Hey guys, AI usage is getting closer to us every day. Not only in the form of chat and voice, but now there’s also a CLI version where we can share our computer’s resources for more precise AI results.
A quick flashback: a few weeks ago, Google introduced Gemini Pro, which is smarter and faster than the previous generation. The Gemini AI ecosystem has now expanded with the introduction of a CLI (Command Line Interface) tool, which allows for closer integration with the user’s device.
Since the AI can communicate with our computers or laptops, we can ‘ask’ it to perform local tasks such as organizing folders or developing a program locally.
Yes, installing it is quite easy. You just need Node.js on your device and then install Gemini CLI right away.
How to Install Gemini CLI
First, install Node.js on your device. It supports everything from Windows to Mac and Linux. For coding friends who are installing Node.js for the first time, we recommend using NVM to simplify future app development.
- Install Node.js from the official website (or use NVM for developers)
- Then open Command Prompt (or Terminal on MacOS & Linux) and run the following command:
npm install -g @google/gemini-cli - Once installed, run Gemini using the command:
geminiand press Enter - Follow the next instructions. Here you’ll set up a theme and log into your account—either using a Google account or your API Key. For simplicity, choose Google login.
- Once logged in, check your Command Prompt—you’ll see a chat box that’s ready to use.
And there you go, Gemini CLI is ready to use. But regular users (non-developers) might be wondering:
What’s the Difference Between Gemini CLI and Regular Gemini?
Since they look similar, why do we even need Gemini CLI, right? Simply put, Gemini CLI is a hybrid AI tool—it connects to Google’s Gemini server for the AI model and responses, and also connects to your local machine’s resources.
You can think of Gemini CLI as the middleman between your machine and the AI server, allowing them to work together—also known as an AI agent in CLI form.
For example, if you ask the AI to modify a file, you would normally have to upload it to their cloud for processing.
But with this CLI, you allow the AI to access the file directly, process it via the cloud, then make changes using local commands (like Windows commands) based on your request.
For developers, Gemini CLI can scan your local project directory, detect changes, explain code you may have forgotten, and even modify your files directly.
Since Gemini CLI is built on Node.js, integrating AI into apps could become easier, lighter, and more secure in the future—compared to self-hosting an AI model or just using an API endpoint.
Closing
Alright, that’s how to install Gemini CLI on your Windows device. Oh, and if you want to uninstall or remove Gemini CLI from Windows, just run this command:
npm uninstall -g @google/gemini-cliThat’s all—hope it’s useful, and thanks for stopping by!