Agentic AI Gemini CLI
Google has released a powerful new tool aimed squarely at developers and it runs right from the terminal. Meet Gemini CLI, an open-source command-line interface powered by Google’s Gemini AI models. It’s designed to bring conversational AI into the heart of the developer workflow, with offline support, scriptable agents, and full extensibility.
Instead of flashy web apps, Gemini CLI lives in the console, making it ideal for engineers, sysadmins, and coders who prefer working in shell environments like Bash, Zsh, or Fish. And unlike many other AI tools, it’s open-source and customizable, inviting developers to build their own agents and plugins on top of it.
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Gemini CLI is essentially a conversational assistant that runs directly in your terminal. It can answer technical questions, generate code, suggest shell commands, and even interact with local files, but only with your permission. Think of it as ChatGPT meets your bash shell.
The tool supports two modes of operation:
This hybrid model makes Gemini CLI unique. Developers can get the convenience of AI help without compromising privacy or performance, especially when working in secure or air-gapped environments.
Another standout feature is its YAML-based agent scripting. You can write reusable agent workflows, for example, one to automate deployment steps, another to refactor code, or even one that handles Git branching strategies. It’s not just reactive AI; it’s programmable.
With Gemini CLI, Google is making a clear pitch to hands-on developers. It’s not just another AI chatbot. It’s a tool you can shape, embed, and extend.
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Already, early users are building plugins and integrations, from Docker helpers to Python project generators. The open-source nature of the project allows teams to create domain-specific agents tailored to their workflows.
In doing so, Google is staking a claim in the growing space of local-first, developer-centric AI tools. While GitHub’s Copilot CLI and Replit’s Ghostwriter CLI offer similar experiences, Gemini CLI stands out for its open license, offline capabilities, and ease of customization.
It also fits a broader trend: AI agents are becoming less about chat, and more about action. Whether it’s editing files, executing commands, or automating repetitive tasks, Gemini CLI positions AI as a hands-on teammate, not just a source of answers.
Getting started is simple. Gemini CLI is available on GitHub and supports Mac, Linux, and Windows. You can run it offline with minimal setup or connect it to the Gemini API using your API key.
Once installed, you can begin chatting with the agent, writing custom workflows, or building plugins. Google’s documentation also includes examples for scripting agents, file interactions, and secure usage best practices.
Gemini CLI may not have the flashiest interface but that’s the point. It’s for developers who want control, speed, and flexibility. By releasing it as open source and making it both local and cloud-compatible, Google has created a tool that respects developer autonomy while offering the power of Gemini AI. In a world moving toward embedded, agentic AI, Gemini CLI is more than just a tool, it’s a sign of what’s next.
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