Hermēs DocumentationFrom GEX to Confluence
Multi-layer overlap is the real signal — four-layer framework + star rating algorithm + Hermes mapping
One-line positioning
Single-layer Levels: don't trade. Multi-layer overlap: act. That's Confluence.
The purple ★★★ zones on Hermes' chart aren't decoration — they're four layers of evidence stacked on the same price.
Three core mantras
1. Single layer = don't open. Two layers = watch. Three = prepare. Four+ = must defend.
2. Four layers: Regime → Structure → Positioning → Flow. None can be skipped.
3. Confluence gives you high-probability reaction zones, NOT direction. Direction always waits for price action.
Why GEX alone isn't enough
In Chapter 3 you learned to read GEX — find C1/P1, identify HVL, weight with OI/Volume.
But pure GEX has a fundamental limit:
GEX shows you structure. It doesn't tell you whether this structure is what the market will respond to right now.
Two examples:
| Scenario | GEX shows | But… |
|---|---|---|
| A | 6010 C1 ★★★ huge wall | Current NET negative, regime = Short Gamma → C1 may get punched right through |
| B | 5950 P1 ordinary | OI + Volume + DEX all clustered here → actually the key support |
Conclusion:
True high-probability reaction zones = multiple independent pieces of evidence stacked at the same price.
That's Confluence.
The four-layer Confluence framework
Sort all relevant data into four categories. Each is independent evidence:
┌──────────────────────────────────┐
│ 4. Flow (Volume / Heat) │ ← What's happening now
├──────────────────────────────────┤
│ 3. Positioning (Open Interest) │ ← Built positions
├──────────────────────────────────┤
│ 2. Structure (GEX Levels) │ ← Dealer hedging sensitivity
├──────────────────────────────────┤
│ 1. Regime │ ← Which universe today
└──────────────────────────────────┘
↓
Multi-layer stack = ConfluenceFour independent layers → low coincidence probability when they overlap → structure is real.
Layer 1: Regime
Decides whether today's script is fade or momentum.
Three key indicators
| Signal | Where in Hermes | How to read |
|---|---|---|
| Current Long / Short Gamma | Header NET sign + regime tint | NET > 0 = Long; < 0 = Short |
| Price vs HVL | Chart golden line | Above = Long universe; below = Short universe |
| In transition zone? | cT / pT markers + Gamma Flip Alert | Inside = imminent regime change |
How regime affects other layers' weight
| Regime | C1 weight | P1 weight |
|---|---|---|
| Long Gamma (above HVL) | C1 usually = suppression (high) | P1 usually = support (mid) |
| Short Gamma (below HVL) | C1 = launchpad risk (mid) | P1 = air-pocket risk (mid-low) |
| Transition | All Levels re-evaluated | Don't trust any Level lightly |
Mantra
Regime sets script: Long Gamma → fade. Short Gamma → momentum. Transition → no bets.
Layer 2: Structure (GEX Levels)
Marks the dealer-hedging-sensitive reaction zones.
Primary vs secondary
| Category | Items | Where in Hermes |
|---|---|---|
| Primary (default on) | HVL / C1 / P1 / cT / pT | Chart solid + Levels Reading Board ★★★ rows |
| Secondary (toggleable) | C2-C6 / P2-P6 | Levels Drawer + chart dashed |
| Absolute gamma peaks | Ab1 / Ab2 / Ab3 | Purple Ab markers |
Weighting hints
| Level | Confluence contribution |
|---|---|
| C1 / P1 | +1 layer (always counted) |
| HVL | +1 layer (only when price is within threshold of HVL) |
| cT / pT | +1 layer (only when price is in transition zone) |
| C2-C6 / P2-P6 | +0.5 layer (secondary support) |
| Ab1 | +1 layer (absolute gamma peak) |
| Ab2 / Ab3 | +0.5 layer |
Layer 3: Positioning (Open Interest)
Tells you real exposure per strike, not just theoretical sensitivity.
Key metrics
| Metric | Meaning | Where in Hermes |
|---|---|---|
| AbOI | Total OI peak (Call + Put) | Levels Reading Board orange AbOI row |
| COI | Call OI concentration peak | Levels Reading Board yellow COI row |
| POI | Put OI concentration peak | Levels Reading Board yellow POI row |
| nCOI / nPOI | Net Call / Put OI | Levels Reading Board nCOI / nPOI rows |
Weighting hints
| Item | Confluence contribution |
|---|---|
| AbOI within Δ of spot | +1 layer |
| COI overlaps C1 | +1 layer ("wall is real") |
| POI overlaps P1 | +1 layer |
| nCOI / nPOI peaks | +0.5 layer |
Mantra
GEX primary wall + big OI = this wall is not an empty frame. It's reality with positioned exposure.
Layer 4: Flow (Volume)
Tells you which strikes are being heated right now.
OI is history. Volume is the present.
