Lima in AI (MCP)

1: Gemini

Starting with Lima v2.0, Lima provides Model Context Protocol (MCP) tools for reading, writing, and executing local files using a VM sandbox.

1 - Gemini

⚡ Requirement	Lima >= 2.0

This page describes how to use Lima as an sandbox for Google Gemini CLI.

Configuration

Run the default Lima instance:

limactl start default

Create .gemini/extensions/lima/gemini-extension.json as follows:

{
  "name": "lima",
  "version": "2.0.0",
  "mcpServers": {
    "lima": {
      "command": "limactl",
      "args": [
        "mcp",
        "serve",
        "default"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Modify .gemini/settings.json so as to disable Gemini CLI’s built-in tools except ones that do not relate to local command execution and file I/O:

{
  "coreTools": ["WebFetchTool", "WebSearchTool", "MemoryTool"]
}

Usage

Just run gemini.

The project directory must be mounted inside the VM. i.e., typically it must be under the home directory.