feat(cli): add update command to auto-upgrade based on package manager by roy-abir05 · Pull Request #21426 · google-gemini/gemini-cli

roy-abir05 · 2026-03-06T17:53:13Z

Summary

Introduces a new gemini update subcommand that automatically detects the CLI's installation package manager (npm, brew, yarn, bun, pnpm) and executes the corresponding upgrade command. This reduces friction for users who frequently switch between package managers and eliminates the need to remember their original installation method.

Details

Wires updateCommand into the main Yargs router (config.ts).
Uses the existing getInstallationInfo utility to find the package manager, safely aborts for local/npx environments, and runs execSync with stdio: 'inherit'
Bypasses the interactive UI (argv['isCommand'] = true) and pipes logs through coreEvents.emitFeedback
Testing: Adds update.test.ts to mock child_process and verify execution paths

Related Issues

Fixes #21400

How to Validate

Run npm run build:all and link the binary locally.
Run gemini update
Observe the correct package manager detection (e.g., "Detected global installation via: npm...").
Verify the native upgrade command executes and completes successfully.
Run the test suite.
Verify edge case: run from a local git clone and ensure it gracefully prints "Running from a local git clone. Please update with 'git pull'." and exits with code 1.

Pre-Merge Checklist

gemini-code-assist · 2026-03-06T17:56:48Z

Summary of Changes

Hello, I'm Gemini Code Assist¹! I'm currently reviewing this pull request and will post my feedback shortly. In the meantime, here's a summary to help you and other reviewers quickly get up to speed!

This pull request enhances the Gemini CLI by adding a new update command. This command streamlines the upgrade process for users by automatically identifying how the CLI was installed and then running the appropriate package manager command to update it to the latest version. This change aims to reduce user friction and improve the overall maintainability of the CLI for end-users.

Highlights

New update subcommand: Introduced a new gemini update CLI command to simplify upgrading the Gemini CLI.
Automatic Package Manager Detection: The command automatically detects the CLI's installation package manager (e.g., npm, brew) and executes the correct upgrade command.
Graceful Handling of Installation Types: It safely aborts for local/npx environments, guiding users to update via git pull if installed from a local clone, and handles permission errors (EACCES) with specific guidance.
Integration and Testing: The updateCommand is wired into the main Yargs router, and comprehensive unit tests have been added to verify execution paths and error handling.

Changelog

packages/cli/src/commands/update.test.ts
- Added unit tests for the new update command, covering global installation detection, npm updates, and error handling.
packages/cli/src/commands/update.ts
- Implemented the core logic for the update command, which detects the installation method and executes the appropriate upgrade command.
packages/cli/src/config/config.ts
- Imported the updateCommand and registered it with the Yargs CLI configuration.

Activity

The author has added new tests for the update command.
The author has validated the changes on Linux via npm run.

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gemini-code-assist

Code Review

This pull request introduces a helpful gemini update command. The implementation is solid, but I've found a high-severity security issue in the error handling for permissions. The current implementation suggests an insecure practice to the user. My review includes a code suggestion to correct this by providing safer, more specific instructions and refactoring the code slightly for better error reporting.

roy-abir05 · 2026-03-07T10:42:55Z

/gemini review

gemini-code-assist

Code Review

This pull request introduces a gemini update command, which is a useful addition for improving the user experience of keeping the CLI up-to-date. The implementation is straightforward and includes good test coverage. The feedback regarding making the permission error message platform-aware, as the current suggestion to use sudo is not applicable on Windows, has been retained.

roy-abir05 · 2026-03-07T11:03:20Z

/gemini review

gemini-code-assist

Code Review

This pull request introduces a gemini update command to automate the CLI upgrade process. The new command detects the installation package manager and runs the corresponding update command. The implementation includes logic to handle cases where an automatic update is not possible, such as local development clones. Error handling is included for scenarios like permission failures, providing users with suggested next steps. The changes are accompanied by unit tests that validate the new command's behavior under various conditions. The implementation appears robust, and no high or critical severity issues were found.

gemini-cli · 2026-03-21T02:57:40Z

Hi there! Thank you for your interest in contributing to Gemini CLI.

To ensure we maintain high code quality and focus on our prioritized roadmap, we have updated our contribution policy (see Discussion #17383).

We only guarantee review and consideration of pull requests for issues that are explicitly labeled as 'help wanted'. All other community pull requests are subject to closure after 14 days if they do not align with our current focus areas. For this reason, we strongly recommend that contributors only submit pull requests against issues explicitly labeled as 'help-wanted'.

This pull request is being closed as it has been open for 14 days without a 'help wanted' designation. We encourage you to find and contribute to existing 'help wanted' issues in our backlog! Thank you for your understanding and for being part of our community!

cocosheng-g · 2026-04-09T17:47:40Z

@roy-abir05, apologies for the bot closing this PR! We have reopened it. Please sync your branch to the latest main and we will have someone review it shortly.

Co-authored-by: gemini-code-assist[bot] <176961590+gemini-code-assist[bot]@users.noreply.github.com>

roy-abir05 · 2026-04-10T12:28:24Z

Thanks for reopening this @cocosheng-g!
I have synced the branch with the latest main and resolved the merge conflicts. It is ready for review.

roy-abir05 · 2026-04-13T18:03:05Z

Hi @cocosheng-g!
Just giving this a gentle ping. I noticed the CI and E2E workflows are currently paused and require a maintainer's approval to run. Let me know if you need anything else from my end.

spencer426 · 2026-05-07T18:57:21Z

Thank you for your interest in contributing to the project! We are closing this PR as the associated issue was closed.

roy-abir05 requested a review from a team as a code owner March 6, 2026 17:53

gemini-code-assist Bot reviewed Mar 6, 2026

View reviewed changes

Comment thread packages/cli/src/commands/update.ts Outdated

gemini-cli Bot added the area/core Issues related to User Interface, OS Support, Core Functionality label Mar 6, 2026

gemini-code-assist Bot reviewed Mar 7, 2026

View reviewed changes

Comment thread packages/cli/src/commands/update.ts Outdated

gemini-code-assist Bot reviewed Mar 7, 2026

View reviewed changes

github-actions Bot mentioned this pull request Mar 7, 2026

📊 AI CLI 工具社区动态日报 2026-03-07 compasify/agents-radar#4

Open

gemini-cli Bot added the priority/p2 Important but can be addressed in a future release. label Mar 11, 2026

gemini-cli Bot closed this Mar 21, 2026

cocosheng-g reopened this Apr 9, 2026

cocosheng-g assigned roy-abir05 Apr 9, 2026

cocosheng-g mentioned this pull request Apr 9, 2026

Add an update command #21400

Closed

gemini-cli Bot added the help wanted We will accept PRs from all issues marked as "help wanted". Thanks for your support! label Apr 9, 2026

roy-abir05 and others added 3 commits April 10, 2026 17:46

feat(cli): add update command to auto-upgrade based on package manager

f2896ad

fix(cli): resolve security anti-pattern in sudo error suggestion

fd61f75

fix(cli): make permission error message platform-aware for Windows

3140d48

Co-authored-by: gemini-code-assist[bot] <176961590+gemini-code-assist[bot]@users.noreply.github.com>

roy-abir05 force-pushed the feat/add-update-command branch from 88c11c4 to 3140d48 Compare April 10, 2026 12:18

spencer426 closed this May 7, 2026

sripasg added the size/m A medium sized PR label Jun 2, 2026

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feat(cli): add update command to auto-upgrade based on package manager - #21426

feat(cli): add update command to auto-upgrade based on package manager#21426
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roy-abir05 commented Mar 6, 2026

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