title: Customizing Azure Cloud Shell for Cross Cloud Development
published: true
series: Azure
date: 2026-03-11 15:33:50 UTC
tags: googlecloudplatform,linux,azurecloudshell,geminicli
This article covers installing and Running Gemini CLI cross-cloud. The Azure Cloud Shell provides a basic Linux environment that can support running Gemini CLI.
What is Gemini CLI?
The Gemini CLI is an open-source, terminal-based AI agent from Google that allows developers to interact directly with Gemini models, such as Gemini 2.5 Pro, for coding, content creation, and workflow automation. It supports file operations, shell commands, and connects to external tools via the Model Context Protocol (MCP).
The full details on Gemini CLI are available here:
Build, debug & deploy with AI
Azure Cloud Shell
Azure Cloud Shell is a browser-based, authenticated terminal for managing Azure resources, accessible directly through the Azure portal, shell.azure.com, or the mobile app. It provides a preconfigured environment with Bash or PowerShell, eliminating local installation of tools. It runs on a temporary, secure, Linux-based host.
The full background information on the Cloud Shell is here:
https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/get-started/azure-portal/cloud-shell
More information is available here:
Get started with Azure Cloud Shell
Why would I want Gemini CLI on Azure? Isn’t that a Google Thing?
Yes- Gemini CLI leverages the Google Cloud console and Gemini models but it is also open source and platform agnostic. Many applications are already cross-cloud so this enables familiar tools to be run natively on Microsoft Azure.
Activating Azure CloudShell
The Azure CloudShell comes preinstalled on all Azure Accounts.
To access the shell — click the Terminal Icon in the upper right hand corner of the console:
Then activate the full shell:
Note- the disk space in the environment is limited to 5GB- but this is sufficient for Gemini CLI, Google Cloud Tools, and some customization.
Node Version Management
Gemini CLI needs a consistent, up to date version of Node. The nvm command can be used to get a standard Node environment:
GitHub - nvm-sh/nvm: Node Version Manager - POSIX-compliant bash script to manage multiple active node.js versions
Verifying Node.js in Azure Cloud Shell
The version of Node.js is verified that it is recent enough to support Gemini CLI:
william@Azure:~$ node --version
v25.8.1
william@Azure:~$ npm --version
11.11.0
william@Azure:~$
Gemini CLI Installation
You can then download the Gemini CLI :
npm install -g @google/gemini-cli
You will see the log messages:
william@Azure:~$ npm install -g @google/gemini-cli
npm warn deprecated prebuild-install@7.1.3: No longer maintained. Please contact the author of the relevant native addon; alternatives are available.
npm warn deprecated node-domexception@1.0.0: Use your platform's native DOMException instead
npm warn deprecated glob@10.5.0: Old versions of glob are not supported, and contain widely publicized security vulnerabilities, which have been fixed in the current version. Please update. Support for old versions may be purchased (at exorbitant rates) by contacting i@izs.me
added 618 packages in 48s
173 packages are looking for funding
run `npm fund` for details
william@Azure:~$
Testing the Gemini CLI Environment
Once you have all the tools and the correct Node.js version in place- you can test the startup of Gemini CLI. You will need to authenticate with a Key or your Google Account:
gemini
Authentication
Several authentication options are available. To use an existing Code Assist licence — authenticate with a Google Account:
> /auth
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╭──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╮
│ │
│ ? Get started │
│ │
│ How would you like to authenticate for this project? │
│ │
│ ● 1. Login with Google │
│ 2. Use Gemini API Key │
│ 3. Vertex AI │
│ │
│ (Use Enter to select) │
│ │
│ Terms of Services and Privacy Notice for Gemini CLI │
│ │
│ https://geminicli.com/docs/resources/tos-privacy/ │
│ │
╰──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╯
Then set the GOOGLE_CLOUD_PROJECT to a valid project setup on the Google Cloud console:
~ $ export GOOGLE_CLOUD_PROJECT=comglitn
~ $
Other options include Google Cloud API Key that can be generated directly from the Google Cloud Console.
Using Gemini CLI on Azure Cloud Shell
Once installed- Gemini CLI has direct access to the Cloud Shell environment:
Logged in with Google: xbill@glitnir.com /auth
Plan: Gemini Code Assist Standard
✦ Your Azure project information is as follows:
- Subscription Name: Azure subscription 1
- Subscription ID: 3db3ce66-50b6-4d11-91ef-5950cf4039ed
- Tenant ID: 40482c55-d00d-4c6d-8903-643d76a74b9c
- Environment: AzureCloud
- User: live.com#xbill@glitnir.com
Active Resource Groups:
- cloud-shell-storage-eastus (eastus)
- NetworkWatcherRG (eastus)
- vm (eastus)
Project Metadata:
- Repository: github.com/xbill9/gemini-cli-azure (https://github.com/xbill9/gemini-cli-azure)
- Google Cloud Project ID: comglitn (from project_id.txt)
and Azure operations can be performed directly from Gemini CLI:
> list azure vms using the az command
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✦ I'll list your Azure Virtual Machines using the az command.
