How to Set Up i-have-adhd on Gemini CLI: Complete Installation Guide

You can set up i-have-adhd on Gemini CLI using either an opt-in custom command that activates per session or an always-on extension that applies ADHD-friendly formatting to every interaction.

The i-have-adhd repository by ayghri provides a Gemini CLI integration that reformats AI output for ADHD readers using concise, structured responses. According to the source code in ayghri/i-have-adhd, this tool supports two distinct installation modes depending on whether you want on-demand activation or persistent behavior across all sessions.

Installation Methods Overview

The repository supports two integration modes documented in INSTALL.md (lines 113-150). Choose the approach that matches your workflow:

• Custom Command (opt-in): Installs a TOML file that defines a /i-have-adhd command. Rules activate only when you invoke the command during a specific session.
• Extension (always-on): Installs the repository as a Gemini extension. Rules load automatically from GEMINI.md and apply from the first message of every session.

Architecture Deep Dive

Understanding the file structure helps clarify how the integration works before installation.

Command Definition (gemini.toml)

The file skills/i-have-adhd/agents/gemini.toml contains the TOML block that tells Gemini CLI how to expose the /i-have-adhd command. This file embeds the full ADHD-style rule set from GEMINI.md as the prompt sent to the LLM (lines 1-25).

Extension Manifest (gemini-extension.json)

The gemini-extension.json file declares the extension metadata, including name, version, and the path to GEMINI.md (lines 1-6). When installed as an extension, Gemini automatically loads GEMINI.md, which imports the skill definition via @./skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md (lines 1-6).

Skill Definition (SKILL.md)

The skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md file holds the complete rule set that drives ADHD-friendly output. Both the command and extension act as thin wrappers that forward this file to the LLM; Gemini itself does not modify these rules (lines 13-40).

Step-by-Step Installation

Installing the Custom Command

Use this method if you want to activate ADHD-friendly formatting only when needed.

1. Create the commands directory:

mkdir -p ~/.gemini/commands

2. Download the TOML definition:

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

3. Launch Gemini and activate the skill:

gemini
/i-have-adhd

The skill stays active for that session only (as documented in INSTALL.md lines 181-245).

Installing the Extension

Use this method if you want ADHD-style output automatically for all Gemini interactions.

Run the extension install command:

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

The extension automatically loads GEMINI.md, which imports the full skill, applying rules from the first message of every session (INSTALL.md lines 326-332).

Verifying Your Setup

For the command route:

ls ~/.gemini/commands

# Expected output: i-have-adhd.toml

For the extension route:

gemini extensions list

# Expected output: i-have-adhd

Both verification commands are referenced in INSTALL.md (lines 334-340).

Managing Updates and Removal

Updating the custom command: Re-run the curl command from the installation section above.

Updating the extension:

gemini extensions update i-have-adhd

Complete uninstallation:

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

These maintenance procedures are documented in INSTALL.md (lines 443-455).

Summary

• Two installation paths: Opt-in command for session-specific use, or extension for always-on behavior.
• Key files: gemini.toml defines the command, gemini-extension.json configures the extension, and SKILL.md contains the actual formatting rules.
• Quick setup: Use curl for the command method (one file download) or gemini extensions install for the extension method (single command).
• No code modifications: Both methods work by wrapping existing markdown skill definitions without modifying Gemini CLI source code.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The custom command requires you to type /i-have-adhd at the start of each session to activate ADHD-friendly formatting, making it ideal for users who only occasionally need specialized output. The extension automatically loads the formatting rules for every Gemini session without manual activation, better suited for users who want consistent ADHD-optimized responses.

Where does Gemini CLI store the custom command file?

The TOML file downloads to ~/.gemini/commands/i-have-adhd.toml. This location follows the standard Gemini CLI convention for user-defined slash commands, allowing the tool to recognize and execute /i-have-adhd when typed in the interactive shell.

Can I use both installation methods simultaneously?

Yes, you can install both the extension and the custom command. If both are present, the extension loads automatically while the /i-have-adhd command remains available for manual invocation. Remove the TOML file and uninstall the extension if you want to completely disable the functionality.

How do I update the ADHD formatting rules when the repository changes?

Update methods depend on your installation type. For the command route, re-run the curl command to overwrite ~/.gemini/commands/i-have-adhd.toml with the latest version. For the extension route, run gemini extensions update i-have-adhd to pull the latest changes from the GitHub repository.

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