Gemini CLI is a great open source command line tool that lets you use Google’s Gemini on your computer right in the terminal. You can install and use it on Windows, Mac, or Linux. It can help you with code development, file and project management, and AI-powered assistance. Why I like and use it is also not only because it is a very powerful tool, but also because of its cost – or in reality – no cost! For individuals, it has a 1000 requests per day limit, which is way too much for the average user (60 requests per minute). So, try it, see if you like it, and comment under the article. Now, let’s install it:
🛠 Prerequisites
- Node.js (v20 or higher) — this provides the runtime environment Gemini CLI needs.
- A working terminal.
🚀 Step 1 — Install Gemini CLI
npm install -g @google/gemini-cli
▶️ Step 2 — Launch Gemini CLI
In your command-line shell type:
gemini
🔑 Step 3 — Authenticate
You will need to log in with your Google account – that is how Google will track how many requests you make. But don’t worry, they are giving more than needed for an average user.
🧪 Step 4 — Try a Command!
Enter a prompt and wait for an answer. My question about why the sky is blue—it took 9 seconds to answer 🙂
About the Author
Deividas Strole is a Full-Stack Developer based in California, specializing in Java, Spring Boot, React, and AI-driven development. He writes about software engineering, modern full-stack development, and digital marketing strategies.
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