---
title: Gemini CLI
description: Use Gemini CLI with a Lovely Router API key: set the base URL and key in two environment variables and pick a Gemini model.
---

Gemini CLI is Google's open-source AI agent for the terminal. It calls the Gemini API, which Lovely Router serves natively, so two environment variables point it at Lovely Router. You need an [API key](/app/keys) first.

## Set up in one click

On the [API keys](/app/keys) page, use **Use in tools** → **Gemini CLI**. The dialog shows the setup below with your key filled in, and **Import with CC Switch** adds Lovely Router as a provider in the [CC Switch](https://github.com/farion1231/cc-switch) desktop app, with the models already set. CC Switch must be installed.

Right after you create a key, the dialog already contains it. For an existing key, paste the full key into the dialog: Lovely Router stores only a hash, so it can't show the key again.

## Set the base URL and key

Set the base URL and key, and pick a model:

```bash title="Shell"
export GOOGLE_GEMINI_BASE_URL=https://lovelyrouter.com
export GEMINI_API_KEY=$LOVELY_API_KEY
gemini -m gemini-3.1-pro
```

## Choose a model

`-m` picks the model. Any Gemini model id from `GET /v1/models` works, such as `gemini-3.1-pro` or `gemini-3-flash`. The [model list](/models) has every id.

## Add data tools over MCP

The MCP server at `https://lovelyrouter.com/mcp` gives Gemini CLI the [data tools](/docs/tools) and the [browser agent](/docs/browser-agent), billed from the same balance. It authenticates with the same key:

```bash
gemini mcp add --transport http lovely https://lovelyrouter.com/mcp \
  --header "Authorization: Bearer $LOVELY_API_KEY"
```

This adds it to `.gemini/settings.json` in the current project. Add `--scope user` to use it in every project. Run `gemini mcp list` to check it. For the full list of tools, see [MCP server](/docs/tools/mcp).

## Troubleshooting

| Symptom | Fix |
| --- | --- |
| `401` with `Missing API key` | Gemini CLI isn't sending the key. Check that `GEMINI_API_KEY` is exported in the shell that starts `gemini`. |
| `401` with `Invalid or revoked API key` | The key is mistyped, truncated or revoked. Paste it again, or create a new one. |
| `404` with `Model '...' is not available` | The model id doesn't exist. Copy a Gemini model id from `GET /v1/models` or the [model list](/models). |
| `404` with `Unknown endpoint /v1/v1beta/...` | `GOOGLE_GEMINI_BASE_URL` ends in `/v1`, and Gemini CLI adds the version path itself. Set it to `https://lovelyrouter.com`. |
| `402` | Your balance is empty or the key reached its spend limit. See [Credits & billing](/docs/account/billing). |

Every other status is covered in [Errors](/docs/api/errors).