Google recently announced that its Gemini Command Line Interface (CLI) has acquired a new feature called "extensions." The release of this feature means that users can connect their favorite tools with the AI-powered command line, thereby achieving a personalized experience. Google stated that these extensions will be hosted on a public GitHub code repository, allowing any developer to publish their own extensions without direct approval from Google.
Currently, there are over 50 extensions available in the Gemini CLI extension library. These include the Stripe extension, which allows users to integrate payment APIs into Agentic workflows; the Terraform extension for infrastructure automation; and an extension that connects to Chrome DevTools, designed for coding agents. In addition, Google also launched an extension called Nanobanana, which enables users to generate and manipulate images with text prompts directly from the terminal.
After installing an extension, the Gemini CLI can automatically select which tools to use based on the prompt, although users can also explicitly call these tools by using custom commands from the extension. To view installed extensions, users simply need to enter the "/extension" command.
For developers, creating a Gemini CLI extension is also very simple. Developers just need to start from an embedded template, create a manifest file named gemini-extension.json, which points to a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server to expose new tools to the AI. This server is essentially a small application that listens for requests from the CLI. At the same time, developers can also add simple TOML files in the commands directory to create shortcuts for custom commands for complex prompts.
The Gemini CLI was officially released earlier this year, aiming to provide developers with a way to interact directly with AI through the terminal. The initial version already has powerful features, allowing users to let the AI read local files or execute Shell commands to help diagnose issues. Users can enjoy a free plan with 60 requests per minute by simply logging in with their personal Google account.
Several months after the release of the CLI tool, Google also applied it to Firebase Studio cloud IDE and Zed Editor. These tools can handle tasks such as code generation, refactoring existing functions, and providing instant explanations for complex code blocks.
Key Points:
🌟 The new "extensions" feature added to Gemini CLI supports a personalized AI command line experience.
🔧 More than 50 extensions are available, including Stripe and Terraform, making it easy to integrate various tools.
👨💻 Developers can easily create extensions, connecting with an MCP server using a manifest file named gemini-extension.json.