Key metrics
| Metric | Meaning | Where in Hermes |
|---|---|---|
| CV / PV | Call / Put volume peak | Levels Reading Board blue CV / PV rows |
| nCV / nPV | Net volume peak | Levels Reading Board nCV / nPV rows |
| Heat Trail | max_priors 30-min trajectory | Chart bottom-right GEX Trail (1m/5m/10m/15m/30m) |
| DEX D+ / D- | Delta sensitivity extremes | Levels Reading Board gray D+ / D- rows |
Weighting hints
| Item | Confluence contribution |
|---|---|
| CV overlaps C1 | +1 layer |
| PV overlaps P1 | +1 layer |
| nCV / nPV overlaps primary wall | +0.5 layer |
| Heat Trail sustained on this strike across windows | +1 layer ("flow is heating") |
| D+ / D- overlaps primary wall | +1 layer |
Mantras
Primary wall + big OI + big Volume = alive heavy.
Primary wall + big OI + no Volume = old structure. Regime may be stale.
Heat Trail lit consistently on one strike = positioning is reshaping that strike.
Hermes' Confluence scoring system
You don't compute by hand. The logic lives in src/lib/agents/confluence.ts → computeConfluence().
Scoring flow
For each candidate strike:
1. Scan all Levels (primary + secondary + Ab + OI + Volume + DEX) within ± window
2. Weight by layer and importance
3. Sum → confluence score
4. Map to ★ countStar table
| Confluence Score | Stars | Color | Practical meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| < 2 | none | gray | Noise, ignore |
| 2-3 | ★ | yellow | Medium, note it |
| 3-4 | ★★ | orange | Strong, build scenario |
| 4+ | ★★★ | purple zone | Heavy, must defend |
Where to see in Hermes
| Display | Location |
|---|---|
| ★ count per Level | Levels Reading Board right side of each row |
| Chart purple zone | Gamma Chart auto-highlights ★★★ reaction zones |
| Insight Rail "Confluence Heat" | Lists top ★★★ zones sorted by distance to spot |
| TacticalHUD Zone column | Auto-activates scenario script when near ★★★ zone |
Practice: apply the four-layer framework to today's ES
Assume ES 5980, DTE = 0.
Layer 1: Regime
- NET = +280 → Long Gamma
- HVL = 5960, spot > HVL → Long universe ✅
- Regime tint green ✅
- Not in transition zone
- 🟢 Script bias: Fade upper rail, buy HVL bounces
Layer 2: Structure
- C1 = 6010 ★★★ (strongest)
- P1 = 5950 ★★★
- cT = 5985 (only 5pt above spot)
- pT = 5945
- Ab1 = 6010 (overlaps C1 → strong confluence)
Layer 3: Positioning
- AbOI = 6000 → 10pt from C1 (merges into 6000-6010 zone)
- COI = 6010 (perfectly overlaps C1 → very high gold content)
- POI = 5950 (perfectly overlaps P1)
Layer 4: Flow
- CV = 6010 (overlaps C1 → today's Call flow heating at 6010)
- PV = 5950 (overlaps P1)
- Heat Trail bouncing 5990-6010 last 30 min
- D+ extreme = 6010
Confluence summary
| Price | Hit layers | Total | Stars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6010 | C1 + Ab1 + AbOI(near) + COI + CV + D+ + Heat | 6-7 | ★★★ purple zone |
| 5950 | P1 + POI + PV | 3 | ★★ orange |
| 5985 | cT + Ab2 + Heat(near) | 2 | ★ yellow |
| 5960 | HVL | 1 | gray |
Script generation (TacticalHUD auto)
PURPLE ★★★ 6010 heavy zone
Zone: upper-rail suppression
Scenario A: Touch 6010 rejection → fade to 5985-5960
Scenario B: Hold above 6010 for 5 min → switch short gamma alert
Momentum: Wait for momentum fade (radar < 30%)
ORANGE ★★ 5950
Zone: lower rail (moderate weight in Long universe)
Scenario: Touch 5950 fast drop → wait for absorption + bounce to HVL
YELLOW ★ 5985 cT
Zone: upper transition edge
Scenario: Break cT + 5 min no retreat → prepare 6010 testConfluence ≠ guaranteed reaction
Important: ★★★ Confluence zones are high-probability reaction zones, not reaction promises.
Macro shocks (CPI, FOMC, geopolitics), vol regime shifts (VIX spikes), and large-order impacts can punch through any Confluence level.
That's why scripts always include:
- Entry conditions (momentum confirmation)
- Invalidation conditions (when to admit wrong)
- Stop placement (the next confluence zone after this one fails)
Confluence raises win rate and R:R. It doesn't eliminate risk.
Veteran cheatsheet: Single vs multi-layer feel
| What you see | Layers | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Lone GEX Wall, no OI / Volume corroboration | 1 | Ignore, may be stale structure |
| C1 + moderate OI | 2 ★ | Note, watch momentum near price |
| C1 + COI + moderate Volume | 3 ★★ | Build scenarios, wait for momentum trigger |
| C1 + AbOI + COI + CV + Heat + D+ | 4+ ★★★ | Must defend, prepare scripts A/B/C |
Confluence is the "decision layer" of GEX
Recap the full learning path:
What is GEX → Misconceptions → 60s reading → Confluence decision
Foundation Toxin clear Perception DecisionYou've upgraded from "can read" to "can use."
What's left: map this mindset to specific Hermes components. Next chapter is the "feature ↔ knowledge" reverse lookup.
Chapter mantra: Four layers to act / Regime → Structure → Positioning → Flow / ★★★ must defend / Confluence gives high-probability, not certainty.