| 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
- Ask the user which model to run (default:
gemini-3-flash-preview) AND which approval mode (default, auto_edit, yolo) in a single prompt.
- Select approval mode based on task:
default - Prompt for approval on each actionauto_edit - Auto-approve file edits onlyyolo - Auto-approve all actions (use with caution)
- 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)
- Non-interactive one-shot:
gemini "your prompt here" (positional argument)
- Interactive after prompt:
gemini -i "initial prompt"
- Resume syntax:
gemini -r latest or gemini -r 5
- 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 |
Source: brunoqgalvao/navi — distributed by TomeVault.
