SpecDDHow to set up Gemini CLI for SpecDD
This guide shows you how to set up Gemini CLI for SpecDD using universal Agent Skills.
Gemini CLI is listed as an Agent Skills-compatible client in the SpecDD tools reference, so the portable Agent Skills package is the right setup path.
Source and install details: github.com/specdd/agentskills
Prerequisites
Before you start, make sure you have:
- Gemini CLI installed
- the SpecDD CLI installed
- a project initialized with SpecDD, or a project where you can initialize it
Steps
1. Initialize the project
From the selected content root:
specdd init
Then create or confirm the root .sdd file named after that directory.
2. Deploy SpecDD Agent Skills
Install skills into the current project’s Agent Skills directory:
specdd agentskills deploy
The skills are installed into:
.agents/skills
3. Deploy into another project directory
Install into another project path:
specdd agentskills deploy path/to/project
Use this when you are preparing a repository before starting Gemini CLI there.
4. Use user-level or manual install
For a user-level install:
specdd agentskills deploy --user
That installs into:
~/.agents/skills
Use the install location your Gemini CLI setup reads.
For manual installation, clone the universal Agent Skills package and copy the specdd-* skill directories into the
target skills directory Gemini CLI reads.
5. Start Gemini CLI in the project root
Run Gemini CLI from the folder that contains .specdd/bootstrap.md.
SpecDD inheritance depends on the target path and selected content root. Starting in the wrong folder makes it easier for an agent to miss the root spec or resolve paths incorrectly.
6. Verify orientation
Use a small request:
Orient in this SpecDD project.
Then ask about a real local spec:
Explain the Itinerary spec.
The response should describe relevant specs and constraints, not only summarize files.
7. Use narrow implementation prompts
Use one task at a time:
Plan the Itinerary validation change.
Implement the open validation task.
Common mistakes
- Deploying skills to
.agents/skillswhen your Gemini CLI setup only reads user-level skills. - Manually copying the wrong directory instead of the
specdd-*skills. - Starting Gemini CLI outside the selected content root.
- Skipping the orientation check after deployment.
How to verify the result
Gemini CLI is ready for SpecDD when:
- the SpecDD skills are installed in the skills directory Gemini CLI reads
- the project contains
.specdd/bootstrap.md - orientation names the active SpecDD context
- implementation plans identify authority, constraints, and checks
Related how-tos
- How to install SpecDD universal Agent Skills for any agent
- How to verify an agent has loaded SpecDD skills correctly
- How to use spec-driven development with humans and agents