Unlocking Gemini CLI with Skills, Hooks & Plan Mode

In Unlocking Gemini CLI with Skills, Hooks & Plan Mode, we moved past the basics and into the "power user" features of Gemini CLI. I was joined by Jack Wotherspoon from the Gemini CLI team to show how developers can exert more control over their AI agents and handle complex, multi-step projects with confidence. From a 20-minute app build to the introduction of a "read-only" research mode, this episode was packed with tools designed to bridge the gap between AI autonomy and developer intent. The 20-minute build: From idea to deployment To set the stage, Jack showcased Memory Wall, a digital bulletin board built using React, Three.js, and Firebase. The kicker? It took only 20 minutes to go from a blank slate to a live-deployed application. This served as the playground for the day's deep dives: 1. Deterministic control with hooks One of the biggest hurdles with AI agents is their non-deterministic nature. Hooks change that. They are scripts that run at specific lifecycle points—like