Gemini CLI tutorial for beginners

Gemini CLI is Google’s AI coding assistant that runs directly in your terminal. It’s powered by Google’s Gemini models and is excellent for rapid prototyping, code generation, and what’s become known as “vibe coding”—building software by describing what you want.

What makes Gemini CLI special? It has a generous free tier, integrates with Google’s ecosystem, and is incredibly fast at generating code. If you want to start vibe coding without a subscription, Gemini CLI is a great choice.

What you’ll need

• A Mac running macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later
• A Google account (free)
• About 10 minutes of your time

That’s it. No paid subscription required to get started.

Step 1: Install Gemini CLI

Installing Gemini CLI manually involves setting up Node.js, npm, and configuring your Google Cloud credentials. That’s a lot of steps if you’re new to the terminal.

The easier way is to use Vibestackr—a free Mac app that handles everything for you.

During installation, you’ll be asked to sign in with your Google account. This authenticates Gemini CLI with your credentials.

Step 2: Open Terminal

Once Gemini CLI is installed, you’ll interact with it through Terminal. Here’s how to open it:

1. Press Cmd + Space to open Spotlight
2. Type “Terminal” and press Enter

You’ll see a window with a command prompt. This is where you’ll work with Gemini.

Step 3: Start Gemini CLI

In Terminal, type:

gemini

Press Enter. Gemini CLI will start up and you’ll see a welcome message. You’re ready to build.

Step 4: Build your first project

Let’s create something practical: a weather dashboard. In the Gemini CLI prompt, type:

Create a weather dashboard web app. Show the current weather for a city that the user can search for. Include temperature, humidity, and a weather icon. Use a clean, modern design with a gradient background.

Press Enter and watch Gemini work. It will:

1. Create the HTML structure
2. Add CSS for styling
3. Write JavaScript for the weather API integration
4. Set up the search functionality

In less than a minute, you’ll have a working weather dashboard.

Step 5: Test your app

Gemini will tell you where it saved the files. To view your app, ask:

Open the weather dashboard in my browser

Your browser will open with your new weather app. Try searching for a city to see the current weather.

Step 6: Iterate and improve

Want to add features or change the design? Just ask:

Add a 5-day forecast below the current weather. Show each day's high and low temperature.

Or style changes:

Change the color scheme to use blues and whites. Make it feel more like a weather app.

Gemini responds quickly, making iteration fast and painless.

What makes Gemini CLI different

Speed

Gemini CLI is notably fast at generating code. If you’re iterating quickly on an idea, this speed makes a real difference in your workflow.

Free tier

Unlike some other AI coding tools that require paid subscriptions from day one, Gemini CLI’s free tier is generous enough for most personal projects and learning.

Google integration

If you’re already in Google’s ecosystem, Gemini CLI integrates naturally. It can work with Google Cloud services and understands Google’s APIs well.

Multimodal capabilities

Gemini can understand images, so you can show it a screenshot or mockup and ask it to build something similar.

Tips for better results

Be descriptive

The more context you give, the better the output. “Build a website” is vague. “Build a portfolio website for a freelance photographer with a masonry grid gallery, about section, and contact form” gives Gemini clear direction.

Iterate in steps

Start with the core functionality, then add features one at a time. This makes it easier to catch issues and gives you more control over the result.

Use specific technical terms

If you know you want something specific (like “flexbox layout” or “localStorage”), mention it. Gemini understands technical terms and will use them appropriately.

Ask for explanations

If you want to learn while building, ask Gemini to explain its code: “Build a login form and explain how the validation works.”

Project ideas to try

Now that you know the basics, here are some projects to practice with:

• Note-taking app — “Create a note app with markdown support and local storage”
• Timer app — “Build a Pomodoro timer with customizable intervals and sound alerts”
• Quiz game — “Create a trivia quiz with multiple categories and a score tracker”
• Expense tracker — “Build an expense tracker with categories and monthly charts”
• Recipe saver — “Create an app to save and organize recipes from URLs”

Start simple and build up complexity as you get comfortable.

Gemini CLI vs. other tools

How does Gemini CLI compare to alternatives like Claude Code or Codex?

• Gemini CLI is fast, has a free tier, and integrates with Google services. Great for rapid prototyping.
• Claude Code excels at understanding complex requirements and maintaining context across long conversations. Requires a subscription.
• Codex pioneered AI coding and has deep OpenAI integration. Uses usage-based API pricing.

Many developers use multiple tools depending on the task. Vibestackr lets you install all of them, so you can find what works best for you.

Getting help

Stuck on something? Ask Gemini directly:

• “Why isn’t this code working?”
• “How do I make this work on mobile?”
• “What’s the best way to structure this app?”

Gemini can debug its own code, explain concepts, and suggest better approaches. Use it as a learning partner.

Happy vibe coding!