Gemini CLI is quietly becoming one of the most powerful tools in a developer’s arsenal. Designed by Google, it’s more than just a terminal-based AI assistant—it’s an end-to-end productivity enhancer for modern devs. Whether you’re writing code, managing repos, or organizing your files, Gemini CLI brings AI to your fingertips with commands that feel like magic.
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I decided to dig deeper into Gemini CLI’s lesser-known capabilities. These 7 tips are guaranteed to boost your workflow, save time, and make your terminal sessions feel futuristic.
1. Rename Images Based on Content
If your project folder is filled with screenshots or image assets named like IMG_1234.jpg or Screen Shot 2025-06-25 at 14.22.05.png, Gemini CLI can scan the actual content of the images and automatically rename them using relevant and descriptive terms.
Whether it’s a login screen, a chart, or a product photo, Gemini recognizes it and applies a meaningful label. This makes asset organization dramatically easier, especially in UI/UX projects, datasets, or CMS pipelines.
2. Convert YouTube Tutorials into Step-by-Step Shell Commands
Instead of switching between tabs to follow complex dev tutorials on YouTube, Gemini CLI can analyze the video content and return clear, actionable shell commands or annotated notes.
Paste the YouTube link, and in seconds you’ll get an outline of what the tutorial does—including commands, explanations, and even optional dependencies or setup steps. It’s a game-changer for setting up local environments, ML pipelines, and coding walkthroughs.
3. Auto-Analyze and Close Spam PRs in Your GitHub Repo
Maintaining popular open-source repositories can quickly become a chore—especially when flooded with spammy or low-effort pull requests. Gemini CLI works with GitHub CLI to scan open PRs, identify which ones lack meaningful diffs or descriptions, and auto-close them with helpful feedback.
For developers running community-led projects, this feature is a major timesaver. It ensures your contributors see clean, relevant activity and reduces the mental burden of manual triage.
4. Chain Prompts with /mcp for Multi-Step Workflows
Gemini CLI isn’t just about simple prompts. Using the /mcp command unlocks multi-chain prompts, allowing you to define a series of tasks that build on one another.
For example, you can write a prompt to:
- Generate backend code,
- Write the associated test cases,
- Create OpenAPI docs, and
- Push to a GitHub branch.
All in one shot.
This is perfect for scaffolding microservices, generating content pipelines, or handling repetitive dev workflows with precision and speed.
5. Discover Hidden Features Using /tools
Gemini CLI includes dozens of built-in tools that are not immediately visible to users unless they explore the /tools command. From log analyzers and regex builders to Docker diagnostics and code reviewers, this hidden toolbox can supercharge your dev process.
You don’t have to remember every command—just run /tools, pick what you need, and let Gemini handle the rest. It’s like unlocking a vault of developer utilities powered by AI.
6. Talk to Your Terminal Using Shell Mode
Gemini’s shell mode allows you to interact with your system using plain language. Instead of Googling “how to kill a process on port 3000,” you can just ask Gemini directly.
It translates your natural language queries into executable shell commands, runs them if permitted, and provides context if something breaks. This is ideal for new devs, multi-taskers, or anyone who hates switching mental context between docs and terminal commands.
7. Explain Code and Auto-Generate Architecture Diagrams
Gemini CLI can break down code and return not just an explanation, but also a visual representation of the architecture. Whether you’re working with Python scripts, Node.js apps, or multi-service deployments, Gemini can analyze the structure and show you how the parts connect.
This is especially powerful for onboarding new developers, documenting systems for handoff, or debugging unfamiliar codebases.
Final Thoughts
These aren’t just fun tricks, they’re transformative. Gemini CLI is shaping up to be more than a productivity boost, it’s a new layer in how we interface with our development environments.
If you’ve only used Gemini CLI for simple prompts or code generation, I highly recommend diving into these features. The combination of automation, contextual awareness, and terminal-level access turns you into a superhuman developer.
Gemini CLI isn’t the future. It’s the present, and it’s already insanely good.
