Gemini 1-Minute Quick Setup
This page is for those who have never used a terminal before. All you need to do: ① Download an app ② Copy and paste your Key ③ Click “Activate”.
Follow along and you’ll have Gemini running in 1 minute.
What You Need to Prepare
A Windows or Mac Computer
Windows 10/11 or macOS will work.
A CC Club API Key
If you don’t have one yet, go to Get API Key to apply for free (come back to this page after you get it).
The API Key looks like cr_xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. Copy it to a notepad first, you’ll need it shortly.
Step 1: Download and Install CC Switch
CC Switch is a desktop application that helps you manage API configurations — just copy and paste, no technical knowledge required.
- Click to download: CC Switch Windows Version (.msi, 12 MB)
- Double-click the downloaded installer and follow the prompts to complete installation
- After installation, open CC Switch from the Start menu
If Windows shows “Windows protected your PC” on first launch, click “More info” → “Run anyway”.
Step 2: Fill in Configuration in CC Switch
After opening CC Switch, follow these steps:
Switch to Gemini Group
On the left side of CC Switch, you’ll see groups: Claude / Claude Desktop / Codex / OpenCode / Gemini. Click Gemini.
Click ”+ Add Provider”
The blue button in the upper right corner. A form will pop up.
Only Two Fields Need to Be Filled
| Field | What to Fill |
|---|---|
| Provider Name | Any name you like, e.g., CC Club Gemini |
| API | Paste your CC Club API Key here |
| Request URL | https://claude-code.club/gemini |
Leave all other fields (Config JSON, Model Region, etc.) blank — Gemini uses the simplest mode and only needs the Key and Request URL to work.
↑ After filling, it should look like this: API Key line shows dots + Request URL is https://claude-code.club/gemini
Why is Gemini simpler than Claude/Codex? Gemini CLI only reads two values by default: API Key and Base URL. CC Switch fills these two and activates them, and you’re ready to go — no additional JSON/TOML configuration blocks needed.
Click “Save” in the Bottom Right
Upon success, you’ll return to the list and see a new CC Club Gemini provider.
Step 3: Test, Enable, and Verify
The saved provider is not active yet. This step has three actions: first test the configuration (confirm Key + URL are correct) → then enable (make it active) → finally verify in the terminal (run end-to-end once).
✅ Full Process Preview (take a quick look, detailed steps below)
Click Test (blue button) on the CC Club Gemini row
See green Test Successful notification
Click Enable (green button), a ✓ appears at the beginning of the row when active
$ geminiRun gemini in terminal, first time choose 2. Use Gemini API Key, enter interactive interface — you’re done
Run gemini in terminal, enter interactive interface — connection established
📌 Images ①②③ are from Claude configuration example (same CC Switch interface), Gemini operations are in the exact same locations
First Click “Test” to Verify Configuration
On the CC Club Gemini provider row you just saved, click the blue Test button (as shown in image ① above). CC Switch will send a handshake request to the upstream using your Key + Request URL.
- ✅ See green “Test Successful” notification (image ②): Key and URL are correct, proceed to next step
- ❌ See red error: Usually means wrong Key / wrong URL / network issue. Click Edit to check API Key and Request URL. The most common issue is extra spaces at the beginning or end of the Key
Why test first? Testing only verifies “CC Switch can connect to the API”, doesn’t require Gemini CLI itself. Get this step working first, then installing the command line will be smooth.
Click “Enable” to Activate This Configuration
After the test passes, click the green Enable button on the same row (image ③). After successful activation:
- A ✓ checkmark will appear at the beginning of the row
- Status changes from “Saved” to “Currently Active”
Save ≠ Enable ≠ Test, three separate actions:
- Save = Write this configuration into CC Switch
- Test = Check if this configuration can connect
- Enable = Make Gemini CLI actually use this configuration
If you don’t click “Enable”, even if the test passes, it won’t take effect.
Install Gemini CLI Itself
CC Switch only manages “configuration”, not “installation”. You still need to install Gemini CLI itself — Find the “Install Gemini CLI” button at the top of CC Switch, click it, and it will automatically install for you.
(If you can’t find the button or the button errors, follow the Manual Installation Steps.)
Verify in Terminal
geminiOn first run, it will ask for authentication method, choose 2. Use Gemini API Key. It will automatically read the Key and URL written by CC Switch, and after a few seconds you’ll enter the interactive interface (as shown in image ④ above). The entire connection is established 🎉.
What’s Next?
It’s working now. Recommended next steps:
- See Gemini Detailed Installation and Configuration for advanced usage
- See FAQ to avoid common pitfalls
Having Issues?
Issue 1: Terminal shows “command not found” when typing gemini
This means Gemini CLI itself is not installed. Two solutions:
- Retry CC Switch’s “Install Gemini CLI” button: The previous attempt may have been interrupted by network issues
- Switch to manual installation: Follow the Manual Installation Steps (below)
Issue 2: Gemini startup reports “Authentication failed” or repeatedly asks for login
If the provider in CC Switch is already activated (has ✓ in front) but Gemini still cannot authenticate, it’s likely because environment variables were not automatically injected. Set them manually:
Open PowerShell, copy the following two lines, replace cr_xxxxxxxxxx with your API Key, and press Enter:
[System.Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable('GEMINI_API_KEY', 'cr_xxxxxxxxxx', 'User')
[System.Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable('GOOGLE_GEMINI_BASE_URL', 'https://claude-code.club/gemini', 'User')After setting, restart PowerShell for new processes to read the values.
After setting, run gemini again.
Issue 3: Very slow response / keeps spinning
May be due to unsuitable network node. Go back to CC Switch, edit that provider, change Request URL to one of the following and save:
https://jp.claude-code.club/gemini— Japan node (optimized for China)https://hk.claude-code.club/gemini— Hong Kong node (optimized for China)https://sz.ai-code.club/gemini— Shenzhen node (domestic relay)
After changing, don’t forget to click activate again.
Manual Installation of Gemini CLI (Backup Solution)
If there’s no “Install Gemini CLI” button in CC Switch, or it errors when clicked, install manually.
Requires Node.js (v18+) first:
npm install -g @google/gemini-cliAfter installation, return to this page and continue with “Step 3”.
Already Experienced?
If you’re comfortable with the terminal and want full control over the installation process, go directly to the traditional path:
