From 6bb3f27f6cddfeeb4295d12830aa3c03214e6b13 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: starsandskies Date: Thu, 12 Jun 2025 11:36:36 -0700 Subject: [PATCH] Edit pass of README.md (#906) Make a pass through the README.md file to hopefully improve readability and completeness Co-authored-by: N. Taylor Mullen --- README.md | 92 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++------------------------ 1 file changed, 52 insertions(+), 40 deletions(-) diff --git a/README.md b/README.md index 7010a3e2..b3845be5 100644 --- a/README.md +++ b/README.md @@ -6,17 +6,15 @@ This repository contains the Gemini CLI tool. ## Quickstart -1. Install [Node 18+](https://nodejs.org/en/download) -2. Set your API key: `export GEMINI_API_KEY="YOUR_API_KEY"` ([Get an API key](https://aistudio.google.com/apikey)) - -- For future sessions you can add this to your shell's configuration file, or use a `.env` file in your project's hierarchy - -3. Run with: `npx https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli#early-access` -4. Enjoy +1. [Install Node 20+](https://nodejs.org/en/download). +2. [Get an API key from Google AI Studio](https://aistudio.google.com/apikey). +3. Set the API key in your shell using the following command, replacing `YOUR_API_KEY` with the API key you obtained: `export GEMINI_API_KEY="YOUR_API_KEY"`. +4. Run the Gemini CLI from your shell using the following command: `npx https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli#early-access` +5. Enjoy. ## Examples -Once the CLI is running, you can start interacting with Gemini. Try a simple query: +Once the CLI is running, you can start interacting with Gemini from your shell. Try a simple query: ``` > How can I build a web app? @@ -30,52 +28,66 @@ Or ask it to perform a task using its tools: ## API Key Setup -The Gemini CLI requires a Gemini API Key. It supports several ways to authenticate with Google's AI services. You'll need to configure **one** of the following methods: +The Gemini CLI requires you to authenticate with Google's AI services. You'll need to configure **one** of the following authentication methods: -1. **Gemini API Key:** +1. **Gemini API key:** - Obtain your API key from Google AI Studio: [https://aistudio.google.com/app/apikey](https://aistudio.google.com/app/apikey) - - Set the `GEMINI_API_KEY` environment variable. You can do this temporarily in your current shell session: - ```bash - export GEMINI_API_KEY="YOUR_GEMINI_API_KEY" - ``` - Or add it to your `.env` file (in project directory or user home) or shell's configuration file (like `~/.bashrc`, `~/.zshrc`, or `~/.profile`) for persistence: - ```bash - echo 'export GEMINI_API_KEY="YOUR_GEMINI_API_KEY"' >> ~/.bashrc # Or your preferred shell config file - source ~/.bashrc # Reload the config - ``` - Replace `"YOUR_GEMINI_API_KEY"` with your actual key. + - Set the `GEMINI_API_KEY` environment variable. In the following methods, replace `YOUR_GEMINI_API_KEY` with the API key you obtained from Google AI Studio: + - You can temporarily set the environment variable in your current shell session using the following command: + ```bash + export GEMINI_API_KEY="YOUR_GEMINI_API_KEY" + ``` + - For repeated use, you can add the environment variable to your `.env` file (located in the project directory or user home directory) or your shell's configuration file (like `~/.bashrc`, `~/.zshrc`, or `~/.profile`). For example, the following command adds the environment variable to a `~/.bashrc` file: + ```bash + echo 'export GEMINI_API_KEY="YOUR_GEMINI_API_KEY"' >> ~/.bashrc # Or your preferred shell config file + source ~/.bashrc # Reload the config + ``` 2. **Google API Key (Vertex AI Express Mode):** - - This key can be a general Google Cloud API key enabled for the Gemini API or Vertex AI. - - Set the `GOOGLE_API_KEY` and `GOOGLE_GENAI_USE_VERTEXAI` environment variables: - ```bash - export GOOGLE_API_KEY="YOUR_GOOGLE_API_KEY" - export GOOGLE_GENAI_USE_VERTEXAI=true - ``` + - You can use a general Google Cloud API key if it