# Gemini Setup Guide: VS Code, API and CLI Configuration

> Connect Gemini with a Passion8 URL, API key and model. Start with Cline in VS Code or the API, or configure Gemini CLI manually or with CC Switch.

URL: https://docs.passion8.cc/en/docs/gemini
Language: en
Publisher: Passion8
Last updated: 2026-10-11

To use Gemini through Passion8, you need a **Passion8 API key, an enabled model ID and the URL for your protocol**. For Cline in VS Code, select `OpenAI Compatible` and set the base URL to `https://passion8.cc/v1`; Gemini CLI uses the native protocol root `https://passion8.cc`. A Google account or Google OAuth is not required.

If you do not have a Passion8 key yet, follow [Quickstart](https://docs.passion8.cc/en/docs/quickstart) to create a token before choosing a client below.

## Choose your workflow

| Scenario | Recommended entry | Configuration |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Read code, edit files and review diffs in VS Code | [Cline editor setup](https://docs.passion8.cc/en/docs/gemini/vscode) | `https://passion8.cc/v1` + Passion8 key + model |
| Call models from your application | [Gemini API and SDK](https://docs.passion8.cc/en/docs/gemini/api) | Choose the native or compatible protocol URL |
| Continue an existing Gemini CLI workflow | CLI configuration below | `https://passion8.cc` + Passion8 key + model |
| Complete a project task after connecting | [Coding workflow](https://docs.passion8.cc/en/docs/gemini/workflow) | Analysis, planning, edits and acceptance |

### Has Gemini CLI been replaced?

Google moved Gemini CLI and Code Assist IDE login service for the free individual tier, Google AI Pro and Ultra to Antigravity on **2026-06-18**. The official announcement retains paid Gemini API key access, and the CLI configuration still supports a custom `GOOGLE_GEMINI_BASE_URL`.

Passion8 recommends **Cline** or **API** for new users. Existing API-key CLI users can use the configuration below. Google OAuth or an official subscription is not required, and Antigravity account setup is not part of Passion8 onboarding.

## Gemini CLI installation and configuration




Connect with a Passion8 API key. After installing Gemini CLI, configure the provider manually or through CC Switch; Google OAuth is not part of this gateway setup.




## Goal: complete a reviewable change in your repository

This tutorial covers installation, authentication, configuration, project context, task execution and acceptance. The CLI can edit files and execute commands. Enter the intended repository and inspect existing changes first so unrelated edits stay identifiable.

## 1. Install and check the version

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

Use the Node.js range supported by the official installation guide. `gemini --version` should print a version. If the command is missing, check the global npm bin directory in PATH. For a temporary run, use `npx @google/gemini-cli`. Record the team’s version before upgrading.

## 2. Prepare a Passion8 key and model

Create an API key in the [Passion8 console](https://passion8.cc) and copy an enabled Gemini model ID. Gemini CLI uses the native Gemini protocol, so the root is **`https://passion8.cc`**, not `https://passion8.cc/v1`. Do not append `/gemini` or `/v1beta` yourself.

## 3. Choose manual setup or CC Switch

### Option A: manual configuration

On macOS / Linux, configure the terminal that will launch the CLI:

```bash
export GEMINI_API_KEY="replace-with-your-Passion8-key"
export GOOGLE_GEMINI_BASE_URL="https://passion8.cc"
export GEMINI_MODEL="replace-with-an-enabled-Gemini-model-ID"
gemini --model "$GEMINI_MODEL"
```

Windows PowerShell:

```powershell
$env:GEMINI_API_KEY="replace-with-your-Passion8-key"
$env:GOOGLE_GEMINI_BASE_URL="https://passion8.cc"
$env:GEMINI_MODEL="replace-with-an-enabled-Gemini-model-ID"
gemini --model $env:GEMINI_MODEL
```

If the CLI still opens Google login, exit it and merge these fields into `~/.gemini/settings.json`, preserving existing MCP and other settings. Authentication must be `gemini-api-key`:

```json
{
  "security": { "auth": { "selectedType": "gemini-api-key" } },
  "general": { "defaultApprovalMode": "default" },
  "context": { "fileName": "GEMINI.md" }
}
```

### Persist settings for future launches

Create and open the user configuration file. On macOS:

```bash
mkdir -p ~/.gemini
touch ~/.gemini/.env
open -e ~/.gemini/.env
```

