---
title: "Gemini CLI"
description: "Configure IBM i MCP Server with Google's Gemini CLI"
---
The Gemini CLI provides command-line access to Google's Gemini AI models with MCP server support for enhanced capabilities.
<Note>
**Platform Support**: macOS, Linux, Windows
**Transport Modes**: Stdio (local) and HTTP (remote)
**Configuration**: `~/.gemini/settings.json`
</Note>
## Configuration File Location
Gemini CLI stores its MCP server configuration at:
```bash
~/.gemini/settings.json
```
Where `~` is your home directory.
## Local (Stdio) Setup
**Step 1: Install Gemini CLI** (if not already installed)
```bash
# Follow installation instructions from Gemini CLI documentation
```
**Step 2: Edit settings file**
Open `~/.gemini/settings.json` and add the following to the `mcpServers` object:
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"ibmi-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["@ibm/ibmi-mcp-server@latest", "-y", "--tools", "/absolute/path/to/tools"],
"env": {
"DB2i_HOST": "your-ibmi-host.com",
"DB2i_USER": "your-username",
"DB2i_PASS": "your-password",
"DB2i_PORT": "8076",
"MCP_TRANSPORT_TYPE": "stdio"
}
}
}
}
```
<Warning>
The `--tools` path must be an **absolute path**, not relative.
</Warning>
## Remote (HTTP) Setup
For connecting to a remote IBM i MCP Server:
**Step 1: Start remote server**
```bash
# On server machine
npm run start:http
```
**Step 2: Obtain access token**
```bash
node get-access-token.js --verbose
```
**Step 3: Edit settings file**
Add to `~/.gemini/settings.json`:
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"ibmi-mcp": {
"url": "http://localhost:3010/mcp",
"type": "http",
"headers": {
"Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN_HERE"
}
}
}
}
```
<Tip>
**Production**: Replace `http://localhost:3010` with your production server URL and use HTTPS.
</Tip>
## Testing the Connection
After configuration:
```bash
# Start Gemini CLI
gemini
# Ask about available tools
> What tools are available?
# Test IBM i integration
> Show me the IBM i system status
```
## Multiple Servers
You can configure multiple MCP servers for different purposes:
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"ibmi-dev": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["@ibm/ibmi-mcp-server@latest", "-y", "--tools", "/path/to/dev-tools"],
"env": {
"DB2i_HOST": "dev-ibmi.company.com",
"DB2i_USER": "devuser",
"DB2i_PASS": "devpass",
"MCP_TRANSPORT_TYPE": "stdio"
}
},
"ibmi-prod": {
"url": "https://prod-mcp.company.com/mcp",
"type": "http",
"headers": {
"Authorization": "Bearer PROD_TOKEN"
}
}
}
}
```
## Troubleshooting
<AccordionGroup>
<Accordion title="Server Not Found">
**Solutions**:
- Verify `~/.gemini/settings.json` exists and has valid JSON
- Check that `npx -y @ibm/ibmi-mcp-server@latest` works from terminal
- Ensure Node.js and npm are in PATH
- Restart Gemini CLI after configuration changes
</Accordion>
<Accordion title="Tools Not Loading">
**Solutions**:
- Verify tools path is absolute: `/full/path/to/tools`
- Check YAML files are valid
- Ensure IBM i credentials are correct
- Verify Mapepire is running on IBM i
</Accordion>
<Accordion title="Authentication Failed (Remote)">
**Solutions**:
- Confirm server is running with auth enabled
- Verify token hasn't expired
- Get fresh token: `node get-access-token.js --verbose`
- Check Authorization header format
</Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>
## Custom Toolsets
Load specific toolsets for focused workflows:
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"ibmi-performance": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"@ibm/ibmi-mcp-server@latest", "-y",
"--tools", "/path/to/tools",
"--toolsets", "performance,monitoring"
],
"env": {
"DB2i_HOST": "your-ibmi-host.com",
"DB2i_USER": "your-username",
"DB2i_PASS": "your-password",
"MCP_TRANSPORT_TYPE": "stdio"
}
}
}
}
```
## Next Steps
<CardGroup cols={2}>
<Card title="SQL Tools" icon="database" href="/sql-tools/overview">
Create custom SQL operations
</Card>
<Card title="Configuration" icon="gear" href="/configuration">
Explore all configuration options
</Card>
<Card title="Quick Start" icon="rocket" href="/quickstart">
Basic server setup
</Card>
<Card title="Other Clients" icon="grid" href="/clients/overview">
Explore other MCP clients
</Card>
</CardGroup>
## Additional Resources
- [Gemini CLI MCP Documentation](https://geminicli.com/docs/tools/mcp-server/)
- [Gemini CLI Installation](https://google-gemini.github.io/gemini-cli/)
- [IBM i MCP Quick Start](/quickstart)