Add an MCP Connector to Gemini CLI

A connector lets your assistant use another tool or service. Connectors use a shared standard called MCP (Model Context Protocol). The connector itself is called an MCP server.

There are two common kinds:

• Local (stdio): the connector runs on your computer. You add it with the command that starts it.
• Remote (http): the connector runs on the internet. You add it with a web address (URL).

Find the connector's setup line

Open the official page of the connector you want. Look for a URL, or a start command such as a line that starts with npx. Only add connectors from people you trust.

Add the connector

You run this in your normal terminal, not inside a Gemini session. The pattern is:

$ gemini mcp add [options] <name> <commandOrUrl> [args...]

You choose the name. For a remote connector, add --transport http. Google's example, with a made-up address:

$ gemini mcp add --transport http http-server https://api.example.com/mcp/

For a local connector, give the start command after the name. Google's example, with a made-up server:

$ gemini mcp add python-server python server.py -- --server-arg my-value

To pass a setting such as a key, add -e KEY=value. To send a sign-in header to a remote connector, add --header.

Choose where it applies

By default, gemini mcp add saves the connector for the current project, in .gemini/settings.json inside the project folder. Add --scope user to save it in ~/.gemini/settings.json, so that it works in all your projects.

Do not use the --trust option while you learn. It skips every confirmation question for that connector.

Check that it worked

$ gemini mcp list

Each connector shows Connected or Disconnected. A local connector shows as connected only in a folder that you trust. Inside a session, type /mcp list to see connectors and their tools. If a remote connector needs a sign-in, type /mcp auth <name>.

Remove a connector

$ gemini mcp remove <name>

Add --scope user if you added it with that option. Browse connectors that we checked in our Connectors list.