watchers

Poll RSS, JSON, and GitHub endpoints to detect new items with watermark deduplication.

1|Updated Jul 31, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/icyzh/hermes-web --skill watchers-icyzh
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: watchers
Source: https://github.com/icyzh/hermes-web/tree/main/optional-skills/devops/watchers
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/icyzh/hermes-web --skill watchers-icyzh

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes scripts (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

This Skill solves the problem of manual information gathering by automating the polling of external data sources and notifying you only when new, relevant content appears.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Multi-Source Polling: Monitor RSS/Atom feeds, arbitrary JSON APIs, and GitHub activity (issues, pulls, releases, commits) from a single interface.
  • Intelligent Deduplication: Uses a persistent watermark system to ensure you are only alerted to new items, preventing redundant notifications.
  • Use Case: Automatically track a specific GitHub repository for new releases or monitor a news feed for specific keywords, receiving a summarized digest only when updates occur.

Quick Start

Use the watchers skill to monitor the NousResearch hermes-agent repository for new issues and report them to the current chat.

Frequently Asked Questions about watchers

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I automate polling RSS feeds and GitHub repositories for new items?

You can automate polling RSS feeds and GitHub repositories by using a persistent watermark-based deduplication system that periodically checks external endpoints and reports only newly detected items. This prevents redundant notifications and manual information gathering.

How does watermark-based deduplication work for monitoring JSON APIs and web feeds?

Watermark-based deduplication tracks the last processed item from JSON APIs and web feeds using a persistent state. It compares new polling results against this watermark, ensuring you are only alerted to new items while skipping previously reported content.

Can I monitor GitHub issues, pulls, and releases using Python standard libraries?

Yes, you can monitor GitHub issues, pulls, and releases using standard Python libraries. The monitoring requires environment-based configuration for authentication and state management to poll repository activity and report new items.

What's the best way to track GitHub repository activity and receive real-time updates?

The best way to track GitHub repository activity is through automated polling with a persistent deduplication system. This monitors issues, pulls, releases, and commits, providing a summarized digest of new items only when updates occur.

Does automated monitoring support arbitrary JSON APIs and Atom feeds from a single interface?

Yes, automated monitoring supports polling arbitrary JSON APIs and RSS/Atom feeds from a single interface. It uses persistent watermarks to deduplicate data streams, ensuring you receive real-time updates without redundant alerts.

Why do I need environment-based configuration for GitHub monitoring?

Environment-based configuration is needed for GitHub monitoring to securely manage authentication credentials and maintain state. This setup allows the polling scripts to access repository activity and track watermarks across sessions.