has been enabled for the Gemini API or Vertex AI. + - Set the `GOOGLE_API_KEY` and `GOOGLE_GENAI_USE_VERTEXAI` environment variables. In the following methods, replace `YOUR_GEMINI_API_KEY` with your Google Cloud API key: + - You can temporarily set these environment variables in your current shell session using the following commands: + ```bash + export GOOGLE_API_KEY="YOUR_GOOGLE_API_KEY" + export GOOGLE_GENAI_USE_VERTEXAI=true + ``` + - For repeated use, you can add the environment variables to your `.env` file (located in the project directory or user home directory) or your shell's configuration file (like `~/.bashrc`, `~/.zshrc`, or `~/.profile`). For example, the following commands adds the environment variables to a `~/.bashrc` file: + ```bash + echo 'export GEMINI_API_KEY="YOUR_GEMINI_API_KEY"' >> ~/.bashrc # Or your preferred shell config file + echo 'export GOOGLE_GENAI_USE_VERTEXAI=true' >> ~/.bashrc # Or your preferred shell config file + source ~/.bashrc # Reload the config + ``` 3. **Vertex AI (Project and Location):** - - Ensure you have a Google Cloud Project and have enabled the Vertex AI API. - - Set up Application Default Credentials (ADC). For more details, refer to the [official Google Cloud ADC documentation](https://cloud.google.com/docs/authentication/provide-credentials-adc): + - Ensure you have a Google Cloud project and have enabled the Vertex AI API. + - Set up Application Default Credentials (ADC), using the following command: ```bash gcloud auth application-default login ``` - - Set the `GOOGLE_CLOUD_PROJECT`, `GOOGLE_CLOUD_LOCATION`, and `GOOGLE_GENAI_USE_VERTEXAI` environment variables: - ```bash - export GOOGLE_CLOUD_PROJECT="YOUR_PROJECT_ID" - export GOOGLE_CLOUD_LOCATION="YOUR_PROJECT_LOCATION" # e.g., us-central1 - export GOOGLE_GENAI_USE_VERTEXAI=true - ``` + For more information, see [Set up Application Default Credentials for Google Cloud](https://cloud.google.com/docs/authentication/provide-credentials-adc). + - Set the `GOOGLE_CLOUD_PROJECT`, `GOOGLE_CLOUD_LOCATION`, and `GOOGLE_GENAI_USE_VERTEXAI` environment variables. In the following methods, replace `YOUR_PROJECT_ID` and `YOUR_PROJECT_LOCATION` with the relevant values for your project: + - You can temporarily set these environment variables in your current shell session using the following commands: + ```bash + export GOOGLE_CLOUD_PROJECT="YOUR_PROJECT_ID" + export GOOGLE_CLOUD_LOCATION="YOUR_PROJECT_LOCATION" # e.g., us-central1 + export GOOGLE_GENAI_USE_VERTEXAI=true + ``` + - For repeated use, you can add the environment variables to your `.env` file (located in the project directory or user home directory) or your shell's configuration file (like `~/.bashrc`, `~/.zshrc`, or `~/.profile`). For example, the following commands adds the environment variables to a `~/.bashrc` file: + ```bash + echo 'export GOOGLE_CLOUD_PROJECT="YOUR_PROJECT_ID"' >> ~/.bashrc # Or your preferred shell config file + echo 'export GOOGLE_CLOUD_LOCATION="YOUR_PROJECT_LOCATION"' >> ~/.bashrc # Or your preferred shell config file + echo 'export GOOGLE_GENAI_USE_VERTEXAI=true' >> ~/.bashrc # Or your preferred shell config file + source ~/.bashrc # Reload the config + ``` ### Next Steps -Congratulations! You've successfully set up and run the Gemini CLI. - -- If you're interested in contributing or building from source, check [CONTRIBUTING](./CONTRIBUTING.md) -- Explore the **[CLI Commands](./docs/cli/commands.md)** to learn about all available functionalities. -- If you encounter any issues, check the **[Troubleshooting Guide](./docs/troubleshooting.md)**. -- For more comprehensive documentation, please see the [full documentation here](./docs/index.md). +- Learn how to [contribute to or build from the source](./CONTRIBUTING.md). +- Explore the available **[CLI Commands](./docs/cli/commands.md)**. +- If you encounter any issues, review the **[Troubleshooting guide](./docs/troubleshooting.md)**. +- For more comprehensive documentation, see the [full documentation](./docs/index.md). ## Gemini APIs