Set Up Gemini CLI in VSCode for Cline Assistant in Just 5 Minutes!

Introduction

In this tutorial, we will guide you through setting up the Gemini CLI in Visual Studio Code (VSCode) to use Cline effectively. By following these steps, you'll gain access to 1,000 free requests per day for the Gemini 2.5 Pro and Flash models, making it a great resource for developers looking to leverage AI without incurring costs.

Step 1: Install Node.js

To use Gemini CLI, you need to have Node.js installed on your system.

1. Go to the Node.js download page.
2. Choose the appropriate installer for your operating system.
3. Download and run the installer, following the prompts to complete the installation.

Step 2: Install Gemini CLI

Once Node.js is set up, you can install the Gemini CLI.

1. Open your command line interface (Terminal, Command Prompt, or PowerShell).

2. Run the following command to install the Gemini CLI globally:

   npm install -g gemini-cli
   

3. Confirm the installation by checking the CLI version:

   gemini --version
   

Step 3: Authenticate the Gemini CLI

You need to authenticate the Gemini CLI to start making requests.

1. Visit the Gemini CLI GitHub repository for any authentication details.

2. Run the authentication command:

   gemini auth
   

3. Follow the prompts to input your API key or any other required credentials.

Step 4: Set Up VSCode

Now, let's set up Visual Studio Code to work with the Gemini CLI.

1. Open Visual Studio Code.

Install the necessary extensions

• Go to the Extensions view by clicking the Extensions icon on the sidebar or pressing Ctrl+Shift+X.
• Search for and install any relevant extensions that enhance your development experience (e.g., Node.js, JavaScript support).

Step 5: Leverage Gemini CLI in Cline

With everything set up, you can now utilize the Gemini CLI within Cline.

1. Open your project in VSCode.

2. Create a new file (e.g., geminiRequests.js).

3. Use the following sample code to make a request using the Gemini CLI:

   const { Gemini } = require('gemini-cli');
   
   const gemini = new Gemini();
   gemini.request('your query here').then(response => {
       console.log(response);
   }).catch(error => {
       console.error('Error:', error);
   });
   

4. Save the file and run it using the terminal:

   node geminiRequests.js
   

Conclusion

By following these steps, you have successfully set up the Gemini CLI in Visual Studio Code and authenticated it for use with Cline. You can now make 1,000 free requests per day to the Gemini models. Explore different queries and integrate this powerful tool into your projects. For further learning, check the documentation and experiment with advanced features!