Release v0.26.0-preview.0

What's Changed

• fix: PDF token estimation (#16494) by @korade-krushna in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16527
• chore(release): bump version to 0.26.0-nightly.20260114.bb6c57414 by @gemini-cli-robot in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16604
• docs: clarify F12 to open debug console by @jackwotherspoon in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16570
• docs: Remove .md extension from internal links in architecture.md by @medic-code in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/12899
• Add an experimental setting for extension config by @chrstnb in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16506
• feat: add Rewind Confirmation dialog and Rewind Viewer component by @Adib234 in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/15717
• fix(a2a): Don't throw errors for GeminiEventType Retry and InvalidStream. by @ehedlund in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16541
• prefactor: add rootCommands as array so it can be used for policy parsing by @abhipatel12 in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16640
• remove unnecessary \x7f key bindings by @scidomino in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16646
• docs(skills): use body-file in pr-creator skill for better reliability by @abhipatel12 in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16642
• chore(automation): recursive labeling for workstream descendants by @bdmorgan in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16609
• feat: introduce 'skill-creator' built-in skill and CJS management tools by @NTaylorMullen in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16394
• chore(automation): remove automated PR size and complexity labeler by @bdmorgan in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16648
• refactor(skills): replace 'project' with 'workspace' scope by @NTaylorMullen in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16380
• Docs: Update release notes for 1/13/2026 by @jkcinouye in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16583
• Simplify paste handling by @scidomino in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16654
• chore(automation): improve scheduled issue triage discovery and throughput by @bdmorgan in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16652
• fix(acp): run exit cleanup when stdin closes by @codefromthecrypt in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/14953
• feat(scheduler): add types needed for event driven scheduler by @abhipatel12 in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16641
• Remove unused rewind key binding by @scidomino in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16659
• Remove sequence binding by @scidomino in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16664
• feat(cli): undeprecate the --prompt flag by @alexaustin007 in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/13981
• chore: update dependabot configuration by @cosmopax in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/13507
• feat(config): add 'auto' alias for default model selection by @sehoon38 in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16661
• Enable & disable agents by @sehoon38 in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16225
• cleanup: Improve keybindings by @scidomino in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16672
• Add timeout for shell-utils to prevent hangs. by @jacob314 in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16667
• feat(plan): add experimental plan flag by @jerop in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16650
• feat(cli): add security consent prompts for skill installation by @NTaylorMullen in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16549
• fix: replace 3 consecutive periods with ellipsis character by @Vist233 in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16587
• chore(automation): ensure status/need-triage is applied and never cleared automatically by @bdmorgan in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16657
• fix: Handle colons in skill description frontmatter by @maru0804 in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16345
• refactor(core): harden skill frontmatter parsing by @NTaylorMullen in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16705
• feat(skills): add conflict detection and warnings for skill overrides by @NTaylorMullen in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16709
• feat(scheduler): add SchedulerStateManager for reactive tool state by @abhipatel12 in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16651
• chore(automation): enforce 'help wanted' label permissions and update guidelines by @bdmorgan in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16707
• fix(core): resolve circular dependency via tsconfig paths by @sehoon38 in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16730
• chore/release: bump version to 0.26.0-nightly.20260115.6cb3ae4e0 by @gemini-cli-robot in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16738
• fix(automation): correct status/need-issue label matching wildcard by @bdmorgan in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16727
• fix(automation): prevent label-enforcer loop by ignoring all bots by @bdmorgan in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16746
• Add links to supported locations and minor fixes by @g-samroberts in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16476
• feat(policy): add source tracking to policy rules by @allenhutchison in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16670
• feat(automation): enforce '🔒 maintainer only' and fix bot loop by @bdmorgan in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16751
• Make merged settings non-nullable and fix all lints related to that. by @jacob314 in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16647
• fix(core): prevent ModelInfo event emission on aborted signal by @sehoon38 in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16752
• Replace relative paths to fix website build by @chrstnb in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16755
• Restricting to localhost by @cocosheng-g in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16548
• fix(cli): add explicit dependency on color-convert by @sehoon38 in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16757
• fix(automation): robust label enforcement with permission checks by @bdmorgan in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16762
• fix(cli): prevent OOM crash by limiting file search traversal and adding timeout by @galz10 in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16696
