geminicli.com

Free

Extend Gemini CLI with specialized expertise and workflow automation.

FreeFree tier

Type

Open Source

Visit Website GitHub (40 stars)

About geminicli.com

Agent Skills extend Gemini CLI with specialized expertise, procedural workflows, and task-specific resources. Based on the Agent Skills open standard, a skill is a self-contained directory that packages instructions and assets into a discoverable capability. Unlike general context files (GEMINI.md) that provide persistent workspace-wide background, Skills represent on-demand expertise. Gemini CLI scans discovery tiers (built-in, extension, user, workspace) and injects skill metadata into the system prompt. When a task matches, the skill can be activated with user consent, adding its instructions and directory assets to the conversation. This allows Gemini CLI to maintain a vast library of specialized capabilities without cluttering the model's immediate context window.

Key Features

On-demand skill activation with user consent

Multiple discovery tiers: built-in, extension, user, workspace

Resource bundling: include scripts, templates, and example data

Progressive disclosure: only metadata loaded initially, detailed instructions on activation

Repeatable workflows via procedural guidance

Shared expertise through version-controlled workspace skills

Pros & Cons

Pros

Saves context tokens by loading only metadata until activation
Enables a vast library of specialized capabilities without clutter
Supports shared expertise via version-controlled workspace skills
Provides consistent execution of complex workflows
Allows bundling of scripts, templates, and data alongside instructions

Cons

Requires user approval for each skill activation
Unpaid tier and Google One users will have Gemini CLI replaced by Antigravity CLI on June 18th (potential disruption)

Best For

Security auditingCloud deploymentsCodebase migrationsTeam-specific PR review processesComplex multi-step task automation

FAQ

How do Agent Skills differ from GEMINI.md files?

GEMINI.md files provide persistent workspace-wide background, while Skills are on-demand expertise that only load metadata initially and activate upon task matching, saving context tokens.

What are the discovery tiers?

Gemini CLI discovers skills from built-in, extension, user (~/.gemini/skills/), and workspace (.gemini/skills/) locations, with higher-precedence locations overriding lower ones.

How do I manage skills?

You can manage skills with interactive session commands like /skills list, /skills enable, /skills disable, or use --scope workspace for workspace settings.