# How to Use i-have-adhd with Gemini CLI Extension: Complete Setup Guide

> Set up i-have-adhd with Gemini CLI extension to receive ADHD-friendly responses. Install as a custom command or always-on extension for better sessions.

- Repository: [Ayoub Ghriss/i-have-adhd](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd)
- Tags: how-to-guide
- Published: 2026-08-02

---

**Install i-have-adhd in Gemini CLI as either an on-demand custom command or an always-on extension to get ADHD-friendly formatted responses in every session.**

The `i-have-adhd` repository by ayghri provides a Gemini CLI integration that reformats LLM output for easier reading. This guide covers both installation methods—the opt-in command for temporary use and the permanent extension for automatic activation—based on the [official source code](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd).

## Installation Options for i-have-adhd Gemini CLI Integration

The repository offers two distinct ways to integrate with Gemini CLI. Choose based on how frequently you want ADHD-optimized output.

| Integration Mode | Behavior | Best For |
|------------------|----------|----------|
| **Custom Command** (`/i-have-adhd`) | Activate per session with a slash command | Occasional use, testing, or shared machines |
| **Extension** | Automatic loading in every Gemini session | Daily use, consistent ADHD-friendly formatting |

Both methods reference the same underlying skill definition in [`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md)—the difference is how Gemini loads it.

## Method 1: Custom Command (Opt-In)

This approach installs a single TOML file that defines a `/i-have-adhd` slash command. The skill rules only apply when you explicitly invoke the command during a session.

### Step 1: Download the Command Definition

```bash
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

```

The [`gemini.toml`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/gemini.toml) file contains the command metadata and embeds the full ADHD-style prompt rules. According to the source at [`skills/i-have-adhd/agents/gemini.toml`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/agents/gemini.toml) [lines 1-25](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/agents/gemini.toml), this TOML block tells Gemini-CLI:

- The command name (`/i-have-adhd`)
- Description and usage hints
- The complete prompt text that shapes ADHD-friendly output

### Step 2: Activate in a Session

```bash
gemini          # launch the CLI

/i-have-adhd    # enable for this session only

```

The skill remains active until you exit that Gemini session. As documented in [`INSTALL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/INSTALL.md) [lines 181-245](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/INSTALL.md), no persistent changes are made to your default Gemini behavior.

## Method 2: Extension (Always-On)

Install `i-have-adhd` as a Gemini extension for automatic loading in every new session.

### Install the Extension

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

```

This command reads [`gemini-extension.json`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/gemini-extension.json) from the repository root, which declares:

- Extension name and version
- Pointer to [`GEMINI.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/GEMINI.md) as the context file

Per [`gemini-extension.json`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/gemini-extension.json) [lines 1-6](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/gemini-extension.json), the manifest directs Gemini to load [`GEMINI.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/GEMINI.md) on startup. That file simply imports the skill: `@./skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md` ([GEMINI.md lines 1-6](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/GEMINI.md)).

### How the Extension Works

The extension architecture uses three linked files:

1. **[`gemini-extension.json`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/gemini-extension.json)** — Extension manifest loaded by Gemini
2. **[`GEMINI.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/GEMINI.md)** — Context file that imports the skill
3. **[`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md)** — Complete rule set for ADHD-optimized formatting

When you start Gemini with this extension installed, the rules from [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/SKILL.md) [lines 13-40](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md) apply immediately to all responses. No slash command needed.

## Verification and Management

### Check Installation Status

For the command route:

```bash
ls ~/.gemini/commands

# Expected output: i-have-adhd.toml

```

For the extension route:

```bash
gemini extensions list

# Expected output: i-have-adhd with version

```

Both verification steps are confirmed in [`INSTALL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/INSTALL.md) [lines 334-340](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/INSTALL.md).

### Update the Integration

| Route | Command |
|-------|---------|
| Custom command | Re-run the `curl` download command |
| Extension | `gemini extensions update i-have-adhd` |

### Uninstall Completely

```bash

# Remove extension

gemini extensions uninstall i-have-adhd

# Remove custom command (if installed)

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

```

Update and uninstall procedures are documented in [`INSTALL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/INSTALL.md) [lines 443-455](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/INSTALL.md).

## Complete Workflow Examples

### Quick Test: Command Route

```bash

# One-time setup

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

# Use in any session

gemini
/i-have-adhd

# Now type your queries—responses use ADHD-friendly formatting

```

### Daily Driver: Extension Route

```bash

# Single install, permanent effect

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

# Every new gemini session now has ADHD formatting by default

gemini

# First response already uses the skill—no command needed

```

## What the ADHD Formatting Actually Does

The [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/SKILL.md) file defines specific output rules that Gemini follows when the skill is active. While the exact rules depend on the version you're running, the implementation at [`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md) [lines 13-40](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md) typically includes:

- Structured summaries with clear visual hierarchy
- Bite-sized information chunks
- Emphasis on actionable items
- Reduced cognitive load through formatting choices

The TOML command and JSON extension are thin wrappers—they don't modify these rules; they only deliver [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/SKILL.md) to the LLM as context.

## Summary

- **Two installation modes**: opt-in `/i-have-adhd` command (temporary) or always-on extension (permanent)
- **Core files**: [`gemini.toml`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/gemini.toml) defines the command; [`gemini-extension.json`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/gemini-extension.json) + [`GEMINI.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/GEMINI.md) + [`SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/SKILL.md) power the extension
- **Same underlying rules**: Both paths ultimately load [`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md)
- **Easy management**: Standard `gemini extensions` subcommands handle updates and removal
- **Verified paths**: All file references and line numbers match the ayghri/i-have-adhd repository

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Can I use both the command and extension simultaneously?

Yes, but the extension takes precedence since it loads automatically. If you have the extension installed, `/i-have-adhd` becomes redundant. The command route exists specifically for users who want occasional access without permanent installation, as noted in [`INSTALL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/INSTALL.md) [lines 113-150](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/INSTALL.md).

### Does i-have-adhd modify my Gemini CLI installation?

No. The extension loads context files into the LLM conversation—it doesn't alter Gemini's core code or configuration beyond standard extension management. The custom command is simply a TOML file in `~/.gemini/commands` that Gemini reads at startup.

### How do I temporarily disable the extension without uninstalling?

Gemini CLI doesn't currently support per-session extension disabling. To stop the always-on behavior, uninstall with `gemini extensions uninstall i-have-adhd` and reinstall when needed. For flexible on/off control, use the custom command route instead.

### Where are the actual formatting rules defined?

All ADHD-specific output rules live in [`skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md`](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md) [lines 13-40](https://github.com/ayghri/i-have-adhd/blob/main/skills/i-have-adhd/SKILL.md). Both the TOML command file and the extension manifest ultimately point to this single source of truth.