The gemini chat command doesn’t exist as a separate command in the current Gemini CLI implementation. Instead, the primary way to interact with Gemini CLI is through the main gemini command, which launches an interactive chat interface by default. When you run gemini in your terminal, it starts an interactive session where you can have ongoing conversations with the AI, ask questions, request code generation, debug issues, and perform various development tasks through natural language interactions.
The interactive mode that launches with the gemini command provides all the chat functionality you would expect, including multi-turn conversations, context retention throughout the session, and the ability to reference files and directories using the @ syntax. This interactive chat interface is the core experience of Gemini CLI, designed to feel like having a conversation with an AI assistant directly in your terminal. The session maintains context throughout your interaction, remembers previous exchanges, and can build upon earlier parts of the conversation to provide increasingly refined and contextual assistance.
For users who prefer non-interactive, single-query interactions, Gemini CLI provides the -p or --prompt flag that allows you to send a single prompt and receive a response without entering the interactive chat mode. For example, gemini -p "Explain this error message" will process your prompt and return a response directly to your terminal. This approach is useful for scripting, automation, or when you just need a quick answer without starting a full conversation session. The flexibility between interactive chat mode and single-prompt mode makes Gemini CLI adaptable to different workflows, whether you need extended problem-solving sessions or quick, automated responses integrated into scripts and development workflows.