Yes, Gemini CLI is specifically designed to work with existing codebases and can query and edit large projects even beyond Gemini’s 1 million token context window. The tool excels at understanding and navigating complex existing projects, making it an ideal assistant for developers working on mature codebases. You can start using it immediately by navigating to any existing project directory and running the gemini command to begin interacting with your codebase. The CLI can analyze your project structure, understand dependencies, and provide context-aware assistance based on your existing code patterns and architecture.
Gemini CLI can perform sophisticated operations on existing codebases, including giving summaries of recent changes, describing system architecture, analyzing security mechanisms, and implementing solutions for specific GitHub issues. It understands Git history and can provide insights about code changes, making it valuable for code reviews and understanding project evolution. The tool can also help with migration tasks, such as upgrading codebases to newer language versions, starting with comprehensive planning before implementation. This makes it particularly useful for maintaining and modernizing legacy systems where understanding the full scope of changes is critical.
The tool integrates seamlessly with existing development workflows through its support for MCP servers and customizable configurations. You can customize prompts and instructions through GEMINI.md files to tailor Gemini for your specific project needs and team workflows. This means you can establish project-specific conventions and coding standards that Gemini CLI will follow when working with your existing codebase. The tool also supports non-interactive invocation within scripts, allowing you to integrate it into your existing CI/CD pipelines and automated workflows. Whether you’re working with a small personal project or a large enterprise codebase, Gemini CLI adapts to your existing structure and enhances your development process without requiring significant changes to your current workflow.