PROVIDER GUIDE
Google Gemini
Run Gemini CLI as a background agent on your machine. CTRL NODE dispatches tasks via the Bridge using the ACP protocol — your files stay local, the output streams back live.
API key or CLI login ACP protocol Trusted folders auto-setup
Requirements
- ✓ Gemini CLI installed:
npm i -g @google/gemini-cli - ✓ Subscription mode — browser login via
gemini auth login. Free tier included, no API key needed. - ✓ API key mode — Google AI API key from aistudio.google.com.
- ✓ CTRL NODE Bridge installed on your machine (GitHub)
Quick start
Option A — Google account login
RecommendedRequires Gemini CLI — free tier included, no API key needed.
$npm install -g @google/gemini-cli
$gemini auth login # authenticate once
$ PAIRING_TOKEN=your-pairing-token ./ctrlnode
Option B — Google AI API key
$ PAIRING_TOKEN=your-pairing-token \
GEMINI_API_KEY=AIza… \
./ctrlnode
GEMINI_API_KEY=AIza… \
./ctrlnode
Get your key at aistudio.google.com.
.env file
PAIRING_TOKEN=your-pairing-token
# Browser login mode — no API key after gemini auth login
# OR: API key mode
GEMINI_API_KEY=AIza…
Environment variables
| Variable | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| GEMINI_API_KEY | No* | Google AI API key. Not needed if you used gemini auth login. |
How the Bridge dispatches to Gemini
When CTRL NODE dispatches a task to a Gemini agent:
- The Bridge connects to the Gemini CLI's ACP server running locally on your machine.
- It registers the agent workspace as a trusted folder (auto-setup on first run).
- Task instructions are submitted as a new Gemini session. Output streams back live.
- On completion, task status updates in the CTRL NODE dashboard.