gemini-cli

name	gemini-cli
description	Use when the user asks to run Gemini CLI, Google Gemini for code tasks, or references Gemini for analysis, code generation, or automated editing
metadata	{"author":"brunoqgalvao"}

Gemini CLI Skill Guide (v0.23.0+)

ALWAYS USE GEMINI 3

Default to Gemini 3 models for all tasks. These are the current generation with superior reasoning.

Model	When to Use
gemini-3-flash-preview	DEFAULT - Use for most tasks. Fast + smart.
gemini-3-pro-preview	Complex reasoning, architecture, 1M context tasks

Legacy Models (only if specifically requested)

Model	Notes
gemini-2.5-pro	Previous flagship
gemini-2.5-flash	High throughput

Gemini 3 Features

• thinking_level - Control reasoning depth (low, medium, high)
• media_resolution - Vision processing quality (low, medium, high, ultra_high)
• Thought Signatures - Maintains chain of reasoning across calls

Running a Task

1. Ask the user which model to run (default: gemini-3-flash-preview) AND which approval mode (default, auto_edit, yolo) in a single prompt.
2. Select approval mode based on task:
   • default - Prompt for approval on each action
   • auto_edit - Auto-approve file edits only
   • yolo - Auto-approve all actions (use with caution)
3. Assemble command with options:
   • -m, --model <MODEL> (e.g., -m gemini-2.5-pro)
   • --approval-mode <default|auto_edit|yolo>
   • -y, --yolo (shortcut for --approval-mode yolo)
   • -s, --sandbox (run in sandbox mode)
   • --include-directories <PATH> (add additional directories)
   • -r, --resume <latest|INDEX> (resume previous session)
   • -o, --output-format <text|json|stream-json> (output format)
4. Non-interactive one-shot: gemini "your prompt here" (positional argument)
5. Interactive after prompt: gemini -i "initial prompt"
6. Resume syntax: gemini -r latest or gemini -r 5
7. After completion: Inform user they can resume with gemini -r latest.

Note: The -p/--prompt flag is deprecated. Use positional arguments instead.

Quick Reference

Use case	Approval mode	Command
Read-only review	default	gemini -m gemini-3-flash-preview "prompt"
Complex reasoning	default	gemini -m gemini-3-pro-preview "prompt"
Auto file edits	auto_edit	gemini -m gemini-3-flash-preview --approval-mode auto_edit "prompt"
Full auto (YOLO)	yolo	gemini -m gemini-3-flash-preview -y "prompt"
Sandboxed	default	gemini -m gemini-3-flash-preview -s "prompt"
With extra dirs	Match task	gemini -m gemini-3-flash-preview --include-directories /path/to/other "prompt"
Resume latest	Inherited	gemini -r latest
Resume specific	Inherited	gemini -r 5
Interactive mode	Match task	gemini -i "start with this prompt"
JSON output	Match task	gemini -m gemini-3-flash-preview -o json "prompt"
Stream JSON	Match task	gemini -m gemini-3-flash-preview -o stream-json "prompt"

Session Management

Command	Description
gemini --list-sessions	List available sessions
gemini -r latest	Resume most recent session
gemini -r <INDEX>	Resume session by index
gemini --delete-session <INDEX>	Delete a session

MCP & Extensions

Command	Description
gemini mcp	Manage MCP servers
gemini -l / --list-extensions	List available extensions
gemini -e ext1 ext2	Use specific extensions only
--allowed-mcp-server-names	Specify allowed MCP servers
--allowed-tools	Tools that run without confirmation

Built-in Tools

Gemini CLI has these tools enabled by default:

• File operations: Read/write files in working directory
• Shell commands: Execute terminal commands
• Web fetch: Retrieve web content
• Google Search: Grounded search for current information

Project Context

Create GEMINI.md in project root for project-specific instructions (similar to CLAUDE.md).

Following Up

• After every gemini command, confirm next steps or offer to resume.
• Resume preserves original model and approval mode.
• Restate configuration when proposing follow-up actions.

Error Handling

• Stop and report failures on non-zero exit; request direction before retry.
• Ask permission before using -y/--yolo mode.
• Summarize warnings/partial results and ask how to proceed.
• Check authentication if getting 401/403 errors.
• For quota issues, suggest switching auth methods or waiting.

Key Differences from Codex

Feature	Gemini CLI	Codex CLI
One-shot syntax	gemini "prompt"	codex exec "prompt"
Auto mode	-y or --approval-mode yolo	--full-auto
Sandbox	-s	--sandbox <mode>
Resume	-r latest	resume --last
Interactive	-i "prompt"	Default interactive
Output format	-o json/stream-json	N/A

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Source: brunoqgalvao/navi — distributed by TomeVault.