Gemini CLI

This example runs the official scoped Gemini CLI package inside a disposable Node.js microVM. The project is copied into the guest, while Gemini authentication and settings live in a named volume.

Run Gemini CLI

Start Gemini CLI

msb run -t --name gemini-demo --replace \
  --cpus 2 --memory 2G --root-disk 4G \
  --copy-dir ./my-project:/workspace \
  --workdir /workspace \
  --mount-named gemini-data:/root/.gemini \
  node:24-bookworm-slim -- sh -lc '
    apt-get update &&
    apt-get install -y --no-install-recommends ca-certificates git &&
    npm install -g @google/gemini-cli@0.52.0 &&
    exec gemini
  '

msb run -t --name gemini-demo --replace `
  --cpus 2 --memory 2G --root-disk 4G `
  --copy-dir ./my-project:/workspace `
  --workdir /workspace `
  --mount-named gemini-data:/root/.gemini `
  node:24-bookworm-slim -- sh -lc '
    apt-get update &&
    apt-get install -y --no-install-recommends ca-certificates git &&
    npm install -g @google/gemini-cli@0.52.0 &&
    exec gemini
  '

Gemini CLI first asks whether you trust the workspace. Review the copied files, then continue to authentication. The sandbox cannot directly modify the original host directory.

Install the scoped package exactly as shown: @google/gemini-cli. Do not substitute similarly named unscoped packages.

Start another session

After leaving Gemini CLI, return to the same sandbox and workspace with:

msb exec -t gemini-demo -- gemini

Verify the installation

Exit the TUI and run:

msb exec gemini-demo -- gemini --version

The pinned example prints 0.52.0.

Export changes

Create a patch inside the sandbox:

msb exec gemini-demo -- sh -lc 'cd /workspace && git add -N . && git diff --binary > /tmp/gemini.patch'

Copy the patch to the host:

msb cp gemini-demo:/tmp/gemini.patch ./gemini.patch

Check that it applies cleanly before applying it:

git apply --check ./gemini.patch

Clean up

Remove the sandbox:

msb rm -f gemini-demo

Remove persisted Gemini data only when you no longer need it:

msb volume rm gemini-data

Reference

Gemini CLI installation

⌘I

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Run Gemini CLI

Reference

​Run Gemini CLI

​Reference

Run Gemini CLI

Reference