• fix(cli): safely handle /dev/tty access on macOS by @korade-krushna in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16531
• docs: clarify workspace test execution in GEMINI.md by @mattKorwel in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16764
• Add support for running available commands prior to MCP servers loading by @Adib234 in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/15596
• feat(plan): add experimental 'plan' approval mode by @jerop in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16753
• feat(scheduler): add functional awaitConfirmation utility by @abhipatel12 in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16721
• fix(infra): update maintainer rollup label to 'workstream-rollup' by @bdmorgan in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16809
• fix(infra): use GraphQL to detect direct parents in rollup workflow by @bdmorgan in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16811
• chore(workflows): rename label-workstream-rollup workflow by @bdmorgan in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16818
• skip simple-mcp-server.test.ts by @scidomino in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16842
• Steer outer agent to use expert subagents when present by @gundermanc in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16763
• Fix race condition by awaiting scheduleToolCalls by @chrstnb in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16759
• cleanup: Organize key bindings by @scidomino in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16798
• feat(core): Add generalist agent. by @joshualitt in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16638
• perf(ui): optimize text buffer and highlighting for large inputs by @NTaylorMullen in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16782
• fix(core): fix PTY descriptor shell leak by @galz10 in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16773
• feat(plan): enforce strict read-only policy and halt execution on violation by @jerop in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16849
• remove need-triage label from bug_report template by @sehoon38 in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16864
• fix(core): truncate large telemetry log entries by @sehoon38 in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16769
• docs(extensions): add Agent Skills support and mark feature as experimental by @NTaylorMullen in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16859
• fix(core): surface warnings for invalid hook event names in configuration (#16788) by @sehoon38 in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16873
• feat(plan): remove read_many_files from approval mode policies by @jerop in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16876
• feat(admin): implement admin controls polling and restart prompt by @skeshive in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16627
• Remove LRUCache class migrating to mnemoist by @jacob314 in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16872
• feat(settings): rename negative settings to positive naming (disable* -> enable*) by @afarber in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/14142
• refactor(cli): unify shell confirmation dialogs by @NTaylorMullen in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16828
• feat(agent): enable agent skills by default by @NTaylorMullen in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16736
• refactor(core): foundational truncation refactoring and token estimation optimization by @NTaylorMullen in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16824
• fix(hooks): enable /hooks disable to reliably stop single hooks by @abhipatel12 in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16804
• Don't commit unless user asks us to. by @gundermanc in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16902
• chore: remove a2a-adapter and bump @a2a-js/sdk to 0.3.8 by @adamfweidman in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16800
• fix: Show experiment values in settings UI for compressionThreshold by @ishaanxgupta in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16267
• feat(cli): replace relative keyboard shortcuts link with web URL by @imaliabbas in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16479
• fix(core): resolve PKCE length issue and stabilize OAuth redirect port by @sehoon38 in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16815
• Delete rewind documentation for now by @Adib234 in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16932
• Stabilize skill-creator CI and package format by @NTaylorMullen in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/17001
• Stabilize the git evals by @gundermanc in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16989
• fix(core): attempt compression before context overflow check by @NTaylorMullen in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16914
• Fix inverted logic. by @gundermanc in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/17007
• chore(scripts): add duplicate issue closer script and fix lint errors by @bdmorgan in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16997
• docs: update README and config guide to reference Gemini 3 by @JayadityaGit in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/15806
• fix(cli): correct Homebrew installation detection by @kij in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/14727
• Demote git evals to nightly run. by @gundermanc in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/17030
• fix(cli): use OSC-52 clipboard copy in Windows Terminal by @Thomas-Shephard in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16920
• Fix: Process all parts in response chunks when thought is first by @pyrytakala in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/13539
• fix(automation): fix jq quoting error in pr-triage.sh by @Kimsoo0119 in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16958
• refactor(core): decouple scheduler into orchestration, policy, and confirmation by @abhipatel12 in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16895
• feat: add /introspect slash command by @NTaylorMullen in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/17048
• refactor(cli): centralize tool mapping and decouple legacy scheduler by @abhipatel12 in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/17044
• fix(ui): ensure rationale renders before tool calls by @NTaylorMullen in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/17043
• fix(workflows): use author_association for maintainer check by @bdmorgan in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/17060
