System Prompt Override (GEMINI_SYSTEM_MD)

The core system instructions that guide Gemini CLI can be completely replaced with your own Markdown file. This feature is controlled via the

GEMINI_SYSTEM_MD

environment variable.

Overview

The

GEMINI_SYSTEM_MD

variable instructs the CLI to use an external Markdown file for its system prompt, completely overriding the built-in default. This is a full replacement, not a merge. If you use a custom file, none of the original core instructions will apply unless you include them yourself.

This feature is intended for advanced users who need to enforce strict, project-specific behavior or create a customized persona.

Tip: You can export the current default system prompt to a file first, review it, and then selectively modify or replace it (see “Export the default prompt”).

How to enable

You can set the environment variable temporarily in your shell, or persist it via a

.gemini/.env

file. See Persisting Environment Variables.

Use the project default path (
```
.gemini/system.md
```
):
- ```
GEMINI_SYSTEM_MD=true
```
  or
```
GEMINI_SYSTEM_MD=1
```
- The CLI reads
```
./.gemini/system.md
```
  (relative to your current project directory).
Use a custom file path:
- ```
GEMINI_SYSTEM_MD=/absolute/path/to/my-system.md
```
- Relative paths are supported and resolved from the current working directory.
- Tilde expansion is supported (e.g.,
```
~/my-system.md
```
  ).
Disable the override (use built‑in prompt):
- ```
GEMINI_SYSTEM_MD=false
```
  or
```
GEMINI_SYSTEM_MD=0
```
  or unset the variable.

If the override is enabled but the target file does not exist, the CLI will error with:

missing system prompt file '<path>'

Quick examples

One‑off session using a project file:
- ```
GEMINI_SYSTEM_MD=1 gemini
```

Persist for a project using

.gemini/.env

Create

.gemini/system.md

, then add to

.gemini/.env

```
GEMINI_SYSTEM_MD=1
```

Use a custom file under your home directory:
- ```
GEMINI_SYSTEM_MD=~/prompts/SYSTEM.md gemini
```

UI indicator

When

GEMINI_SYSTEM_MD

is active, the CLI shows a

|⌐■_■|

indicator in the UI to signal custom system‑prompt mode.

Export the default prompt (recommended)

Before overriding, export the current default prompt so you can review required safety and workflow rules.

Write the built‑in prompt to the project default path:
- ```
GEMINI_WRITE_SYSTEM_MD=1 gemini
```

Or write to a custom path:

GEMINI_WRITE_SYSTEM_MD=~/prompts/DEFAULT_SYSTEM.md gemini

This creates the file and writes the current built‑in system prompt to it.

Best practices: SYSTEM.md vs GEMINI.md

SYSTEM.md (firmware):
- Non‑negotiable operational rules: safety, tool‑use protocols, approvals, and mechanics that keep the CLI reliable.
- Stable across tasks and projects (or per project when needed).
GEMINI.md (strategy):
- Persona, goals, methodologies, and project/domain context.
- Evolves per task; relies on SYSTEM.md for safe execution.

Keep SYSTEM.md minimal but complete for safety and tool operation. Keep GEMINI.md focused on high‑level guidance and project specifics.

Troubleshooting

Error:
```
missing system prompt file '…'
```
- Ensure the referenced path exists and is readable.
- For
```
GEMINI_SYSTEM_MD=1|true
```
  , create
```
./.gemini/system.md
```
  in your project.
Override not taking effect
- Confirm the variable is loaded (use
```
.gemini/.env
```
  or export in your shell).
- Paths are resolved from the current working directory; try an absolute path.
Restore defaults
- Unset
```
GEMINI_SYSTEM_MD
```
  or set it to
```
0
```
  /
```
false
```
  .

System Prompt Override (GEMINI_SYSTEM_MD)

The core system instructions that guide Gemini CLI can be completely replaced with your own Markdown file. This feature is controlled via the

GEMINI_SYSTEM_MD

environment variable.

