gemini-cli

Gemini CLI Skill

Gemini CLI is an open-source AI agent that brings Gemini models directly into the terminal. It supports interactive REPL sessions, headless/non-interactive scripting, MCP servers, custom slash commands, and extension-based workflows.

Reference files (read when needed):

• references/commands.md — slash commands, built-in commands reference
• references/configuration.md — settings.json, GEMINI.md, environment variables
• references/mcp-and-extensions.md — MCP server setup, extensions authoring
• references/headless-and-scripting.md — non-interactive mode, automation, CI/CD patterns

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Installation

# Instant use, no install
npx @google/gemini-cli

# Global install (recommended)
npm install -g @google/gemini-cli

# macOS/Linux via Homebrew
brew install gemini-cli

# Specific channels
npm install -g @google/gemini-cli@latest    # stable (weekly Tuesdays)
npm install -g @google/gemini-cli@preview   # preview (weekly, less vetted)
npm install -g @google/gemini-cli@nightly   # nightly (daily builds)

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Authentication

Choose one method:

Option 1: Google OAuth (recommended for individuals)

gemini   # → choose "Login with Google" → browser flow

• Free: 60 req/min, 1,000 req/day
• No API key needed

Option 2: Gemini API Key

export GEMINI_API_KEY="your_key_here"
# Get key: https://aistudio.google.com/apikey
gemini

• Free: 1,000 req/day (Gemini Flash/Pro mix)
• Can also store in ~/.gemini/.env or ./.gemini/.env

Option 3: Application Default Credentials (ADC)

gcloud auth application-default login
gemini

• Uses Google Cloud ADC — no API key needed
• Best for developers already using Google Cloud

Option 4: Vertex AI (enterprise)

export GOOGLE_GENAI_USE_VERTEXAI=true
export GOOGLE_CLOUD_PROJECT="your-project-id"
gcloud auth application-default login
gemini

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Basic Usage

# Start interactive session in current directory
gemini

# Include extra directories as context
gemini --include-directories ../lib,../docs

# Use a specific model
gemini -m gemini-2.5-flash
gemini -m gemini-2.5-pro

# Non-interactive: single prompt, then exit
gemini -p "Explain the architecture of this codebase"

# Reference files in prompt with @ syntax
gemini -p "Review @./src/auth.py for security issues"

# Pipe stdin
cat error.log | gemini -p "What went wrong here?"
git diff --cached | gemini -p "Write a concise commit message"