{"id":4376,"date":"2026-02-06T06:26:05","date_gmt":"2026-02-06T06:26:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.devopssupport.in\/blog\/?p=4376"},"modified":"2026-02-06T06:26:06","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T06:26:06","slug":"how-to-install-and-use-the-gemini-cli-and-implement-it-in-vs-code","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.devopssupport.in\/blog\/how-to-install-and-use-the-gemini-cli-and-implement-it-in-vs-code\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Install and Use the Gemini CLI (and Implement It in VS Code)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>If you spend a lot of time in the terminal, the <strong>Gemini CLI<\/strong> can save you a ton of effort. It lets you talk to Gemini directly from your command line\u2014perfect for quick coding help, explanations, refactoring suggestions, and even multi-step tasks. Google describes it as an open-source AI agent for terminal workflows. (<a href=\"https:\/\/docs.cloud.google.com\/gemini\/docs\/codeassist\/gemini-cli?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Google Cloud Documentation<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Below is a simple, step-by-step guide to <strong>install<\/strong>, <strong>use<\/strong>, and <strong>connect Gemini CLI with VS Code<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is Gemini CLI?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Gemini CLI<\/strong> is a command-line tool that brings Gemini into your terminal. It supports interactive usage and is designed to help you with tasks like debugging, improving test coverage, creating features, and more. (<a href=\"https:\/\/docs.cloud.google.com\/gemini\/docs\/codeassist\/gemini-cli?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Google Cloud Documentation<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Prerequisites<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before installing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Node.js installed<\/strong> (you already have Node on your PC)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>npm available<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Check with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>node -v\nnpm -v\n<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 1: Install Gemini CLI<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Install globally using npm:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>npm install -g @google\/gemini-cli\n<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p>Then start it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>gemini\n<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the standard installation method mentioned in the official docs. (<a href=\"https:\/\/geminicli.com\/docs\/get-started\/installation\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Gemini CLI<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 2: Authenticate (Login)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When you run:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>gemini\n<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p>it will typically prompt you to <strong>Login with Google<\/strong> (browser-based OAuth flow). (<a href=\"https:\/\/github.com\/google-gemini\/gemini-cli?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">GitHub<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After login, you can start using it normally from the terminal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Step 3: Basic Usage (Daily Commands)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ask a question<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>gemini \"Explain JWT in simple words with an example\"\n<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Generate code<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>gemini \"Write an Express.js API with a \/health route\"\n<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Improve code quality<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>gemini \"Suggest performance improvements for a Node.js API\"\n<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p>You can also explore built-in CLI commands inside the tool (Gemini CLI includes session\/behavior commands). (<a href=\"https:\/\/github.com\/google-gemini\/gemini-cli\/blob\/main\/docs\/cli\/commands.md?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">GitHub<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Implement Gemini CLI in VS Code (Proper Integration)<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>You have two good ways to use Gemini CLI in VS Code:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Option A: Use Gemini CLI inside VS Code Terminal (Simplest)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Open <strong>VS Code<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Open your project folder<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Open terminal: <strong>Terminal \u2192 New Terminal<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Run:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>gemini\n<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p>Now your AI workflow stays inside the VS Code terminal while you code.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Option B: Enable the Official VS Code Integration (Best Experience)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Gemini CLI supports <strong>deep VS Code integration<\/strong> like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>workspace + file context awareness<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>selection-aware prompts (ask about highlighted code)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>native <strong>diff view inside VS Code<\/strong> to review changes easily (<a href=\"https:\/\/developers.googleblog.com\/gemini-cli-vs-code-native-diffing-context-aware-workflows\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Google Developers Blog<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1) Start Gemini CLI in VS Code terminal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>gemini\n<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2) Install the VS Code companion extension from Gemini CLI<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Inside the Gemini CLI session, run:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>\/ide install\n<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3) Enable IDE integration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>\/ide enable\n<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4) Disable anytime<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>\/ide disable\n<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p>These commands are documented by Google\u2019s developer blog for Gemini CLI + VS Code integration. (<a href=\"https:\/\/developers.googleblog.com\/gemini-cli-vs-code-native-diffing-context-aware-workflows\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Google Developers Blog<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What You Can Do After VS Code Integration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1) Explain selected code<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Select code in VS Code<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ask in Gemini CLI something like:<br>\u201cExplain this code and suggest improvements\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Gemini CLI can use selection\/workspace context when connected. (<a href=\"https:\/\/developers.googleblog.com\/gemini-cli-vs-code-native-diffing-context-aware-workflows\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Google Developers Blog<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2) Review changes in VS Code Diff Editor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When Gemini proposes changes, VS Code can open a diff editor to review and accept\/reject edits\u2014much easier than reading terminal output. (<a href=\"https:\/\/developers.googleblog.com\/gemini-cli-vs-code-native-diffing-context-aware-workflows\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Google Developers Blog<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3) Run Gemini CLI from VS Code Command Palette<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>After installing the extension, VS Code can expose commands like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Gemini CLI: Run<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Gemini CLI: Accept Diff<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Gemini CLI: Close Diff Editor<\/strong> (<a href=\"https:\/\/geminicli.com\/docs\/ide-integration\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Gemini CLI<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Quick Troubleshooting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u201cgemini is not recognized\u201d on Windows<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Try:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Close VS Code and CMD completely<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reopen<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Check global npm path is working:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>where gemini\n<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Auth issues<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Just run again:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>gemini\n<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p>and complete the browser login flow. (<a href=\"https:\/\/github.com\/google-gemini\/gemini-cli\/blob\/main\/docs\/get-started\/authentication.md?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">GitHub<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Final Notes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want <strong>fast terminal help<\/strong>, Gemini CLI alone is enough.<br>If you want a smoother dev workflow with <strong>selection context + diff editor inside VS Code<\/strong>, enable the IDE integration using <code>\/ide install<\/code> and <code>\/ide enable<\/code>. (<a href=\"https:\/\/developers.googleblog.com\/gemini-cli-vs-code-native-diffing-context-aware-workflows\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Google Developers Blog<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you tell me your OS (Windows yes) and your preferred setup (<strong>CLI only<\/strong> vs <strong>VS Code integration<\/strong>), I can rewrite this blog in your exact website style (long-form, more sections, table, etc.).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you spend a lot of time in the terminal, the Gemini CLI can save you a ton of effort. It lets you talk to Gemini directly&#8230; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[3882,3891,3885,3889,3896,1504,3894,3890,3883,2597,2587,1946,3880,3879,3881,3893,3887,3886,3892,736,3884,3895,1057,3888],"class_list":["post-4376","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-ai-cli-tool","tag-ai-coding-assistant","tag-ai-for-developers","tag-ai-in-vs-code","tag-ai-tools-for-coding","tag-backend-development","tag-cli-automation","tag-coding-productivity","tag-command-line-ai","tag-developer-productivity","tag-developer-tools","tag-devops-tools","tag-gemini-ai","tag-gemini-cli","tag-google-gemini","tag-javascript-development","tag-node-js-tools","tag-npm-global-packages","tag-programming-tools","tag-software-development","tag-terminal-ai","tag-terminal-workflow","tag-visual-studio-code","tag-vs-code-integration"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devopssupport.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4376","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devopssupport.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devopssupport.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devopssupport.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devopssupport.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4376"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.devopssupport.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4376\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4377,"href":"https:\/\/www.devopssupport.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4376\/revisions\/4377"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devopssupport.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4376"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devopssupport.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4376"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devopssupport.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4376"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}