/ask-gemini

name: ask-gemini
description: Use when a Codex or generic local agent needs a focused second opinion from Gemini CLI without MCP routing.

Ask Gemini

Purpose

Use local Gemini CLI as an external advisor for brainstorming, design feedback, or focused reviews. The workflow is local-first and always leaves a Markdown artifact.

When to Use

• Need a Gemini second opinion from Codex App or another shell-capable agent.
• Want reviewable output from `gemini -p` saved for later.
• Do not use when Gemini CLI is missing or unauthenticated.
• Do not use as an MCP fallback.

**For multi-turn advisory sessions** (persistent context across follow-ups), use `relay-gemini` instead — `apx relay start <name> --provider gemini` keeps context across turns.

Inputs

• A specific prompt or task.
• Local `gemini` command available in PATH.
• Optional artifact directory.

Workflow

Run through APX:

apx ask-gemini "Brainstorm edge cases for this CLI"

Equivalent nested APX and direct CLI calls:

apx ask gemini "Brainstorm edge cases for this CLI"

gemini -p "Brainstorm edge cases for this CLI"

If `gemini` is missing, stop and ask the user to install/configure Gemini CLI. Verify with:

gemini --version

Output

APX writes:

.apx/artifacts/gemini-<slug>-<timestamp>.md

Artifact sections:

• Original user task
• Final prompt sent to Gemini CLI
• Gemini output (raw)
• Concise summary
• Action items / next steps

Verification

apx check ask-gemini
apx ask-gemini "Return OK only" --json

Confirm JSON includes `provider`, `artifactPath`, `promptLength`, and raw output in `stdout`. Open the artifact before applying advice.

Failure Modes

• **Missing CLI**: do not use MCP; ask user to install/configure `gemini`.
• **Auth failure**: keep artifact if APX created one, report CLI stderr.
• **Broad prompt**: narrow the question before running to avoid noisy advice.