Gemini CLI Setup using a Google Workspace Account

2025, June 26th - by Ricardo Guzman

Gemini CLI was just released, I haven’t really tried any other CLI agent like “Claude Code” or “Codex”, but when Gemini CLI dropped I went and installed it.

I’m a paying user of Google Workspaces so I said “Sure I can take advantage from what I’m already paying for to get some good limits with this tool”, that’s why I wanted to use my Google Workspaces Account.

But during the installation I didn’t know that you had to go through different steps when using the CLI through a Workspaces Account.

Setup Google Cloud Account

First of all make sure you’re logged in with your workspace account, the one with your business domain -> @yourdomain.com

Now, you’ll have to create a Google Cloud account in case you don’t have one with the current email already.

Google gives you $300 worth of credits for cloud projects that you can use for the next 90 days until they expire in case you didn’t use them.

You’ll have to setup a payment method to get an account but don’t worry, you won’t get charged anything unless you create some cloud projects.

Cloud works pay-as-you-go for projects, that’s why they require you a payment method.

Create Gemini CLI Project

Now on the top-left of the home page, right next to the “Google Cloud” logo, there’s the project you’re in right now.

It will probably show as “My First Project”.

Click there to create a new project, or you can open the same panel by typing Cmd + oon Mac or Ctrl + oon Windows.

Now you’re in a panel that says “Select a resource”, here you must make sure you select your business domain organization to create a new project under that organization.

NOTE: If you don’t select your organization, later you won’t be able to create the project

Now, that you selected your organization, on the top-right click on “New Project”.

Here you just have to give a name to your project, choose any you like, don’t overthink it, use Gemini CLI or something related.

Then hit Create.

Turning On Gemini Service

Great, you have your project create.

Select your new project at the top of your Google Cloud Console 🌐.

Go to the API Library by using the search bar, type -> Gemini for Google Cloud.

Click on the Gemini for Google Cloud from the list and now you’ll be on its page.

Click Enable

Now the Gemini service is turned on in your project, you can use it.

Getting the project ID

Click on Hamburger Button > Cloud Overview > Dashboard.

Get to the Dashboard.

Select your Gemini CLI project.

Now you’ll see below Project Infoyour Project ID.

Copy that in your clipboard and save it, we’ll use it later.

Installing Gemini CLI

Go to Gemini CLI GitHub

Follow the installation process.

If you want to be able to use the geminicommand on a regular basis you must follow the npm install -gapproach.

Configuring Gemini CLI

Open your terminal and run:

export GOOGLE_CLOUD_PROJECT="your-project-id-goes-here"

We’re setting up an environment variable that Gemini CLI will use later for Authentication.

You can make this environment variable permanent by adding it directly to your shell’s startup file. If you don’t permanently add the environment variable, you’ll have to run the exportcommand every time you want to use the Gemini CLI.

Now, run the geminicommand in case you followed the npm install -g installation process, or run npx https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-clito get to the login part.

Now you only have to select Login with Google.

It’ll take you to the usual login page from google.

Select your workspace account, and that’s it.

Gemini CLI identifies your environment variable and you’re already in.

Enjoy Gemini CLI 💥.