On Windows PowerShell:

```powershell
New-Item -ItemType Directory -Force "$env:USERPROFILE\.gemini" | Out-Null
if (-not (Test-Path "$env:USERPROFILE\.gemini\.env")) {
  New-Item -ItemType File "$env:USERPROFILE\.gemini\.env" | Out-Null
}
notepad "$env:USERPROFILE\.gemini\.env"
```

Save these three lines, replacing placeholders with your Passion8 key and enabled model ID. Update existing entries with the same names instead of appending duplicates:

```dotenv
GEMINI_API_KEY=replace-with-your-Passion8-key
GOOGLE_GEMINI_BASE_URL=https://passion8.cc
GEMINI_MODEL=replace-with-an-enabled-Gemini-model-ID
```

Save, exit the old CLI, open a new terminal and run `gemini`. This is user-level configuration; keep real keys outside project Git history. Existing shell variables, project `.env` files and project `.gemini/settings.json` can override it, so check conflicts after switching providers.

### Option B: CC Switch

1. Install the desktop app from [CC Switch releases](https://github.com/farion1231/cc-switch/releases).
2. Select **Gemini CLI**, add a provider and choose **Custom Configuration**, not Google Official.
3. Set the name to `Passion8`, enter the Passion8 key, use `https://passion8.cc` as the endpoint, and select an enabled model ID.
4. Review the configuration, save and activate the provider. Third-party providers use API key authentication.
5. Exit the old CLI and restart the terminal or Gemini CLI. Direct mode is sufficient for this native Gemini endpoint; protocol conversion is not required.

The relevant configuration preview should look like:

```json
{
  "env": {
    "GEMINI_API_KEY": "replace-with-your-Passion8-key",
    "GOOGLE_GEMINI_BASE_URL": "https://passion8.cc",
    "GEMINI_MODEL": "replace-with-an-enabled-Gemini-model-ID"
  }
}
```

Choose either manual configuration or CC Switch as your configuration source. Remove previously exported stale keys or endpoints before restarting so they do not override CC Switch's files.

## 4. Verify the connection first

Restart `gemini` and enter:

```text
Reply only OK. Do not read files or run commands.
```

After receiving an answer, check the request time, model and usage in the [Passion8 console](https://passion8.cc). A normal answer plus the matching console record verifies this request used Passion8. If Google OAuth appears, return to step 3 and check `gemini-api-key` and stale configuration. For model errors, verify the complete ID enabled on Passion8.

## Advanced: configure project context


Save this in the repository root, then add actual build and test commands for your project. Do not impose Node-specific assumptions on another stack.

```markdown
# Project instructions

- Read package.json before choosing build or test commands.
- Use the package manager specified by the lockfile.
- Keep changes limited to the requested task.
- Do not edit generated files or commit credentials.
- After a change, run the relevant existing test and report the command/result.
- If a required command is absent, report it instead of inventing a successful run.
```

Run `/memory show` inside the CLI to inspect loaded instructions. After editing the file, run `/memory refresh`. If it is absent, check your working directory, filename and context settings.

## Advanced: run a project task

Start with: “Inspect this repository read-only. Identify startup commands, test entry points and one file suitable for a small change. Do not edit.” After checking the result, request a specific task, such as: “Add one defined edge case to the existing string utility, follow the current test style, run the relevant test and explain the diff.”

Review file and command approval prompts. Afterwards, inspect the repository yourself:

```bash
git diff --stat
git diff
git status --short
```

Acceptance requires a relevant diff and actual test results, not only a completion message. If the project has no test command, record the missing verification explicitly.

## Troubleshooting

| Problem | Diagnostic step |
| --- | --- |
| Unauthorized after login | Match authentication mode and key provider, then restart |
| Model not found | Copy the full model ID from Passion8, verify account group, access and endpoint, then update GEMINI_MODEL and restart |
| Instructions ignored | Use `/memory show` to confirm the file was loaded |
| Unrelated changes | Narrow the task and review the diff |
| Custom endpoint returns 404 | Verify native Gemini protocol and API root; changing only the key is insufficient |

## Official sources and verification

Checked: 2026-10-11

- [Gemini CLI migration and retained API key access](https://developers.googleblog.com/an-important-update-transitioning-gemini-cli-to-antigravity-cli/)
- [Current Code Assist status](https://developers.google.com/gemini-code-assist/docs/set-up-gemini)
- [Installation](https://geminicli.com/docs/get-started/installation/)
- [Authentication](https://geminicli.com/docs/get-started/authentication/)
- [Configuration](https://geminicli.com/docs/reference/configuration/)

- [CC Switch provider configuration](https://github.com/farion1231/cc-switch/blob/main/docs/user-manual/en/2-providers/2.1-add.md)