**: Execute commands via mini-swe-agent (local, Docker, or Modal backends)
+- **Terminal Tools**: Execute commands via local, Docker, Singularity, Modal, or SSH backends
 - **Browser Tools**: Automate web browsers to navigate, click, type, and extract content
 - **Vision Tools**: Analyze images from URLs
 - **Reasoning Tools**: Advanced multi-model reasoning (Mixture of Agents)
@@ -15,6 +16,23 @@ An AI agent with advanced tool-calling capabilities, featuring a flexible toolse
 - **Batch Processing**: Process datasets in parallel with checkpointing and statistics tracking
 - **Ephemeral System Prompts**: Guide model behavior without polluting training datasets
 
+## Quick Start (CLI)
+
+```bash
+# After setup (see below), just run:
+./hermes
+
+# Or with options:
+./hermes --model "anthropic/claude-sonnet-4" --toolsets "web,terminal"
+```
+
+The CLI provides:
+- Animated spinners during thinking and tool execution
+- Kawaii-style feedback messages
+- `/commands` for configuration, history, and session management
+- Customizable personalities (`/personality kawaii`, `/personality pirate`, etc.)
+- Persistent configuration via `cli-config.yaml`
+
 ## Setup
 
 ### 1. Clone the Repository
@@ -65,11 +83,12 @@ nano .env  # or use your preferred editor
 
 ### 4. Configure Terminal Backend
 
-The terminal tool uses **mini-swe-agent** environments. Configure in `.env`:
+The terminal tool uses **mini-swe-agent** environments. Configure in `.env` or `cli-config.yaml`:
 
 ```bash
-# Backend: "local", "docker", "singularity", or "modal"
+# Backend: "local", "docker", "singularity", "modal", or "ssh"
 TERMINAL_ENV=local          # Default: runs on host machine (no isolation)
+TERMINAL_ENV=ssh            # Remote execution via SSH (agent code stays local)
 TERMINAL_ENV=singularity    # Recommended for HPC: Apptainer/Singularity containers
 TERMINAL_ENV=docker         # Isolated Docker containers
 TERMINAL_ENV=modal          # Cloud execution via Modal
@@ -78,10 +97,16 @@ TERMINAL_ENV=modal          # Cloud execution via Modal
 TERMINAL_DOCKER_IMAGE=python:3.11-slim
 TERMINAL_SINGULARITY_IMAGE=docker://python:3.11-slim
 TERMINAL_TIMEOUT=60
+
+# SSH backend (for ssh)
+TERMINAL_SSH_HOST=my-server.example.com
+TERMINAL_SSH_USER=myuser
+TERMINAL_SSH_KEY=~/.ssh/id_rsa  # Optional, uses ssh-agent if not set
 ```
 
 **Backend Requirements:**
 - **local**: No extra setup (runs directly on your machine, no isolation)
+- **ssh**: SSH access to remote machine (great for sandboxing - agent can't touch its own code)
 - **singularity**: Requires Apptainer or Singularity installed (common on HPC clusters, no root needed)
 - **docker**: Requires Docker installed and user in `docker` group
 - **modal**: Requires Modal account (see setup below)
@@ -232,6 +257,80 @@ Skills can include:
 - `templates/` - Output formats, config files, boilerplate code
 - `scripts/` - Executable helpers (Python, shell scripts)
 
