> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.microsandbox.dev/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Gemini CLI

> Run Google's Gemini CLI against a copied project in a microVM

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

<Steps>
  <Step title="Start Gemini CLI">
    <Tooltip tip="On microsandbox cloud, create the named volume first and omit replace-on-create from this command."><span className="msb-badge-limited">Limited on cloud <Icon icon="circle-info" size={11} /></span></Tooltip>

    <CodeGroup>
      ```sh macOS & Linux theme={null}
      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
        '
      ```

      ```powershell Windows theme={null}
      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
        '
      ```
    </CodeGroup>

    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.

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

  <Step title="Start another session">
    After leaving Gemini CLI, return to the same sandbox and workspace with:

    ```sh theme={null}
    msb exec -t gemini-demo -- gemini
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify the installation">
    Exit the TUI and run:

    ```sh theme={null}
    msb exec gemini-demo -- gemini --version
    ```

    The pinned example prints `0.52.0`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Export changes">
    Create a patch inside the sandbox:

    ```sh theme={null}
    msb exec gemini-demo -- sh -lc 'cd /workspace && git add -N . && git diff --binary > /tmp/gemini.patch'
    ```

    Copy the patch to the host:

    ```sh theme={null}
    msb cp gemini-demo:/tmp/gemini.patch ./gemini.patch
    ```

    Check that it applies cleanly before applying it:

    ```sh theme={null}
    git apply --check ./gemini.patch
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Clean up">
    Remove the sandbox:

    ```sh theme={null}
    msb rm -f gemini-demo
    ```

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

    ```sh theme={null}
    msb volume rm gemini-data
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Reference

* [Gemini CLI installation](https://google-gemini.github.io/gemini-cli/docs/get-started/deployment.html)