How to use Gemini CLI in China? (API proxy / relay setup)

[holysheep123]

Problem

Gemini CLI cannot connect to generativelanguage.googleapis.com from China:

Error: connect ETIMEDOUT generativelanguage.googleapis.com:443
ERROR: Could not reach the Gemini API

Solution

Use an API relay service that proxies requests through overseas servers.

Option 1: One-command setup

npx @simonyea/holysheep-cli setup

Select Gemini CLI when prompted. It configures the API base URL and key automatically.

Option 2: Manual configuration

Set environment variables:

export GEMINI_API_KEY=your_key
export GEMINI_API_BASE_URL=https://api.holysheep.ai/gemini/v1beta

Or in ~/.gemini/settings.json:

{
  "apiBaseUrl": "https://api.holysheep.ai/gemini/v1beta",
  "apiKey": "your_key"
}

About the relay

HolySheep is an API relay supporting Gemini, Claude, and OpenAI APIs. Pay-as-you-go from ¥10 (~$1.4), no subscription.

The same relay also works for Claude Code, Codex CLI, Aider, Cursor, and other AI coding tools.

Hope this helps!