╭──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╮
│ ✓ Shell az vm list -d -o table [current working directory /home/william] (List all Azure Virtual Machines in the current subscription with detailed in… │
│ │
│ Name ResourceGroup PowerState PublicIps Fqdns Location │
│ --------- --------------- -------------- ------------- ------- ---------- │
│ azure-new VM VM deallocated 20.124.121.35 eastus │
╰──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────╯
✦ You have one Azure Virtual Machine:
- Name: azure-new
- Resource Group: VM
- Power State: VM deallocated
- Public IP: 20.124.121.35
- Location: eastus
To simplify working with Google Cloud — install the Google Cloud Tools:
https://docs.cloud.google.com/sdk/docs/install-sdk
Once the installation is completed — you can verify the setup:
william@Azure:~$ gcloud auth list
Credentialed Accounts
ACTIVE ACCOUNT
* xbill@glitnir.com
To set the active account, run:
$ gcloud config set account `ACCOUNT`
william@Azure:~$ gcloud config list
[compute]
region = us-west2
zone = us-west2-a
[core]
account = xbill@glitnir.com
disable_usage_reporting = False
project = comglitn
Your active configuration is: [default]
[environment: Development]
william@Azure:~$
Installing Azure Customized GEMINI.md
A sample GitHub repo contains tools for working with Gemini CLI on Azure. This repo is available here:
git clone https://gitHub.com/xbill9/gemini-cli-azure
A sample GEMINI.md customized for the Azure environment is provided in the repo:
This is a multi linux git repo hosted at:
github.com/xbill9/gemini-cli-azure
You are a cross platform developer working with
Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud
You can use the Azure CLI :
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/cli/azure/install-azure-cli
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/cli/azure/
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/cli/azure/reference
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/cli/azure/install-azure-cli-linux?view=azure-cli-latest&pivots=apt
## Azure CLI Tools
You can use the Azure CLI to manage resources across Azure Storage, Virtual Machines, and other services.
- **List Resource Groups** : `az group list -o table`
- **List Storage Accounts** : `az storage account list -o table`
- **List Virtual Machines** : `az vm list -d -o table`
### Azure Update Script
- `azure-update`: This script is specifically for Azure Linux environments. It updates all packages and ensures necessary libraries are installed.
## Automation Scripts
This repository contains scripts for updating various Linux environments and tools:
- `linux-update`: Detects OS (Debian/Ubuntu/Azure Linux) and runs the corresponding update scripts.
- `azure-update`: Updates Azure Linux packages and installs necessary dependencies.
- `debian-update`: Updates Debian/Ubuntu packages and installs `git`.
- `gemini-update`: Updates the `@google/gemini-cli` via npm and checks versions of Node.js and Gemini.
- `nvm-update`: Installs NVM (Node Version Manager) and Node.js version 25.
Now that all the building blocks are in place- the Azure Cloud Shell has all the tools to have visibility into both clouds. Gemini CLI can be used directly with the gcloud utility running on Azure:
william@Azure:~/gemini-cli-azure$ gemini
▝▜▄ Gemini CLI v0.33.0
▝▜▄
▗▟▀ Logged in with Google /auth
▝▀ Gemini Code Assist Standard /upgrade
Tips for getting started:
1. /help for more information
2. Ask coding questions, edit code or run commands
3. Be specific for the best results
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> summarize my google cloud project with the gcloud tools
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✦ Based on the gcloud tools, here is a summary of your active Google Cloud project:
Project Overview
- Project Name: glitnir
- Project ID: comglitn
- Project Number: 1056842563084
- Status: ACTIVE (Created: Aug 31, 2014)
- Key Labels: firebase: enabled, generative-language: enabled.
Summary
Gemini CLI was downloaded and tested from the Azure Cloud Shell. This is a complete fully working version of Gemini CLI with all the standard features like extensions, agent skills, and a familiar interface. Then, Gemini CLI was used to perform Azure native operations using the built-in tooling. Finally the Google Cloud Tools were downoaded and installed. This is a first step to enabling cross platform projects with both Google Cloud and Azure.
