Gemini CLI WorkPaper Extension

Gemini CLI extensions can load MCP servers from a repository manifest. Bilig ships a root gemini-extension.json that starts the WorkPaper MCP server with @bilig/workpaper@latest.

The manifest version tracks the published @bilig/workpaper release so gallery crawlers show current package metadata. The MCP command intentionally stays on @latest, because installed extensions should pick up the current WorkPaper server without editing local config after each Bilig release.

Use this when Gemini needs spreadsheet formulas as a tool contract instead of a spreadsheet UI session:

• edit an input cell;
• recalculate formulas;
• read the computed value back;
• persist the WorkPaper JSON;
• return proof instead of trusting a write call.

Official Gemini CLI references:

• https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/blob/main/docs/extensions/writing-extensions.md
• https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/blob/main/docs/extensions/reference.md
• https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/blob/main/docs/extensions/releasing.md

Install

gemini extensions install https://github.com/proompteng/bilig --ref main

Restart Gemini CLI after installing the extension. The manifest starts this MCP server:

{
  "name": "bilig-workpaper",
  "mcpServers": {
    "bilig-workpaper": {
      "command": "npm",
      "args": [
        "exec",
        "--yes",
        "--package",
        "@bilig/workpaper@latest",
        "--",
        "bilig-workpaper-mcp",
        "--workpaper",
        "${extensionPath}${/}pricing.workpaper.json",
        "--init-demo-workpaper",
        "--writable"
      ]
    }
  }
}

The default workbook path lives inside the installed extension copy. Gemini can edit it safely for a local smoke test without credentials.

Ask Gemini

After restart, ask Gemini for a proof-shaped workbook edit:

Use the Bilig WorkPaper tools. List sheets, read Inputs!B3, set Inputs!B3 to =0.4, read the recalculated output, and tell me whether the WorkPaper JSON persisted.

Useful answers should include the edited sheet and address, the before and after cell contents, the dependent output value, and whether the final readback was verified.

Discovery

Gemini CLI's extension gallery indexes public GitHub repositories with the gemini-cli-extension topic and a root gemini-extension.json. Bilig keeps the manifest at the repository root so the gallery crawler can validate it without a separate submission issue.

Bilig also checks the extension manifest in CI. If @bilig/workpaper is released and the manifest version is not updated with it, pnpm docs:discovery:check fails before the stale metadata reaches the public gallery.

Boundary

This extension exposes Bilig WorkPaper MCP tools to Gemini CLI. It does not claim desktop Excel macro support, Google Sheets account mutation, external link refresh, or compatibility with every XLSX feature. Use it for service-owned formula workbooks where JSON persistence and read-after-write proof matter.

Manifest: gemini-extension.json.

Context: gemini-workpaper-context.md.