Compare
Gemini CLI vs Cursor
Side-by-side comparison of Gemini CLI and Cursor for SKILL.md agent skills — install model, shell access, native support, skill count and best use cases.
Comparison
At a glance
| Dimension | Gemini | Cursor |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor | Cursor | |
| Native SKILL.md support | Via compatibility layer | Via compatibility layer |
| Verified skills indexed | 5 | 73 |
| Install model | Local folder | Local folder |
| Shell / Bash access | Yes | Yes |
| Tagline | Google's coding agent CLI with a SKILL.md compatibility layer. | AI-first IDE. SKILL.md works via the Cursor plugin layer; per-skill compatibility verified here. |
Both
5
Skills verified to work on both Gemini and Cursor.
Only Gemini
0
Indexed for Gemini CLI but not yet verified on Cursor.
Only Cursor
68
Indexed for Cursor but not yet verified on Gemini CLI.
Verdict
Which should you pick?
Both support SKILL.md natively, so the choice is about ecosystem fit. Pick Gemini CLI for Google integrations and the workflows it makes easiest; pick Cursor for Cursor integrations and its specific surface.
Many teams use both — Skills with the SKILL.md spec are portable, and 5 of the skills indexed here are verified on both agents. Browse the per-agent rankings to see which Skills lead on each platform: Skills for Gemini CLI · Skills for Cursor.
FAQ
Common questions
Which is better for SKILL.md skills, Gemini CLI or Cursor?
Both support SKILL.md natively. Gemini CLI has 5 verified skills indexed here; Cursor has 73. 5 skills work on both.
Can I use the same Skill on Gemini CLI and Cursor?
5 of the skills indexed here work on both. The SKILL.md spec is shared, so most skills run cleanly on both — the exceptions are skills that depend on agent-specific tools (Bash, Workflows, MCP patterns).
How do I install a Skill on Gemini CLI?
Drop the folder under `~/.gemini/skills/` for user-wide or `.gemini/skills/` for project-scoped. The compatibility layer translates SKILL.md frontmatter automatically.
How do I install a Skill on Cursor?
Drop the folder under `.cursor/skills/` for project-scoped, or the global Cursor config dir for user-wide. The marketplace gives one-click install for popular Skills.
Which agent should I pick for cross-platform skill use?
Both support skills natively. Pick by ecosystem fit: Gemini CLI for Google customers, Cursor for Cursor customers.
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