+## Interactive CLI
+
+The CLI provides a rich interactive experience for working with the agent.
+
+### Running the CLI
+
+```bash
+# Basic usage
+./hermes
+
+# With specific model
+./hermes --model "anthropic/claude-sonnet-4"
+
+# With specific toolsets
+./hermes --toolsets "web,terminal,skills"
+```
+
+### CLI Commands
+
+| Command | Description |
+|---------|-------------|
+| `/help` | Show available commands |
+| `/tools` | List available tools by toolset |
+| `/toolsets` | List available toolsets |
+| `/model [name]` | Show or change the current model |
+| `/prompt [text]` | View/set custom system prompt |
+| `/personality [name]` | Set a predefined personality |
+| `/clear` | Clear screen and reset conversation |
+| `/reset` | Reset conversation only |
+| `/history` | Show conversation history |
+| `/save` | Save current conversation to file |
+| `/config` | Show current configuration |
+| `/quit` | Exit the CLI |
+
+### Configuration
+
+Copy `cli-config.yaml.example` to `cli-config.yaml` and customize:
+
+```yaml
+# Model settings
+model:
+  default: "anthropic/claude-sonnet-4"
+
+# Terminal backend (local, docker, singularity, modal, or ssh)
+terminal:
+  env_type: "local"
+  cwd: "."  # Use current directory
+
+# Or use SSH for remote execution (keeps agent code isolated)
+# terminal:
+#   env_type: "ssh"
+#   ssh_host: "my-server.example.com"
+#   ssh_user: "myuser"
+#   ssh_key: "~/.ssh/id_rsa"
+#   cwd: "/home/myuser/project"
+
+# Enable specific toolsets
+toolsets:
+  - all  # or: web, terminal, browser, vision, etc.
+
+# Custom personalities (use with /personality command)
+agent:
+  personalities:
+    helpful: "You are a helpful assistant."
+    kawaii: "You are a kawaii assistant! Use cute expressions..."
+```
+
+### Personalities
+
+Built-in personalities available via `/personality`:
+- `helpful`, `concise`, `technical`, `creative`, `teacher`
+- `kawaii`, `catgirl`, `pirate`, `shakespeare`, `surfer`
+- `noir`, `uwu`, `philosopher`, `hype`
+
 ## Toolsets System
 
 The agent uses a toolsets system for organizing and managing tools. All tools must be part of a toolset to be accessible - individual tool selection is not supported. This ensures consistent and logical grouping of capabilities.
@@ -456,6 +555,9 @@ All environment variables can be configured in the `.env` file (copy from `.env.
 
