by google-gemini · google-gemini/gemini-cli
Gemini's official terminal agent — it does shell tasks autonomously and exposes that capability via MCP, so Claude can call Gemini for cross-model second opinions.
Gemini CLI is Google's terminal-native agent (Codex/Claude Code analog). Its MCP surface lets Claude delegate work to Gemini — useful for second opinions, large-context tasks, or model-comparison evaluations.
%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json{
"mcpServers": {
"gemini-cli-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@google/gemini-cli",
"mcp"
]
}
}
}Open Claude Desktop → Settings → Developer → Edit Config. Restart after saving.
{
"mcpServers": {
"gemini-cli-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@google/gemini-cli",
"mcp"
]
}
}
}Cursor uses the same mcpServers schema as Claude Desktop. Project config wins over global.
{
"mcpServers": {
"gemini-cli-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@google/gemini-cli",
"mcp"
]
}
}
}Click the MCP Servers icon in the Cline sidebar, then "Edit Configuration".
{
"mcpServers": {
"gemini-cli-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@google/gemini-cli",
"mcp"
]
}
}
}Same shape as Claude Desktop. Restart Windsurf to pick up changes.
{
"mcpServers": [
{
"name": "gemini-cli-mcp",
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@google/gemini-cli",
"mcp"
]
}
]
}Continue uses an array of server objects rather than a map.
{
"context_servers": {
"gemini-cli-mcp": {
"command": {
"path": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@google/gemini-cli",
"mcp"
]
}
}
}
}Add to context_servers. Zed hot-reloads on save.
claude mcp add gemini-cli-mcp -- npx -y @google/gemini-cli mcpOne-liner. Verify with claude mcp list. Remove with claude mcp remove.
When to use: You're about to ship something risky; want a fresh take from a different model.
Outcome: Two-model review without manual copy-paste.
Have Gemini draft a refactor plan, then Claude opens the PR via GitHub MCP
| Tool | Inputs | When to call | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| gemini.ask | (see docs) | Send a prompt to Gemini, get a response | 1 call |
| gemini.run_task | (see docs) | Run an autonomous shell task | 1 call |
gemini:apiPass real customer data without checking Gemini data terms429 quota exceededWait or upgrade plan; check key has the right Vertex/AI Studio scope
| Alternative | When to use it instead | Tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| claude-code (self) | Single-model is fine | No second opinion |