Install a Skill in Gemini CLI

A skill is a superpower for your assistant: a short set of instructions that teaches it one job well. In Gemini CLI, a skill is a folder with a file called SKILL.md inside. Gemini follows the open Agent Skills standard, so many skill folders work in more than one assistant.

At the start of a session, Gemini reads only the name and description of each skill. When your request matches a skill, Gemini asks your consent to use it. Then it loads the full instructions.

Install the skill

You run this in your normal terminal, not inside a Gemini session. Google's pattern installs a skill from a Git repository (a project folder on a site such as GitHub) or from a folder on your computer:

$ gemini skills install https://github.com/user/repo.git

Replace the address with the address of the skill you want. Gemini shows a security confirmation before it installs. Read it, then confirm. Google also documents a --consent option that skips this question: leave it out while you are learning.

By default, the skill works in all your projects (user scope). To install it for the current project only, add --scope workspace. If the skill sits in a sub-folder of the repository, add --path and the sub-folder name.

Check that Gemini found it

$ gemini skills list --all

Inside a session, type /skills list. If a new skill is missing, type /skills reload.

Know where skills live

You can also copy a skill folder by hand into one of these places:

~ means your home folder. The .agents/skills/ paths are shared names that other assistants can read too.

Turn a skill off or remove it

• Inside a session: /skills disable <name> turns a skill off, and /skills enable <name> turns it on again.
• From the terminal, this removes a project skill:

$ gemini skills uninstall my-skill --scope workspace

Extensions: bigger packages

Gemini CLI also has extensions. An extension is a package that can bundle skills with other add-ons. Google's example installs one from GitHub:

$ gemini extensions install https://github.com/gemini-cli-extensions/workspace

Install extensions and skills only from people you trust. Find skills that we checked in our Skills list, and read Skills, agents and connectors explained for the bigger picture.