How to Install Gemini CLI and Run First Tasks

Gemini CLI is Google’s free, open-source terminal AI agent. It runs Gemini 2.5 Pro with a one-million-token context window in your shell, and the free tier covers 1,000 model requests per day.

That free quota is the reason people try it. Two commands get you running, and you do not need a credit card.

How Do You Install Gemini CLI?

• Confirm Node.js 18 or newer with node --version
• Install globally: npm install -g @google/gemini-cli
• Run gemini in any project folder
• Pick a Google account sign-in to start the free tier

On first launch the CLI opens a browser for OAuth. Choose the free individual tier, not the paid API key option, unless you already bill through Google Cloud.

What Can Gemini CLI Do Out of the Box?

The agent reads and writes files, runs shell commands, and searches the web through Google Search grounding. It follows a ReAct loop: plan, act, look at the result, adjust. That is why it can chase a failing test across several attempts instead of answering once.

Is Gemini CLI Really Free?

Yes, up to 1,000 requests per day per account on the individual tier. No card required. Past that, requests stop until the next day, or you switch to a paid Gemini API key and pay per token.

One thousand requests sounds generous until you leave it running an agent loop. A stubborn refactor can burn fifty in an afternoon.

How Do You Keep an Agent From Wrecking Your Repo?

Changes are checkpointed, and you can roll back with the built-in restore command. Still, work on a branch. Run git status before you hand control over, and commit anything you care about.

The agent asks permission before running commands that modify your system, but it will happily edit files inside the project once you approve.

What Is It Bad At?

Long autonomous runs get expensive against the daily cap. And because it leans on Google Search grounding, answers about private code you have not shown it are guesses. Feed it the files.

Quick Summary

• Gemini CLI runs Gemini 2.5 Pro in your terminal for free.
• Install with npm install -g @google/gemini-cli and sign in with Google.
• 1,000 free requests per day; agent loops burn through them.
• File edits are checkpointed and reversible.
• Work on a branch and commit before you start.