 | File | Purpose |
 |------|---------|
+| `hermes` | CLI launcher script (run with `./hermes`) |
+| `cli.py` | Interactive CLI implementation |
+| `cli-config.yaml` | CLI configuration (copy from `.example`) |
 | `run_agent.py` | Main agent runner - single query execution |
 | `batch_runner.py` | Parallel batch processing with checkpointing |
 | `model_tools.py` | Core tool definitions and handlers |
@@ -465,5 +567,5 @@ All environment variables can be configured in the `.env` file (copy from `.env.
 | `tools/` | Individual tool implementations |
 | `tools/skills_tool.py` | Skills system with progressive disclosure |
 | `skills/` | On-demand knowledge documents |
-| `architecture/` | Design documentation |
+| `docs/` | Documentation |
 | `configs/` | Example batch run scripts |
diff --git a/docs/cli.md b/docs/cli.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..6e42475eb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/cli.md
@@ -0,0 +1,217 @@
+# CLI
+
+The Hermes Agent CLI provides an interactive terminal interface for working with the agent.
+
+## Running the CLI
+
+```bash
+# Basic usage
+./hermes
+
+# With specific model
+./hermes --model "anthropic/claude-sonnet-4"
+
+# With specific toolsets
+./hermes --toolsets "web,terminal,skills"
+
+# Verbose mode
+./hermes --verbose
+```
+
+## Architecture
+
+The CLI is implemented in `cli.py` and uses:
+
+- **Rich** - Welcome banner with ASCII art and styled panels
+- **prompt_toolkit** - Fixed input area with command history
+- **KawaiiSpinner** - Animated feedback during operations
+
+```
+┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
+│  HERMES-AGENT ASCII Logo                        │
+│  ┌─────────────┐ ┌────────────────────────────┐ │
+│  │  Caduceus   │ │ Model: claude-opus-4.5     │ │
+│  │  ASCII Art  │ │ Terminal: local            │ │
+│  │             │ │ Working Dir: /home/user    │ │
+│  │             │ │ Available Tools: 19        │ │
+│  │             │ │ Available Skills: 12       │ │
+│  └─────────────┘ └────────────────────────────┘ │
+└─────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
+│ Conversation output scrolls here...             │
+│                                                 │
+│ User: Hello!                                    │
+│ ────────────────────────────────────────────── │
+│   (◕‿◕✿) 🧠 pondering... (2.3s)                │
+│   ✧٩(ˊᗜˋ*)و✧ got it! (2.3s)                    │
+│                                                 │
+│ Assistant: Hello! How can I help you today?    │
+├─────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
+│ ❯ [Fixed input area at bottom]                  │
+└─────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
+```
+
+## Commands
+
+| Command | Description |
+|---------|-------------|
+| `/help` | Show available commands |
+| `/tools` | List available tools grouped by toolset |
+| `/toolsets` | List available toolsets with descriptions |
+| `/model [name]` | Show or change the current model |
+| `/prompt [text]` | View/set/clear custom system prompt |
+| `/personality [name]` | Set a predefined personality |
+| `/clear` | Clear screen and reset conversation |
+| `/reset` | Reset conversation only (keep screen) |
+| `/history` | Show conversation history |
+| `/save` | Save current conversation to file |
+| `/config` | Show current configuration |
+| `/quit` | Exit the CLI (also: `/exit`, `/q`) |
+
+## Configuration
+
+The CLI is configured via `cli-config.yaml`. Copy from `cli-config.yaml.example`:
+
+```bash
+cp cli-config.yaml.example cli-config.yaml
+```
+
+### Model Configuration
+
+```yaml
+model:
+  default: "anthropic/claude-opus-4.5"
+  base_url: "https://openrouter.ai/api/v1"
+```
+
+### Terminal Configuration
+
+The CLI supports multiple terminal backends:
+
+```yaml
+# Local execution (default)
+terminal:
+  env_type: "local"
+  cwd: "."  # Current directory
+
+# SSH remote execution (sandboxed - agent can't touch its own code)
+terminal:
+  env_type: "ssh"
+  cwd: "/home/myuser/project"
+  ssh_host: "my-server.example.com"
+  ssh_user: "myuser"
+  ssh_key: "~/.ssh/id_rsa"
+
+# Docker container
+terminal:
+  env_type: "docker"
+  docker_image: "python:3.11"
+
+# Singularity/Apptainer (HPC)
+terminal:
+  env_type: "singularity"
+  singularity_image: "docker://python:3.11"
+
+# Modal cloud
+terminal:
