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Chat with Gemini AI through local CLI via SSH

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Important notice

This workflow is provided as-is. Please review and test before using in production.

1. Workflow Overview

This workflow allows you to integrate the Google Gemini CLI into your n8n AI Agents. It is designed for self hosted n8n instances and enables you to chat with the Gemini CLI running on your local m...

Best for

  • Internal Wiki automation workflows
  • AI Chatbot automation workflows
  • intermediate n8n builders looking for reusable templates

Tools used

@n8n/n8n-nodes-langchain.chattrigger, @n8n/n8n-nodes-langchain.memorybufferwindow, @n8n/n8n-nodes-langchain.lmchatgooglegemini, @n8n/n8n-nodes-langchain.toolworkflow, @n8n/n8n-nodes-langchain.agent, n8n-nodes-base.noop, n8n-nodes-base.stickynote, n8n-nodes-base.ssh

Source and attribution

This workflow is cataloged by N8N Workflows and links back to its original n8n.io source page by Alexandru Florea.

Original n8n.io source

1.1 Workflow description

Title
Chat with Gemini AI through local CLI via SSH
Workflow name
Chat with Gemini AI through local CLI via SSH

This workflow allows you to integrate the Google Gemini CLI into your n8n AI Agents. It is designed for self-hosted n8n instances and enables you to chat with the Gemini CLI running on your local machine or server via SSH.

This is powerful for users who want to utilize the free tier of Gemini via Google's CLI tools or need the AI to interact with local files on the host server.

How it works

  • AI Agent: The main workflow uses a LangChain AI Agent with a custom tool.
  • Custom Tool: When the agent needs to answer, it calls a sub-workflow ("Gemini CLI Worker").
  • SSH Execution: The sub-workflow connects to your host machine via SSH, executes the gemini command with your prompt, and returns the CLI's standard output to the chat.

Set up steps

  1. Prerequisites: You must have Node.js (v20+) and the gemini-chat-cli installed on your host machine.
  2. Split the Workflows:
    • Copy the bottom section (Sub-workflow).
    • Paste it into a new workflow, name it "Gemini CLI Worker", and Save it.
    • Note the ID of this new workflow.
  3. Configure the Main Workflow:
    • Open the Call 'Gemini CLI' node.
    • In the "Workflow ID" field, select the "Gemini CLI Worker" workflow you just saved.
  4. Configure SSH:
    • Open the Execute a command node in the sub-workflow.
    • Configure your SSH credentials (IP, Username, Password/Key) to allow n8n to connect to the host where Gemini CLI is installed.

1.2 Logical Blocks

This catalog entry is organized from the workflow JSON. The node-level section below shows the executable blocks available for review before importing the template.

2. Block-by-Block Analysis

Block 1 - When chat message received

Type / Role
@n8n/n8n-nodes-langchain.chatTrigger - chatTrigger
Config choices
Version 1.3

Block 2 - Simple Memory

Type / Role
@n8n/n8n-nodes-langchain.memoryBufferWindow - memoryBufferWindow
Config choices
Version 1.3

Block 3 - Google Gemini Chat Model

Type / Role
@n8n/n8n-nodes-langchain.lmChatGoogleGemini - lmChatGoogleGemini
Config choices
Version 1

Block 4 - Call 'Gemini CLI'

Type / Role
@n8n/n8n-nodes-langchain.toolWorkflow - toolWorkflow
Config choices
Version 2.2

Block 5 - AI Agent

Type / Role
@n8n/n8n-nodes-langchain.agent - agent
Config choices
Version 2.2

Block 6 - No Operation, do nothing

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.noOp - noOp
Config choices
Version 1

Block 7 - Sticky Note

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote - stickyNote
Config choices
Version 1

Block 8 - Execute a command

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.ssh - ssh
Config choices
Version 1

Block 9 - When Executed by Another Workflow

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.executeWorkflowTrigger - executeWorkflowTrigger
Config choices
Version 1.1

Block 10 - Edit Fields

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.set - set
Config choices
Version 3.4

Block 11 - Sticky Note1

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote - stickyNote
Config choices
Version 1

Block 12 - Sticky Note2

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote - stickyNote
Config choices
Version 1

Block 13 - Sticky Note3

Type / Role
n8n-nodes-base.stickyNote - stickyNote
Config choices
Version 1

3. Summary Table

Workflow Chat with Gemini AI through local CLI via SSH
Complexity intermediate
Nodes 13
Categories Internal Wiki, AI Chatbot
Author Alexandru Florea
Published 16 Dec 2025

4. Reproducing the Workflow from Scratch

  1. 1. Download the workflow JSON

    Use the JSON export at /data/workflows/11843/11843.json as the source template for this automation.

  2. 2. Import the template into n8n

    Open n8n, import the downloaded JSON, and review each node before activating the workflow.

  3. 3. Configure credentials and variables

    Replace placeholder credentials, API keys, webhook URLs, account IDs, and environment-specific values with your own settings.

  4. 4. Test with sample data

    Run the workflow manually or in a staging workspace, inspect node output, and confirm downstream systems receive the expected data.

  5. 5. Activate and monitor

    Enable the workflow only after testing, then monitor executions, errors, and rate limits during the first production runs.

5. General Notes & Resources

Review imported nodes carefully before activation. This catalog entry is intended to help you inspect the workflow structure, understand required services, and find related templates faster.

Node names, credentials, schedules, webhook paths, and external service limits may need adjustment for your workspace.

Frequently asked questions

What does Chat with Gemini AI through local CLI via SSH do?

This workflow allows you to integrate the Google Gemini CLI into your n8n AI Agents. It is designed for self hosted n8n instances and enables you to chat with the Gemini CLI running on your local m...

What do I need before importing this workflow?

Review the workflow JSON, configure any required credentials in n8n, and test the automation in a safe workspace before using it in production.

Can I customize this workflow?

Yes. Use the block-by-block analysis and the downloadable JSON to inspect each node, then adjust credentials, prompts, schedules, filters, or destinations for your Internal Wiki, AI Chatbot use case.