gemini-cli PR adds --append-system-prompt to extend the system prompt without replacing it
mvanhorn · ghdev · 2026-10-25
- PR #29919 on google-gemini/gemini-cli adds --append-system-prompt, --append-system-prompt-file, and the GEMINIAPPENDSYSTEMMD env var, letting you append instructions without replacing the whole system prompt.
- Previously GEMINISYSTEMMD fully replaced the prompt, so adding one line of project context meant dumping the stock prompt, concatenating, and re-pointing at a copy that silently went stale on every upgrade.
- Appended text lands after the base prompt (or its override) and before memory, in its own section; file content comes before the inline string; paths resolve like GEMINISYSTEMMD ( and relative paths), and unreadable files raise a clear startup error. Validation steps and tests are included.
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