Select your Gemini CLI model. The /model command opens a dialog where you can
configure the model used by Gemini CLI, giving you more control over your
results.
Use the following command in Gemini CLI:
/model
Running this command will open a dialog with your model options:
| Option | Description | Models |
|---|---|---|
| Auto (recommended) | Let the system choose the best model for your task. | gemini-3-pro-preview (if enabled), gemini-2.5-pro, gemini-2.5-flash, gemini-2.5-flash-lite |
| Pro | For complex tasks that require deep reasoning and creativity. | gemini-3-pro-preview (if enabled), gemini-2.5-pro |
| Flash | For tasks that need a balance of speed and reasoning. | gemini-2.5-flash |
| Flash-Lite | For simple tasks that need to be done quickly. | gemini-2.5-flash-lite |
Note: Gemini 3 is not currently available on all account types. To learn more about Gemini 3 access, refer to Gemini 3 Pro on Gemini CLI.
To enable Gemini 3 Pro (if available), enable
Preview features by using the settings command. Once
enabled, Gemini CLI will attempt to use Gemini 3 Pro when you select Auto or
Pro. Both Auto and Pro will try to use Gemini 3 Pro before falling
back to Gemini 2.5 Pro.
You can also use the --model flag to specify a particular Gemini model on
startup. For more details, refer to the
configuration documentation.
Changes to these settings will be applied to all subsequent interactions with Gemini CLI.
-
Default to Auto (recommended). For most users, the Auto (recommended) model provides a balance between speed and performance, automatically selecting the correct model based on the complexity of the task. Example: Developing a web application could include a mix of complex tasks (building architecture and scaffolding the project) and simple tasks (generating CSS).
-
Switch to Pro if you aren't getting the results you want. If you think you need your model to be a little "smarter," use Pro. Pro will provide you with the highest levels of reasoning and creativity. Example: A complex or multi-stage debugging task.
-
Switch to Flash or Flash-Lite if you need faster results. If you need a simple response quickly, Flash or Flash-Lite is the best option. Example: Converting a JSON object to a YAML string.