Gemini CLI (Command Line Interface) Overviewv

I’m selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can’t handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don’t deserve me at my best, Marilyn Monroe.

You’ve gotta dance like there’s nobody watching, love like you’ll never be hurt, sing like there’s nobody listening, and live like it’s heaven on earth, William W. Purkey.

The Gemini CLI (Command Line Interface) is an open-source AI agent developed by Google. It enables direct integration of Gemini’s capabilities into the terminal, allowing users to leverage advanced AI functionalities via command-line interactions. This tool is particularly useful for developers and power users who prefer working in a terminal environment.

Key features of the Gemini CLI include:

• Code understanding and manipulation: It can work with large codebases, fix bugs, write and test code, and generate new applications from PDFs or sketches.
• Automation of DevOps tasks.
• Extensibility: It supports the Model Context Protocol (MCP), which allows you to add new tools and capabilities by connecting to external servers.
• Built-in tools: It comes with integrated tools like Google Search, file read/write, and a terminal.
• Free access: You can use Gemini 2.5 Pro for free with a personal Google account, with limits of up to 60 requests per minute and 1,000 requests per day.
• Sandbox Limitations: No isolation for shell commands, so cautious use is advised.

Installation

1. Download the Node.js installer from the official website (nodejs.org), install and follow the on-screen instructions.

   Make sure to check the box that says “Add to PATH” during the installation process, this allows you to use Node.js and npm from any command line

2. Type node -v and npm -v (npm is Node Package Manager) to check the installed versions. If the commands return version numbers, Node.js and npm are installed correctly.

3. Install Gemini CLI. Open a new command prompt or PowerShell window, and run the following command.

   # It will install the Gemini CLI globally on your system.
   npm install -g @google/gemini-cli
   # After installation, you can verify that the CLI is correctly installed by checking its version or help documentation:
   gemini --version
   gemini --help
   # The pace at which fixes and features are being rolled out is unprecedented. So if you already have Gemini CLI setup, do remember to upgrade it:
   npm upgrade -g @google/gemini-cli
   changed 1 package in 5s
   # It successfully upgraded the Gemini command-line tool globally.
   140 packages are looking for funding
   run `npm fund` for details
   

   This message appears routinely after npm operations and indicates that some of your globally installed npm packages are open source and offer voluntary funding/donation options. It does not affect functionality.

   Ensure the Add to PATH checkbox is selected during installation to enable access to Node.js and npm from any terminal location.

4. After installation, run the command gemini to start the CLI.

5. Upon launch, select a theme (e.g., Drakula Dark) and a login method (e.g., Login with Google), then a browser window will open. Simply log in with your Google account.

What You Can Do with Google Gemini CLI

1. Generate Documentation. cd Documents\myPython, gemini, and type:

   Generate/Update a/the README.txt file to document your project. This file should include: Project overview and purpose: A brief description of what the project aims to achieve; Python Scripts and environment files: List all Python scripts and environment configuration files used in the project; Functionality description: Document any dependencies required for the project and provide clear setup instructions.
Ensure all Python files and dependencies are organized (requirements.txt), and my Python environment is properly configured.

2. Code Assistance: Understand, refactor, debug, and generate code using natural language.

   # Ensure that your Python environment is properly configured.
   # It is recommended to use a virtual environment to manage dependencies.
   python3 -m venv venv
   source venv/bin/activate # On Windows: .\venv\Scripts\activate
   # Install any required Python packages using `pip`.
   pip install -r requirements.txt
   

3. In case you have a need to simply prompt the Gemini CLI and not launch it and go back and forth, try the -p or the --prompt option:

    gemini -p "What is the curl command to know the weather in Malaga"
    To get the weather in Malaga, you can use the following command:
    curl wttr.in/Malaga
   

4. The Gemini CLI provides a range of commands for interaction and customization:

• google-search <query>: access real-time information from the web using Google Search, e.g, google-search “google gemini cli”
• ./help: display help documentation and usage instructions for the CLI.
• clear: clear the terminal screen and reset conversation history for a fresh session.
• /theme: modify the CLI’s visual theme to personalize the terminal interface, e.g. /theme Dracula.
• /quit: quit Google Gemini CLI.
• /stats: current session statistics (tokens, duration).
• !: Shell or passthrough command. It allows you to interact with your system’s shell directly from within Gemini CLI, e.g., ! dir (Windows), ! ls (GNU/Linux).
• Use @ to reference files/folders for context.

Additional Notes

• The CLI is designed for developers and users who prefer terminal-based workflows with AI integration.
• Regularly update the CLI and dependencies to ensure compatibility with the latest Gemini features.
• For advanced use cases, explore the full list of commands and configuration options in the official documentation.