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Instructor-led training / ai-gem-1d1

Gemini CLI for Developers – Beginner

Master the fundamentals of Google's Gemini CLI agent, interactive REPL pairing, project context configurations with GEMINI.md, and local file system operations.
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Instructor-led

ai-gem-1d1

Duration
1 Days
Format
Live Online
Access
Multiple Timezones

Overview

About this course.

This course provides developers with hands-on experience using Google's open-source Gemini CLI terminal agent. Participants learn how to set up native command-line AI pairing, structure repository-level project rules using GEMINI.md context files, execute precise local file edits, and leverage direct shell execution with approval safety controls.

Objectives

What you'll learn

  • Install, configure, and authenticate the native Gemini CLI developer environment.
  • Leverage the interactive REPL and direct shell integration for rapid pairing.
  • Structure repository-level project rules using GEMINI.md context files.
  • Execute precise local file reads, edits, diffs, and project restructuring.
  • Utilize system symbols (@ and !) to inject file context and trigger shell commands safely.

Audience

Who it's for

  • Software Engineers
  • DevOps Engineers
  • Technical Leads

Prerequisites

Before you start

  • Proficiency with basic command-line navigation and shell commands (Bash/Zsh).
  • Experience writing code in at least one major programming language (Python, JavaScript/TypeScript, Go, etc.).
  • Node.js (v18+) and npm installed locally.

Outline

Course outline.

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1. Introduction to Gemini CLI Architecture

  • Understanding terminal-native AI agents vs. IDE extensions
  • Installing Gemini CLI via Node.js (@google/gemini-cli)
  • Authentication models: Google Cloud Vertex AI vs. Gemini API Keys
  • REPL mode, command-line flags, and non-interactive scripted invocations
  • Hands-on: Environment Setup and Initial API Authentication
  • Hands-on: Executing First Terminal Conversations and Workspace Invocations

2. Steering Behavior with GEMINI.md

  • Anatomy of a GEMINI.md file: Formatting conventions, build steps, and coding style rules
  • Project context scoping: Global vs. Directory-level rules
  • Automatic rule discovery and workspace initialization with /init
  • Preventing unwanted file modifications and enforcing architectural boundaries
  • Hands-on: Initializing Custom GEMINI.md Project Context Files
  • Hands-on: Testing Rule Enforcement Across Multi-Directory Codebases

3. Precision Context Injection & Shell Guardrails

  • Referencing workspace files using @file, @dir, and glob patterns
  • Executing terminal commands inline with !shell syntax
  • Interactive confirmation prompts, approval policies, and safety controls
  • Understanding approval states: Manual prompt, trusted folders, and yolo execution mode
  • Hands-on: Targeted Context Injection for Bug Diagnostics
  • Hands-on: Safely Executing Test Suites and Build Scripts via Terminal Invocations

4. Code Modification & Iterative Refactoring

  • File editing mechanics: Search-and-replace blocks vs. direct file re-writing
  • Managing local Git status and inspecting inline AI diffs
  • Handling syntax failures, automatic retry loops, and code formatting
  • Iterative test-driven refactoring with Gemini CLI pairing
  • Hands-on: Automated Code Refactoring and Unit Test Generation
  • Hands-on: End-to-End Bug Remediation and Git Commit Preparation

For teams

Training a whole team?

Request private training for Gemini CLI for Developers – Beginner and we'll follow up with a quote for your group.

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