How to Use Gemini CLI for Free

Use Gemini CLI even if you're not a developer. 📬 Level up your spreadsheet and automation skills (free newsletter) → https://gotsheet.xyz/c/gotsheet-youtube announcement post: https://blog.google/technology/developers/introducing-gemini-cli-open-source-ai-agent/ gemini project: https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli my project from the video: https://github.com/sieis/clc-verses 🎬 Watch next: https://youtu.be/X_eM_1a-o6Q In this step‑by‑step walkthrough, I install the Google Gemini CLI on Windows (Node.js 18+), log in with Google, and run a real demo on a small GitHub project—auto‑generating a better README and modernizing the UI with safe, reviewable changes in VS Code. We cover the generous free tier, 1M‑token context window, and practical prompts so non‑devs can use AI productively. ──────────────────── 💰 Deals & Tools • My full tech stack: https://gotsheet.xyz/c/business-tech-stack • Convert PDFs and images to Excel - https://lido.app/link/eamonn • Connect Google Sheets or Excel directly to your business systems like CRMs, databases, and APIs - https://coefficient.io/?via=eamonn • 20% off Beehiiv (3 mo.): https://beehiiv.com/partners/got-sheet?via=eamonn • My recommended gear: https://amzn.to/4l47CyW *Disclosure: affiliate links may earn me a small commission at no cost to you.* ──────────────────── ⌚ Timestamps 00:00 Intro: Why Gemini CLI and who this helps 00:22 Free tier & model overview (2.5 Pro, big context window) 01:33 What we’ll build: README + UI upgrade on a tiny project 02:58 Install prerequisites (Node.js 18+) & version check 03:54 Global install vs npx: running the CLI 05:03 First run: login with Google (no API key needed) 06:26 Tour: chat, context, and safe file edits 07:10 Open in VS Code & ask Gemini for a better README 08:20 Reviewing diffs and accepting changes 09:19 Live site + keeping badges/links 10:07 UI makeover plan: cleaner, modern, responsive 11:25 HTML/CSS updates and what changed 12:33 Testing buttons & fixing active states 13:58 Refinements: gradient hero, copy tweaks 14:54 Final review, what worked, what to try next 15:26 Wrap‑up: who should use this & next video ──────────────────── 🌐 Site: https://eamonncottrell.com 📇 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/eamonncottrell 🐦 X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/EamonnCottrell #GeminiCLI #GoogleAI #CodingTutorial