Gemini CLI Setup

Gemini CLI is Google's AI assistant. You can authenticate using your Google account, an API key, or Vertex AI.

Install and Configure

1. Install Gemini CLI:

npm install -g @google/gemini-cli

2. Find the installation path:

macOS/Linux

which gemini
# Example output: /usr/local/bin/gemini

Windows

where.exe gemini
# Example output: C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\npm\gemini.cmd

3. Open Settings → Agent Client and set the Gemini CLI path to the path found above.

4. Ensure Arguments contains --experimental-acp (this is set by default).

Authentication

Choose one of the following methods:

Option A: Google Account Login (OAuth)

If you have a Google account and prefer not to use an API key, you can log in directly.

1. Run Gemini CLI and choose "Login with Google":

gemini

2. Follow the browser authentication flow.

3. In Settings → Agent Client, leave the API key field empty.

TIP

If you have a Gemini Code Assist License from your organization, add GOOGLE_CLOUD_PROJECT=YOUR_PROJECT_ID in the Environment variables field.

Option B: Gemini API Key

If you prefer to use an API key for authentication:

1. Get your API key from Google AI Studio
2. Enter the API key in Settings → Agent Client → Gemini CLI → API key

Option C: Vertex AI

If you are using Vertex AI for enterprise workloads:

1. In Settings → Agent Client → Gemini CLI → Environment variables, add:

GOOGLE_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY
GOOGLE_GENAI_USE_VERTEXAI=true

2. Leave the API key field empty (use Environment variables instead).

TIP

Gemini CLI natively supports ACP, so no additional adapter is required.

Verify Setup

1. Click the robot icon in the ribbon or use the command palette: "Open agent chat"
2. Switch to Gemini CLI from the agent dropdown in the chat header
3. Try sending a message to verify the connection

Having issues? See Troubleshooting.