You can install Gemini CLI on Windows 11 with npm: install Node.js 20.0.0 or later, run npm install -g @google/gemini-cli in PowerShell, then start it with gemini. One important version caveat: the project currently recommends Windows 11 24H2 or later. Check your Windows version before starting.
Check the Windows and Node.js requirements
The Gemini CLI project lists Windows 11 24H2 or later, Node.js 20.0.0 or later, a supported shell, and an internet connection as its current recommended platform requirements. Its memory guidance is 4GB or more for casual use and 16GB or more for power use; those figures are guidance, not a performance guarantee. See the official installation and release documentation for current requirements.
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To check your Windows version, open Settings > System > About and look under Windows specifications for the version. The recommendation is specifically 24H2 or later; do not assume an earlier Windows 11 release meets it.
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node --version
npm --versionThe Node.js version must be 20.0.0 or later. If Node.js is missing or older, install a current supported Node.js release from its official source. After installation, close and reopen PowerShell so it can pick up any PATH changes, then run the version checks again.
Install Gemini CLI
For a regular installation, use npm to install the CLI globally. This makes the gemini command available in your terminal when npm’s global executable directory is on PATH.
npm install -g @google/gemini-cliWhen the installation finishes, launch the CLI:
geminiIf you prefer not to install it globally, the project documents running it with npx instead:
npx @google/gemini-cli| Option | What it does | Choose it when |
|---|---|---|
| Global npm install | Installs the CLI so you can launch it with gemini. |
You expect to use the command repeatedly. |
| npx | Runs the CLI without a permanent global installation. | You want to run it without setting up a global command. |
Choose a release channel
Stable is the default and recommended channel for most users. The project also documents @preview and @nightly tags for people who intentionally want less-vetted builds. Nightly includes changes from the main branch and may have pending validation or issues. Check the project’s release instructions before choosing a non-default channel.
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Start the CLI and authenticate
On first launch, follow the sign-in option that matches your account and environment. For most people using a personal Google account on a local machine, the documented path is to start gemini, choose Sign in with Google, and complete the browser sign-in. The CLI caches credentials locally for future sessions.
Organization accounts—including company, school, or Workspace accounts—and some Gemini Code Assist subscription users may need to configure a Google Cloud project. Other documented choices include an AI Studio API key or Vertex AI credentials; Vertex AI use requires a project. The authentication guide explains setup for each method.
| Authentication method | Typical fit | Project or key details |
|---|---|---|
| Google sign-in | Most individual users on a local machine | Organization accounts and some subscription users may need a Google Cloud project. |
| AI Studio API key | Users who want to authenticate with an API key | Set GEMINI_API_KEY in the PowerShell session, then choose the API-key option in the CLI. |
| Vertex AI | Users authenticating through Vertex AI | A Google Cloud project is required. |
To provide an AI Studio key for the current PowerShell session, set the environment variable before launching the CLI. Replace the example value locally; do not put a real key in a public script or source-control repository.
$env:GEMINI_API_KEY="YOUR_GEMINI_API_KEY"
geminiYour authentication choice can affect quotas, pricing, terms, and privacy notices. Review the current terms and notices that apply to your chosen method before using it. For headless use, you need existing cached credentials or configured API-key or Vertex AI environment credentials.
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Use Gemini CLI for questions and project work
Gemini CLI is a terminal assistant for asking questions and working with code or documents, including generating, reviewing, and editing content. After launching it, describe a bounded task and provide enough context for the project or document you are working on. For example:
Explain what this project does and identify the files I should read first.Review the current code for likely input-validation problems and explain each finding.Draft a README section explaining how to run this project on Windows.
Use /help inside the CLI to see available commands. Read proposed changes before accepting them; generated output can be inaccurate or unsuitable for your project.
Fix common Windows problems
PowerShell says gemini is not recognized
This commonly means Windows cannot find npm’s global executable directory. Check npm’s global prefix in PowerShell:
npm config get prefixConfirm that the relevant npm global executable directory is included in your Windows PATH. If you update the user PATH, start a new terminal before trying gemini again. As a diagnostic, try npx @google/gemini-cli: if that runs while gemini does not, global command resolution is the likely issue. The project’s troubleshooting guide covers the PATH check.
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Sign-in reports an ineligible account or unavailable location
Check the current supported locations and confirm that the Google account and license you are using are eligible. Availability and account eligibility can affect sign-in; the troubleshooting guide lists the relevant checks.
A personal account gets an organization entitlement error
Check whether GOOGLE_CLOUD_PROJECT or GOOGLE_CLOUD_PROJECT_ID is set in the current environment or a PowerShell startup file. The CLI may use these variables to trigger an organization subscription check. If you are using an organization account, ask your administrator about the required entitlement.
A company network causes a TLS certificate error
SSL inspection on a corporate network may require Node.js to trust your organization’s root certificate. The troubleshooting guide suggests first trying this in PowerShell:
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$env:NODE_USE_SYSTEM_CA="1"
geminiIf that does not resolve the error, ask your administrator for the approved certificate path and use NODE_EXTRA_CA_CERTS with that path. Do not download or trust an unknown certificate.
A Unix command such as chmod fails
chmod is not a standard Windows command, so a task that invokes it may fail in a native Windows shell. Use an appropriate Windows equivalent, or use a Unix-like environment such as WSL or Git Bash when the task genuinely requires Unix commands. The official FAQ addresses this Windows issue.
Update or uninstall Gemini CLI
Update Gemini CLI to the latest version
For a global npm installation, run:
npm install -g @google/gemini-cli@latestRemove a global installation
To uninstall the globally installed package, run:
npm uninstall -g @google/gemini-cliIf you used npx, there is no permanent global installation to remove. The project’s FAQ notes that npx uses a shared cache, so clearing it can affect other packages run through npx.
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