# How to Install Gemini CLI on Ubuntu: Complete Step-by-Step Tutorial

Step-by-step tutorial to install Google Gemini CLI on Ubuntu. Covers Node.js 20+ setup, npm global install, authentication, verification, and fixing common issues on Ubuntu LTS.

Canonical URL: https://a2a-mcp.org/blog/how-to-install-gemini-cli-on-ubuntu

Language: en

Published: 2026-04-07

Updated: 2026-04-07

## Prerequisites

Before starting the Gemini CLI installation on Ubuntu, prepare the following:

- **Ubuntu version**: 20.04 LTS or newer (22.04, 24.04, and 26.04 are fully supported).
- **Administrative access**: Sudo privileges for package management.
- **Internet connection**: Required for downloading Node.js, npm packages, and authentication.
- **Google account**: Needed for OAuth sign-in to access Gemini models.
- **Recommended hardware**: At least 4 GB RAM and 2 CPU cores for smooth performance during interactive sessions.

**Basic knowledge assumed**: You know how to open a terminal and run basic `apt` and `bash` commands.

## Step 1: Update System Packages

Start by refreshing your package list and upgrading existing packages to prevent dependency conflicts:

```bash
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
```

This step ensures you have the latest security updates and repository information.

## Step 2: Install Node.js 20 or Higher

Gemini CLI requires **Node.js version 20 or newer**. Ubuntu's default repositories often include older versions (e.g., Node 18 on Ubuntu 24.04).

### Recommended Method: NodeSource Repository

```bash
curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_20.x | sudo -E bash -
sudo apt install -y nodejs
```

### Alternative: Using nvm (Node Version Manager)

For easier version management:

```bash
curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.40.1/install.sh | bash
source ~/.bashrc
nvm install 20
nvm use 20
nvm alias default 20
```

Verify the installation:

```bash
node --version
npm --version
```

You should see output similar to `v20.x.x` for Node.js and a matching npm version.

## Step 3: Install Gemini CLI

### Global Installation (Recommended for Daily Use)

```bash
npm install -g @google/gemini-cli
```

This makes the `gemini` command available system-wide.

### Quick Test Without Permanent Install

If you want to try it first:

```bash
npx @google/gemini-cli
```

### User-Level Installation (Avoid Permission Issues)

If you encounter permission errors with global install:

```bash
mkdir -p ~/.local/bin
npm config set prefix '~/.local'
export PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH"
echo 'export PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.bashrc
source ~/.bashrc
npm install -g @google/gemini-cli
```

## Step 4: Verify the Installation

Check that Gemini CLI is correctly installed:

```bash
gemini --version
```

Expected output shows the current version of Gemini CLI.

## Step 5: Launch and Authenticate

Run the CLI for the first time:

```bash
gemini
```

The tool will prompt you to sign in with Google. A browser window opens automatically. Complete the OAuth flow and return to the terminal.

After successful authentication, the interactive Gemini CLI interface loads. Use `/help` to see available commands.

**Best practice**: Navigate to your project directory before launching:

```bash
cd ~/my-project
gemini
```

## Common Issues & Troubleshooting

- **'gemini: command not found'**: Restart your terminal or run `source ~/.bashrc`. Check your PATH with `echo $PATH`.

- **Permission denied during npm install**: Use the user-level installation method above instead of `sudo npm`.

- **Node.js version error**: Re-run the NodeSource setup or switch versions with nvm. Confirm with `node --version`.

- **Authentication fails**: Disable browser pop-up blockers, ensure cookies are enabled, and try again. Clear npm cache if needed: `npm cache clean --force`.

- **Network timeout or download errors** (e.g., ripgrep prebuilt): Ensure stable internet. Retry the install or use `npx` as a workaround.

- **Missing build tools**: Install development dependencies:

```bash
sudo apt install -y build-essential python3
```

- **WSL-specific issues**: Run commands in a standard Ubuntu terminal rather than WSL if compilation errors occur.

For more help, refer to the official GitHub repository: https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli.

## Next Steps

- Explore core commands: Type `/help`, `/model`, or `/settings` inside the CLI.
- Use in projects: Ask Gemini to explain code, refactor functions, or generate new files with natural language prompts.
- Customize: Edit configuration files in `~/.config/gemini-cli/` for themes, default models, and extensions.
- Update regularly: Run `npm update -g @google/gemini-cli` to get the latest improvements.
- Integrate tools: Experiment with built-in extensions and MCP servers for advanced agentic workflows like git integration.

You are now ready to use Gemini CLI as a powerful AI coding assistant directly in your Ubuntu terminal. Start with simple prompts in a project folder and gradually build more complex agentic tasks.

Happy coding with Gemini!