+  env_type: "modal"
+  modal_image: "python:3.11"
+```
+
+### Toolsets
+
+Control which tools are available:
+
+```yaml
+# Enable all tools
+toolsets:
+  - all
+
+# Or enable specific toolsets
+toolsets:
+  - web
+  - terminal
+  - skills
+```
+
+Available toolsets: `web`, `search`, `terminal`, `browser`, `vision`, `image_gen`, `skills`, `moa`, `debugging`, `safe`
+
+### Personalities
+
+Predefined personalities for the `/personality` command:
+
+```yaml
+agent:
+  personalities:
+    helpful: "You are a helpful, friendly AI assistant."
+    kawaii: "You are a kawaii assistant! Use cute expressions..."
+    pirate: "Arrr! Ye be talkin' to Captain Hermes..."
+    # Add your own!
+```
+
+Built-in personalities:
+- `helpful`, `concise`, `technical`, `creative`, `teacher`
+- `kawaii`, `catgirl`, `pirate`, `shakespeare`, `surfer`
+- `noir`, `uwu`, `philosopher`, `hype`
+
+## Animated Feedback
+
+The CLI provides animated feedback during operations:
+
+### Thinking Animation
+
+During API calls, shows animated spinner with thinking verbs:
+```
+  ◜ (｡•́︿•̀｡) pondering... (1.2s)
+  ◠ (⊙_⊙) contemplating... (2.4s)
+  ✧٩(ˊᗜˋ*)و✧ got it! (3.1s)
+```
+
+### Tool Execution Animation
+
+Each tool type has unique animations:
+```
+  ⠋ (◕‿◕✿) 🔍 web_search... (0.8s)
+  ▅ (≧◡≦) 💻 terminal... (1.2s)
+  🌓 (★ω★) 🌐 browser_navigate... (2.1s)
+  ✧ (✿◠‿◠) 🎨 image_generate... (4.5s)
+```
+
+## Multi-line Input
+
+For multi-line input, end a line with `\` to continue:
+
+```
+❯ Write a function that:\
+  1. Takes a list of numbers\
+  2. Returns the sum
+```
+
+## Environment Variable Priority
+
+For terminal settings, `cli-config.yaml` takes precedence over `.env`:
+
+1. `cli-config.yaml` (highest priority in CLI)
+2. `.env` file
+3. System environment variables
+4. Default values
+
+This allows you to have different terminal configs for CLI vs batch processing.
+
+## Session Management
+
+- **History**: Command history is saved to `~/.hermes_history`
+- **Conversations**: Use `/save` to export conversations
+- **Reset**: Use `/clear` for full reset, `/reset` to just clear history
+
+## Quiet Mode
+
+The CLI runs in "quiet mode" (`HERMES_QUIET=1`), which:
+- Suppresses verbose logging from tools
+- Enables kawaii-style animated feedback
+- Hides terminal environment warnings
+- Keeps output clean and user-friendly
+
+For verbose output (debugging), use:
+```bash
+./hermes --verbose
+```
diff --git a/docs/tools.md b/docs/tools.md
index edad6d6c8..4c84c83c1 100644
--- a/docs/tools.md
+++ b/docs/tools.md
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ async def web_search(query: str) -> dict:
 | Category | Module | Tools |
 |----------|--------|-------|
 | **Web** | `web_tools.py` | `web_search`, `web_extract`, `web_crawl` |
-| **Terminal** | `terminal_tool.py` | `terminal` (local/docker/singularity/modal backends) |
+| **Terminal** | `terminal_tool.py` | `terminal` (local/docker/singularity/modal/ssh backends) |
 | **Browser** | `browser_tool.py` | `browser_navigate`, `browser_click`, `browser_type`, etc. |
 | **Vision** | `vision_tools.py` | `vision_analyze` |
 | **Image Gen** | `image_generation_tool.py` | `image_generate` |
@@ -102,6 +102,32 @@ Some tools maintain state across calls within a session:
 
 State is managed per `task_id` and cleaned up automatically.
 
+## Terminal Backends
+
+The terminal tool supports multiple execution backends:
+
+| Backend | Description | Use Case |
+|---------|-------------|----------|
+| `local` | Direct execution on host | Development, simple tasks |
+| `ssh` | Remote execution via SSH | Sandboxing (agent can't modify its own code) |
+| `docker` | Docker container | Isolation, reproducibility |
+| `singularity` | Singularity/Apptainer | HPC clusters, rootless containers |
+| `modal` | Modal cloud | Scalable cloud compute, GPUs |
+
+Configure via environment variables or `cli-config.yaml`:
+
+```yaml
+# SSH backend example (in cli-config.yaml)
+terminal:
+  env_type: "ssh"
+  ssh_host: "my-server.example.com"
+  ssh_user: "myuser"
+  ssh_key: "~/.ssh/id_rsa"
+  cwd: "/home/myuser/project"
+```
+
+The SSH backend uses ControlMaster for connection persistence, making subsequent commands fast.
+
 ## Skills Tools (Progressive Disclosure)
 
 Skills are on-demand knowledge documents. They use **progressive disclosure** to minimize tokens: