Quick Start with Gemini CLI

Step 1: Start Your First Session

Open a terminal in any project directory and launch Gemini CLI:

cd /path/to/your/project
gemini

You will see the Gemini CLI welcome screen, which shows session information, recent conversations, and the latest updates. Type /help to see available commands, or /resume to continue a previous conversation.

Your credentials come from the API information configured in your environment variables.

Step 2: Ask Your First Question

Let’s start by understanding your codebase. Try these commands:

> what does this project do?

Gemini will analyze your files and provide a summary. You can also ask more specific questions:

> what technologies does this project use?

> where is the main entry point?

> explain the folder structure

You can also ask Gemini about its own capabilities:

> what can Gemini CLI do?

> how do I use slash commands in Gemini CLI?

> can Gemini CLI work with Docker?

Gemini CLI reads your files as needed — you do not need to manually add context. Gemini also has access to its own documentation and can answer questions about its features and capabilities.

Step 3: Make Your First Code Change

Now let Gemini CLI do some actual coding. Try a simple task:

> add a hello world function to the main file

Gemini CLI will:

Find the right file
Show you the suggested changes
Ask for your approval
Execute the edits

Gemini CLI always asks for permission before modifying files. You can approve individual changes, or enable “Accept all” mode for the session.

Step 4: Use Git with Gemini CLI

Gemini CLI makes Git operations conversational:

> what files have I changed?

> commit my changes with a descriptive message

You can also perform more complex Git operations:

> create a new branch called feature/quickstart

> show me the last 5 commits

> help me resolve merge conflicts

Step 5: Fix a Bug or Add a Feature

Gemini excels at debugging and feature implementation.

Describe what you want in natural language:

> add input validation to the user registration form

Or fix an existing issue:

> there's a bug where users can submit empty forms - fix it

Gemini CLI will:

Locate the relevant code
Understand the context
Implement the solution
Run tests if available

Step 6: Try Other Common Workflows

There are many ways to collaborate with Gemini:

Refactor code

> refactor the authentication module to use async/await instead of callbacks

Write tests

> write unit tests for the calculator functions

Update documentation

> update the README with installation instructions

Code review

> review my changes and suggest improvements

Remember: Gemini CLI is your AI pair programming partner. Interact with it like a helpful colleague — describe what you want to achieve, and it will help you get there.

Essential Commands

Here are the most important commands for everyday use:

Command	What it does	Example
`gemini`	Start interactive mode	`gemini`
`gemini "task"`	Run a one-off task	`gemini "fix the build error"`
`gemini -p "query"`	Run a one-off query then exit	`gemini -p "explain this function"`
`gemini -c`	Continue the most recent session	`gemini -c`
`gemini -r`	Resume a previous session	`gemini -r`
`gemini commit`	Create a Git commit	`gemini commit`
`/clear`	Clear conversation history	`> /clear`
`/help`	Show available commands	`> /help`
`exit` or Ctrl+C	Exit Gemini CLI	`> exit`

Tips for Beginners

Be Specific with Requests

Instead of: “fix the bug”

Say: “fix the login bug where users see a blank screen after entering wrong credentials”

Use Step-by-Step Instructions

Break complex tasks into steps:

> 1. create a new database table for user profiles

> 2. create an API endpoint to get and update user profiles

> 3. build a webpage that allows users to see and edit their information

Let Gemini Explore First

Let Gemini understand your code before making changes:

> analyze the database schema

> build a dashboard showing products that are most frequently returned by our UK customers

Use Shortcuts to Save Time

Use Tab for command completion
Press ↑ to scroll through command history
Type / to see all slash commands

Getting Help

Inside Gemini CLI: type /help or ask “how do I…”

Next Steps

Once you have mastered these basics, you can start exploring Gemini CLI’s applications in real-world development scenarios.

Common Features Guide Common Errors

Installation FAQ