Overview

The

GEMINI_SYSTEM_MD

This feature is intended for advanced users who need to enforce strict, project-specific behavior or create a customized persona.

Tip: You can export the current default system prompt to a file first, review it, and then selectively modify or replace it (see “Export the default prompt”).

How to enable

You can set the environment variable temporarily in your shell, or persist it via a

.gemini/.env

file. See Persisting Environment Variables.

Use the project default path (
```
.gemini/system.md
```
):
- ```
GEMINI_SYSTEM_MD=true
```
  or
```
GEMINI_SYSTEM_MD=1
```
- The CLI reads
```
./.gemini/system.md
```
  (relative to your current project directory).
Use a custom file path:
- ```
GEMINI_SYSTEM_MD=/absolute/path/to/my-system.md
```
- Relative paths are supported and resolved from the current working directory.
- Tilde expansion is supported (e.g.,
```
~/my-system.md
```
  ).
Disable the override (use built‑in prompt):
- ```
GEMINI_SYSTEM_MD=false
```
  or
```
GEMINI_SYSTEM_MD=0
```
  or unset the variable.

If the override is enabled but the target file does not exist, the CLI will error with:

missing system prompt file '<path>'

Quick examples

One‑off session using a project file:
- ```
GEMINI_SYSTEM_MD=1 gemini
```

Persist for a project using

.gemini/.env

Create

.gemini/system.md

, then add to

.gemini/.env

```
GEMINI_SYSTEM_MD=1
```

Use a custom file under your home directory:
- ```
GEMINI_SYSTEM_MD=~/prompts/SYSTEM.md gemini
```

UI indicator

When

GEMINI_SYSTEM_MD

is active, the CLI shows a

|⌐■_■|

indicator in the UI to signal custom system‑prompt mode.

Export the default prompt (recommended)

Before overriding, export the current default prompt so you can review required safety and workflow rules.

Write the built‑in prompt to the project default path:
- ```
GEMINI_WRITE_SYSTEM_MD=1 gemini
```

Or write to a custom path:

GEMINI_WRITE_SYSTEM_MD=~/prompts/DEFAULT_SYSTEM.md gemini

This creates the file and writes the current built‑in system prompt to it.

Best practices: SYSTEM.md vs GEMINI.md

SYSTEM.md (firmware):
- Non‑negotiable operational rules: safety, tool‑use protocols, approvals, and mechanics that keep the CLI reliable.
- Stable across tasks and projects (or per project when needed).
GEMINI.md (strategy):
- Persona, goals, methodologies, and project/domain context.
- Evolves per task; relies on SYSTEM.md for safe execution.

Keep SYSTEM.md minimal but complete for safety and tool operation. Keep GEMINI.md focused on high‑level guidance and project specifics.

Troubleshooting

Error:
```
missing system prompt file '…'
```
- Ensure the referenced path exists and is readable.
- For
```
GEMINI_SYSTEM_MD=1|true
```
  , create
```
./.gemini/system.md
```
  in your project.
Override not taking effect
- Confirm the variable is loaded (use
```
.gemini/.env
```
  or export in your shell).
- Paths are resolved from the current working directory; try an absolute path.
Restore defaults
- Unset
```
GEMINI_SYSTEM_MD
```
  or set it to
```
0
```
  /
```
false
```
  .

System Prompt Override (GEMINI_SYSTEM_MD)

System Prompt Override (GEMINI_SYSTEM_MD)

Overview

How to enable

Quick examples

UI indicator

Export the default prompt (recommended)

Best practices: SYSTEM.md vs GEMINI.md

Troubleshooting

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System Prompt Override (GEMINI_SYSTEM_MD)

Overview

How to enable

Quick examples

UI indicator

Export the default prompt (recommended)

Best practices: SYSTEM.md vs GEMINI.md

Troubleshooting