Gemini System — Multimodal File Processing

Gemini CLI is specialized for multimodal file processing (PDF, video, audio, image).

Detailed rules: .claude/rules/gemini-delegation.md

Research/codebase analysis: Use general-purpose subagent (Opus) instead — Opus now supports 1M context.

Multimodal File Processing

Extract content from PDF, video, audio, and image files.

PDF

gemini -p "Extract: {what to extract}" < /path/to/file.pdf 2>/dev/null

Video

gemini -p "Summarize: key concepts, timestamps" < /path/to/video.mp4 2>/dev/null

Audio

gemini -p "Transcribe and summarize: decisions, action items" < /path/to/audio.mp3 2>/dev/null

Image (diagrams, charts)

gemini -p "Analyze: components, relationships, data flow" < /path/to/diagram.png 2>/dev/null

Target Extensions

PDF .pdf

Video .mp4 , .mov , .avi , .mkv , .webm

Audio .mp3 , .wav , .m4a , .flac , .ogg

Images (advanced analysis) .png , .jpg , .jpeg , .gif , .webp , .svg

Simple screenshot inspection can be done directly with Claude's Read tool.

Auto-Trigger

When multimodal files appear in a task, automatically pass them to Gemini without waiting for user instructions.

When NOT to Use Gemini

Task Correct Owner

Research and investigation general-purpose subagent (Opus)

Codebase analysis general-purpose subagent (Opus)

Design and planning Codex

Debugging Codex

Code implementation Claude / Subagents

How to Use

Subagent Pattern (for large outputs)

Task tool parameters:

• subagent_type: "gemini-explore"

• prompt: | {task description}

  gemini -p "{prompt}" < /path/to/file 2>/dev/null

  Return CONCISE summary (5-7 bullet points).

Direct Call (for short extractions)

gemini -p "{what to extract}" < /path/to/file 2>/dev/null

Language Protocol

• Ask Gemini in English

• Receive response in English

• Report to user in the user's language