Gemini CLI Docs Guide
Query Gemini CLI source code and official documentation for accurate, up-to-date information.
When to Use
When the user asks about or the conversation involves:
- Gemini CLI setup, configuration, or commands
- Gemini CLI model selection, routing, or steering
- Gemini CLI sandbox, approval modes, policy engine
- GEMINI.md, skills, hooks, extensions
- Gemini CLI headless mode, ACP, automation
- Any Google Gemini CLI product or feature
Strategy: Source Code First, Docs Second
Primary source: google-gemini/gemini-cli GitHub repo.
Secondary source: WebFetch from https://geminicli.com/docs/ — for conceptual guides and tutorials.
Execution Steps (IMPORTANT!)
You MUST query the source — never answer from memory!
Step 1: Determine query type and choose method
| Query Type | Method | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Config options, settings | Repo: docs/reference/configuration.md | "What settings can I configure?" |
| CLI flags, options | Repo: docs/cli/cli-reference.md | "What flags does gemini accept?" |
| Model routing, steering | Repo: docs/cli/model-routing.md | "How to route models?" |
| Policy engine | Repo: docs/reference/policy-engine.md | "How does policy engine work?" |
| Skills, hooks | Repo: docs/cli/skills.md, hooks/ | "How to create skills?" |
| Extensions, MCP | Repo: docs/extensions/ | "How to add MCP servers?" |
| Conceptual guides | WebFetch docs site | "How does sandboxing work?" |
Step 2a: Query GitHub Repo (primary)
Search for keywords across the repo:
gh search code "keyword" --repo google-gemini/gemini-cli --limit 20
Read specific key files via raw URL:
# CLI reference (flags, arguments)
curl -sL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/main/docs/cli/cli-reference.md
# Configuration reference
curl -sL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/main/docs/reference/configuration.md
# Model routing
curl -sL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/main/docs/cli/model-routing.md
# Skills
curl -sL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/main/docs/cli/skills.md
# Policy engine
curl -sL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/main/docs/reference/policy-engine.md
# List all docs
gh api repos/google-gemini/gemini-cli/contents/docs/cli -q '.[].name'
gh api repos/google-gemini/gemini-cli/contents/docs/reference -q '.[].name'
IMPORTANT: Always use
curl -sLwith raw.githubusercontent.com for reading files. Do NOT usegh api contents -q '.content' | base64 -d— it fails for files > 100KB.
Key docs in google-gemini/gemini-cli repo:
| File | Contains |
|---|---|
docs/cli/cli-reference.md |
CLI flags, arguments |
docs/reference/configuration.md |
All config options |
docs/reference/commands.md |
Slash commands reference |
docs/reference/keyboard-shortcuts.md |
Keyboard shortcuts |
docs/reference/tools.md |
Available tools |
docs/reference/policy-engine.md |
Policy engine rules |
docs/cli/model.md |
Model selection |
docs/cli/model-routing.md |
Model routing |
docs/cli/model-steering.md |
Model steering |
docs/cli/sandbox.md |
Sandbox modes |
docs/cli/skills.md |
Skills system |
docs/cli/creating-skills.md |
How to create skills |
docs/cli/custom-commands.md |
Custom slash commands |
docs/cli/gemini-md.md |
GEMINI.md instructions file |
docs/cli/headless.md |
Non-interactive mode |
docs/cli/plan-mode.md |
Plan mode |
docs/cli/settings.md |
Settings UI |
docs/cli/session-management.md |
Session management |
docs/cli/checkpointing.md |
Checkpointing |
docs/cli/rewind.md |
Rewind feature |
docs/cli/acp-mode.md |
Agent Communication Protocol |
docs/cli/gemini-ignore.md |
.geminiignore file |
docs/cli/trusted-folders.md |
Trusted folders |
docs/extensions/ |
Extension system |
docs/hooks/ |
Hooks system |
Step 2b: Query Docs Site (secondary)
Prepend https://geminicli.com to paths:
| Topic | URL Path |
|---|---|
| Overview | /docs/ |
| Get started | /docs/get-started/ |
| CLI reference | /docs/cli/cli-reference |
| Configuration | /docs/reference/configuration |
| Commands | /docs/reference/commands |
| Model routing | /docs/cli/model-routing |
| Skills | /docs/cli/skills |
| Hooks | /docs/hooks/ |
| Extensions | /docs/extensions/ |
| Sandbox | /docs/cli/sandbox |
| Policy engine | /docs/reference/policy-engine |
| Headless mode | /docs/cli/headless |
WebFetch("https://geminicli.com/docs/cli/cli-reference", "Extract documentation about...")
Step 3: Parse and respond
Extract relevant information and answer the user directly.
Quick Reference
Installation
npm install -g @google/gemini-cli # npm
Package
@google/gemini-cli — GitHub: google-gemini/gemini-cli
Config file
GEMINI.md — project-level instructions (like Claude's CLAUDE.md)
Key CLI flags
| Flag | Purpose |
|---|---|
-m, --model |
Override model |
-p, --prompt |
Non-interactive (headless) mode |
-i, --prompt-interactive |
Execute prompt then continue interactive |
-s, --sandbox |
Enable sandbox |
-y, --yolo |
Auto-approve all actions |
--approval-mode |
default / auto_edit / yolo / plan |
--policy |
Additional policy files |
-e, --extensions |
Specify extensions |
--acp |
Agent Communication Protocol mode |
Key paths
| Path | Purpose |
|---|---|
GEMINI.md |
Project instructions |
.gemini/settings.json |
Project settings |
~/.gemini/settings.json |
Global settings |
.gemini/skills/ |
Project skills |
.geminiignore |
Ignore file |
Fallback
If topic is not covered above:
gh search code "topic" --repo google-gemini/gemini-cli- WebSearch for
site:geminicli.com <topic> - WebFetch
https://geminicli.com/docs/for the main index
Important Reminders
- Source code is authoritative for valid values, schemas, and types
- Docs site is authoritative for guides, tutorials, and conceptual explanations
- Config uses
GEMINI.md(Markdown) andsettings.json— different from Claude Code - Gemini CLI uses extensions (not plugins) and has a policy engine (not hooks for permissions)
Source: PsychQuant/psychquant-claude-plugins — distributed by TomeVault.