• fix return type of fireSessionStartEvent to defaultHookOutput by @ved015 in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16833
• feat(cli): add experiment gate for event-driven scheduler by @abhipatel12 in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/17055
• feat(core): improve shell redirection transparency and security by @NTaylorMullen in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16486
• fix(core): deduplicate ModelInfo emission in GeminiClient by @NTaylorMullen in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/17075
• docs(themes): remove unsupported DiffModified color key by @jw409 in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/17073
• fix: update currentSequenceModel when modelChanged by @adamfweidman in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/17051
• feat(core): enhanced anchored iterative context compression with self-verification by @rmedranollamas in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/15710
• Fix mcp instructions by @chrstnb in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16439
• [A2A] Disable checkpointing if git is not installed by @cocosheng-g in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16896
• feat(admin): set admin.skills.enabled based on advancedFeaturesEnabled setting by @skeshive in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/17095
• Test coverage for hook exit code cases by @gundermanc in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/17041
• Revert "Revert "Update extension examples"" by @chrstnb in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16445
• fix(core): Provide compact, actionable errors for agent delegation failures by @SandyTao520 in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16493
• fix: migrate BeforeModel and AfterModel hooks to HookSystem by @ved015 in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16599
• feat(admin): apply admin settings to gemini skills/mcp/extensions commands by @skeshive in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/17102
• fix(core): update telemetry token count after session resume by @psinha40898 in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/15491
• Demote the subagent test to nightly by @gundermanc in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/17105
• feat(plan): telemetry to track adoption and usage of plan mode by @Adib234 in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16863
• feat: Add flash lite utility fallback chain by @adamfweidman in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/17056
• Fixes Windows crash: "Cannot resize a pty that has already exited" by @dzammit in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/15757
• feat(core): Add initial eval for generalist agent. by @joshualitt in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16856
• feat(core): unify agent enabled and disabled flags by @SandyTao520 in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/17127
• fix(core): resolve auto model in default strategy by @sehoon38 in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/17116
• docs: update project context and pr-creator workflow by @NTaylorMullen in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/17119
• fix(cli): send gemini-cli version as mcp client version by @dsp in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/13407
• fix(cli): resolve Ctrl+Enter and Ctrl+J newline issues by @imadraude in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/17021
• Remove missing sidebar item by @chrstnb in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/17145
• feat(core): Ensure all properties in hooks object are event names. by @joshualitt in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16870
• fix(cli): fix newline support broken in previous PR by @scidomino in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/17159
• Add interactive ValidationDialog for handling 403 VALIDATION_REQUIRED errors. by @gsquared94 in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16231
• Add Esc-Esc to clear prompt when it's not empty by @Adib234 in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/17131
• Avoid spurious warnings about unexpected renders triggered by appEvents and coreEvents. by @jacob314 in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/17160
• fix(cli): resolve home/end keybinding conflict by @scidomino in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/17124
• fix(cli): display 'http' type on mcp list by @pamanta in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16915
• fix bad fallback logic external editor logic by @scidomino in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/17166
• Fix bug where System scopes weren't migrated. by @jacob314 in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/17174
• Fix mcp tool lookup in tool registry by @werdnum in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/17054

New Contributors

• @medic-code made their first contribution in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/12899
• @ehedlund made their first contribution in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16541
• @codefromthecrypt made their first contribution in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/14953
• @alexaustin007 made their first contribution in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/13981
• @cosmopax made their first contribution in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/13507
• @Vist233 made their first contribution in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16587
• @imaliabbas made their first contribution in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16479
• @kij made their first contribution in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/14727
• @Thomas-Shephard made their first contribution in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16920
• @Kimsoo0119 made their first contribution in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16958
• @jw409 made their first contribution in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/17073
• @dzammit made their first contribution in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/15757
• @dsp made their first contribution in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/13407
• @imadraude made their first contribution in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/17021
• @pamanta made their first contribution in https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/pull/16915

Full Changelog: https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/compare/v0.25.0-preview.4...v0.26.0-preview.0