Bringing AI to Your Command Line: Hands-on with Gemini CLI
A hands-on workshop introducing Gemini CLI: Google's open-source AI tool for the terminal: covering installation, authentication, core features, and real-world usage patterns for developers who live in the command line.
Events
| Name | Organizer | Date | Location | Attendees | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DevFest Manila 2025 | GDG Manila | 2025-11-15 | Accenture People Hub, Taguig, Philippines | 218 | 📊 Slide Deck |
| DevFest Cebu 2025 | GDG Cebu | 2025-11-30 | Golden Peak Hotel, Cebu City, Philippines | 90 | 📊 Slide Deck |
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Abstract
For many developers, the terminal is home: a fast, portable, and efficient workspace that no GUI can fully replace. But as AI-powered coding assistants have exploded in popularity, command-line developers have largely been left out. Gemini CLI changes that.
This hands-on workshop introduces Gemini CLI: Google's open-source AI tool that brings the full power of Gemini directly directly into the terminal. It covers what Gemini CLI is, how it's architected (CLI Package, Core Package, and Tools), and why it's a practical fit for developers who prefer code over clicks. Attendees will go hands-on: installing the CLI, authenticating via Google authentication, and running through real tasks: querying and editing a codebase, automating operational workflows, connecting to MCP servers, and grounding queries with Google Search. The session concludes with best practices, a look at the public roadmap, and a codelab that lets every attendee leave with Gemini CLI running in a local environment.
Agenda
- Why terminal developers need their own AI tool
- What is Gemini CLI? Architecture overview: CLI, Core, and Tools packages
- Installation and authentication via Google account
- Lab 1: Querying and editing a codebase from the terminal
- Lab 2: Automating operational workflows
- Lab 3: Connecting Gemini CLI to MCP servers
- Lab 4: Grounding responses with Google Search
- Best practices and what's on the public roadmap
Key Takeaways
- Gemini CLI brings production-grade AI to the terminal without disrupting your existing workflow
- The three-package architecture makes Gemini CLI extensible and straightforward to contribute to
- MCP server integration lets Gemini CLI connect to any external tool or data source
- Google Search grounding keeps terminal AI responses accurate and up to date
- Open-source and Google account authentication makes it immediately accessible to any developer