How to Integrate i-have-adhd with the Gemini CLI: Complete Setup Guide

You can integrate i-have-adhd with the Gemini CLI either by installing a custom /i-have-adhd command for opt-in ADHD-friendly output, or by setting up an always-on extension that applies the style to every session.

The i-have-adhd repository by ayghri provides a structured approach to making LLM interactions more accessible for users with ADHD. According to the source code in ayghri/i-have-adhd, the integration relies on two distinct architectural paths that leverage Gemini's command and extension APIs without requiring additional runtime code.

Integration Modes: Command vs. Extension

The repository offers two mutually exclusive ways to enable ADHD-optimized responses:

• Custom Command (opt-in): Install a single TOML file that exposes the /i-have-adhd command. The ADHD-friendly formatting rules activate only when you explicitly invoke this command during a session, leaving default Gemini behavior unchanged otherwise.
• Extension (always-on): Install the repository as a Gemini extension via gemini extensions install. This approach loads the skill rules from GEMINI.md automatically, applying ADHD-optimized formatting from the first message of every session.

Both approaches are documented in the repository's INSTALL.md file under the Gemini CLI section.

Architecture Overview

Understanding the file structure helps clarify how the integration functions without custom runtime logic.

Custom Command (TOML-based)

The file skills/i-have-adhd/agents/gemini.toml contains the complete command definition. It specifies the command name (/i-have-adhd) and embeds the full prompt that instructs Gemini to use ADHD-friendly formatting rules. This TOML file acts as a thin wrapper that forwards the request to the underlying skill logic defined elsewhere in the repository.

Extension Manifest (JSON-based)

For the always-on approach, gemini-extension.json serves as the extension manifest. It declares the extension metadata and points Gemini to GEMINI.md, which in turn imports the core skill definition from @./skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md. When installed as an extension, Gemini loads these rules automatically at session start.

Skill Definition

The actual formatting rules reside in skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md. This file contains the complete prompt engineering that shapes Gemini's output for ADHD readers—structuring responses with clear headers, bullet points, and concise paragraphs. Both the command and extension methods ultimately reference this single source of truth for the formatting logic.

Step-by-Step Installation

Choose the installation method that best fits your workflow needs.

Install the Opt-In Command

To enable on-demand ADHD formatting, download the command definition to your local Gemini configuration:

mkdir -p ~/.gemini/commands
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/main/skills/i-have-adhd/agents/gemini.toml \
  -o ~/.gemini/commands/i-have-adhd.toml

After installation, start a new Gemini session and type /i-have-adhd to activate the skill for that specific session. The formatting rules remain active only until you exit the session.

Install the Always-On Extension

For automatic application across all sessions, install the repository as a Gemini extension:

gemini extensions install https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd

This command registers the extension using the gemini-extension.json manifest, ensuring that GEMINI.md loads automatically at the start of every conversation.

Verify Your Setup

Confirm successful installation using the appropriate verification command for your chosen method:

# For the command route

ls ~/.gemini/commands/i-have-adhd.toml

# For the extension route

gemini extensions list

The extension list should display i-have-adhd among installed extensions, while the commands directory check verifies the TOML file exists in the correct location.

Update and Uninstall

Update the command route by re-running the curl command above to fetch the latest TOML definition.

Update the extension route using the Gemini CLI manager:

gemini extensions update i-have-adhd

Uninstall completely by removing both artifacts:

gemini extensions uninstall i-have-adhd
rm ~/.gemini/commands/i-have-adhd.toml

Usage Examples

After installing the opt-in command, enable ADHD-friendly output for your current session:

# Launch Gemini

gemini

# Enable the skill

/i-have-adhd

# Now proceed with your queries - all responses will follow

# the ADHD-optimized formatting defined in SKILL.md

If using the extension method, simply start chatting—the formatting applies automatically to every response without requiring the /i-have-adhd prefix.

Summary

• i-have-adhd integrates with Gemini CLI through two mechanisms: a custom TOML command or a JSON-based extension.
• The opt-in command (/i-have-adhd) installs via gemini.toml to ~/.gemini/commands/ and activates formatting per-session.
• The always-on extension installs via gemini extensions install and loads GEMINI.md automatically for every conversation.
• Both methods reference the core rules in skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md for consistent ADHD-optimized output.
• Update extensions with gemini extensions update and remove them with gemini extensions uninstall plus manual TOML deletion if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the command and extension installation methods?

The command method creates an on-demand toggle. You install gemini.toml to ~/.gemini/commands/ and type /i-have-adhd only when you want ADHD-formatted responses for that specific session. The extension method uses gemini-extension.json to automatically load the formatting rules from the first message of every session, making it ideal if you consistently prefer the ADHD-optimized style.

Where are the actual formatting rules stored?

The formatting logic resides in skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md. Both integration methods ultimately reference this file—the TOML command embeds it directly in the prompt, while the extension loads it via GEMINI.md. This centralization ensures consistent behavior regardless of which integration method you choose.

Can I use both the command and extension simultaneously?

While technically possible, running both simultaneously would be redundant. The extension already applies the formatting rules automatically, making the manual /i-have-adhd command unnecessary. If you prefer occasional use, uninstall the extension and use only the command file; for constant use, install only the extension and remove the TOML file from ~/.gemini/commands/.

How do I update to the latest version of the i-have-adhd rules?

For the command route, re-run the curl command to download the latest gemini.toml from the main branch. For the extension route, run gemini extensions update i-have-adhd. The update process pulls the latest SKILL.md content and extension manifest from the GitHub repository.

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