GEMINI.md context files provide instructional context to the Gemini model so you do not repeat instructions in each prompt. Gemini CLI loads global, workspace and just-in-time files, concatenates them and sends them with every prompt.
What it does
Where GEMINI.md runs and what it adds, from its documentation
Loads global context from ~/.gemini/GEMINI.md
Searches workspace directories and parents for GEMINI.md
Loads just-in-time GEMINI.md files when a tool accesses a directory
Imports other files with @file.md syntax
/memory show and /memory reload inspect and refresh loaded context
File name configurable via context.fileName in settings.json
When to use it
Good fit
You want project coding style and instructions applied to every Gemini CLI prompt
You want component-specific instructions loaded only when relevant
You want one set of shared instructions via a custom file name such as AGENTS.md
Not for
Saving individual facts on demand: the docs point to the Memory tool
How to install GEMINI.md
You need: Gemini CLI
Create GEMINI.md at the project root (or ~/.gemini/GEMINI.md for global)
Add general instructions and coding style as markdown
Optionally import files with @./components/instructions.md
