Gemini CLI

This example runs the official scoped Gemini CLI package inside a disposable Node.js microVM. The project is mounted from your host, while Gemini authentication and settings live on the sandbox’s root disk.

Run Gemini CLI

Start Gemini CLI

msb run -t --name gemini-demo --replace \
  --cpus 2 --memory 2G --root-disk 4G \
  --mount-dir ./my-project:/workspace:rw \
  --workdir /workspace \
  node:24-bookworm-slim -- sh -lc '
    apt-get update &&
    apt-get install -y --no-install-recommends ca-certificates git &&
    npm install -g @google/gemini-cli@0.52.0 &&
    exec gemini
  '

msb run -t --name gemini-demo --replace `
  --cpus 2 --memory 2G --root-disk 4G `
  --mount-dir ./my-project:/workspace:rw `
  --workdir /workspace `
  node:24-bookworm-slim -- sh -lc '
    apt-get update &&
    apt-get install -y --no-install-recommends ca-certificates git &&
    npm install -g @google/gemini-cli@0.52.0 &&
    exec gemini
  '

Gemini CLI first asks whether you trust the workspace. Review the mounted project, then continue to authentication.

For an isolated workspace, or when using microsandbox cloud, replace --mount-dir ./my-project:/workspace:rw with --copy-dir ./my-project:/workspace.

Install the scoped package exactly as shown: @google/gemini-cli. Do not substitute similarly named unscoped packages.

Start another session

After leaving Gemini CLI, return to the same sandbox and workspace with:

msb exec -t gemini-demo -- gemini

Verify the installation

Exit the TUI and run:

msb exec gemini-demo -- gemini --version

The pinned example prints 0.52.0.

Review or export changes

With the default writable mount, changes are already in the host checkout. Review them inside the sandbox:

msb exec gemini-demo -- sh -lc 'cd /workspace && git status --short && git diff --stat && git diff'

If you chose the isolated --copy-dir alternative, create a patch inside the sandbox:

msb exec gemini-demo -- sh -lc 'cd /workspace && git add -N . && git diff --binary > /tmp/gemini.patch'

Copy the patch to the host:

msb cp gemini-demo:/tmp/gemini.patch ./gemini.patch

Check that it applies cleanly before applying it:

git apply --check ./gemini.patch

Clean up

Remove the sandbox:

msb rm -f gemini-demo

Removing the sandbox also removes its Gemini authentication and settings. Changes made through the default workspace mount remain in the host checkout.

Reference

Gemini CLI installation

Agents

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Run Gemini CLI

Reference

​Run Gemini CLI

​Reference

Run Gemini CLI

Reference