How to Install and Use Gemini CLI on Ubuntu Linux

This guide shows you how to install and use Gemini CLI on Ubuntu Linux, Google's open-source AI agent that brings the Gemini language model directly to your terminal for AI-assisted coding, debugging, documentation, and task automation. Gemini CLI reasons through requests, picks the right tools, and executes multi-step plans, all while respecting your .gitignore and requiring approval before modifying files or running shell commands. For teams deciding between AI coding assistants, see our comparison of Claude Code vs Cursor and our guide to installing Claude Code on Ubuntu.

Quick Overview - Install and Use Gemini CLI on Ubuntu Linux

Gemini CLI is Google's open-source AI agent that runs in your terminal, giving you code generation, debugging, and automation directly from the command line. To get it running on Ubuntu 24.04, you'll install Node.js 20 LTS, install the google/gemini-cli package globally via npm, then authenticate with your Google account through an OAuth flow. Once set up, you can use it to scaffold projects (like Python or Next.js apps), debug code, and store persistent context using a GEMINI.md file so the AI remembers your facts, rules, and personas across sessions.   Read the rest of this guide for the full step-by-step instructions.

Prerequisites

Before you begin:

• Deploy an Ubuntu 24.04 server. (see our guide on choosing the right VPS plan if you're unsure what resources you need)
  • Running Gemini CLI on a VPS enables persistent, remote development with active context, memory, and authentication accessible from any device via internet. If you don't have a server yet, SSD Nodes offers the most affordable Linux VPS hosting in the market with lifetime price locks, 24/7 support, and a 14-day money-back guarantee. Plans start at $5.50/month and include 1-Click Apps for instant Ubuntu deployment. Spin one up, try it, and get a full refund if it's not the right fit.
• SSH to your Ubuntu server using PuTTY for Windows or OpenSSH for Linux and macOS.
• Create a non-root user with sudo privileges to run the commands in this guide.
• Prepare a Google account.

Install Node.js and npm

Gemini CLI is distributed through npm, the Node Package Manager, and requires Node.js version 20 or higher to run. Ubuntu 24.04's default repositories contain Node.js version 18, so you need to install Node.js 20 LTS or newer from an alternative source by following the steps below.

1. Update your system's package information index. For a deeper dive into apt and package management on Linux, see our package management guide.

   $ sudo apt update

2. Install the curl utility to download the NodeSource setup script.

   $ sudo apt install curl -y

3. Download and run the NodeSource setup script for Node.js 20 LTS.

   $ curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_20.x | sudo -E bash -

   This command adds the NodeSource repository to your system and updates the package index.
4. Install Node.js 20 LTS and npm.

   $ sudo apt install nodejs  -y 

5. Verify your Node.js installation by checking the version.

   $ node --version

   Output:

   v20.20.2

   The version number must be 20.0.0 or higher for Gemini CLI to function properly.
6. Update npm to the latest version.

   $ sudo npm install -g npm@latest

7. Check the npm version.

   $ npm --version

   Output:

   11.12.1

Install Gemini CLI

After installing Node.js, you can now install the Gemini CLI package globally on your system. The global installation makes the gemini command available from any directory in your terminal.

1. Install the @google/gemini-cli package globally using npm.

   $ sudo npm install -g @google/gemini-cli

   The -g flag installs the package globally, and sudo provides the necessary permissions for system-wide installation.
2. Verify the installation by checking the Gemini CLI version.

   $ gemini --version

   Output:

   0.37.1

   A version number confirms that you have successfully installed Gemini CLI .

Authenticate Gemini CLI with Google

Before using Gemini CLI, you must authenticate with Google to access the backend API. The free tier provides 60 requests per minute and 1,000 requests per day, which Google estimates covers twice the average usage for most developers.

1. Launch Gemini CLI to start the authentication process.

   $ gemini

   Output:

2. Choose option 1 when prompted about trusting files and press Enter to proceed.

   Do you trust the files in this folder?                                     │
   │                                                                            │
   │ Trusting a folder allows Gemini CLI to load its local configurations,      │
   │ including custom commands, hooks, MCP servers, agent skills, and settings. │
   │ These configurations could execute code on your behalf or change the       │
   │ behavior of the CLI.                                                       │
   │                                                                            │
   │                                                                            │
   │ ● 1. Trust folder (your_username)                                          │
   │   2. Trust parent folder (home)                                            │
   │   3. Don't trust  

3. Choose option 1 as the authentication method (Sign in with Google) and press Enter.

   ? Get started                                                                  │
   │                                                                              │
   │   How would you like to authenticate for this project?                       │
   │                                                                              │
   │   ● 1. Sign in with Google                                                   │
   │     2. Use Gemini API Key                                                    │
   │     3. Vertex AI       

4. Copy the displayed URL from the terminal and paste it in your browser. Then, in your browser log in with your Google account to authenticate Gemini CLI.

   https://accounts.google.com/o/oauth2/v2/auth?...

5. Copy the authorization code from the Google website and paste it in your Ubuntu terminal window. Then, press Enter

   Enter the authorization code: 4/kAsdfs25HnwUgEmg-J7JdsTITG7XuY3UyR7OJKVX9pK9A

   After authorization, your Ubuntu terminal displays a confirmation message, and the Gemini CLI saves an OAuth token locally for future sessions.
6. Type /exit and press Enter to close the Gemini CLI session.

   ...
    Shift+Tab to accept edits
   > /exit

Test Your Gemini CLI Installation

After authenticating Gemini CLI with your Google account, you'll run a simple prompt to ensure everything is working. This confirms that Gemini CLI communicates correctly with Google's AI service.

1. Start an interactive Gemini CLI session.

   $ gemini

2. Enter a test prompt, for instance What is the most popular linux distribution? and press Enter.

   > What is the most popular linux distribution?

   Gemini CLI processes your request and returns the following