> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://ibm-d95bab6e.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Gemini CLI

> 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 theme={null}
~/.gemini/settings.json
```

Where `~` is your home directory.

## Local (Stdio) Setup

**Step 1: Install Gemini CLI** (if not already installed)

```bash theme={null}
# 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 theme={null}
{
  "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 theme={null}
# On server machine
npm run start:http
```

**Step 2: Obtain access token**

```bash theme={null}
node get-access-token.js --verbose
```

**Step 3: Edit settings file**

Add to `~/.gemini/settings.json`:

```json theme={null}
{
  "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 theme={null}
# 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 theme={null}
{
  "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 theme={null}
{
  "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)