Gemini CLI Setup

Gemini CLI is being discontinued

Google is retiring account login for Gemini CLI (Pro / Ultra / free tiers) on June 18, 2026. Google states Gemini CLI stays accessible via a paid Gemini API key. See Gemini CLI Discontinuation & Migration.

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

Install and Configure

Open a terminal (Terminal on macOS/Linux, PowerShell on Windows) and run the following commands.

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. The default command (gemini) works in many cases. If the agent is not found automatically, set the Gemini CLI path to the path found above, or click Auto-detect.

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.

WARNING

Account login is being discontinued for Pro / Ultra / free tiers on June 18, 2026. See Gemini CLI Discontinuation & Migration.

1. Run Gemini CLI in your terminal 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

If the key isn't picked up

If authentication still fails, set the key on the Gemini CLI side instead: run gemini in your terminal, type /auth, choose Use Gemini API Key, and paste your key (it's stored in your system keychain). Then leave the API key field empty in Agent Client.

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).

If it isn't picked up

If authentication still fails, configure Vertex AI on the Gemini CLI side instead: run gemini in your terminal, type /auth, and choose Vertex AI.

Verify Setup

1. Click the robot icon in the ribbon or use the command palette: "Open chat view"
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.