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Gemini runs in the cloud, so it needs Hoista at an HTTPS address it can reach. Either:
  • Hoista on your computer, through a tunnel or proxy pointed at port 8788. See From your computer on the ChatGPT page; the steps are the same.
  • Hoista on a server: a remote or a self-hosted Hoista. Agents → Connect an agent in the desktop app shows its address.
Your Hoista URL is that address followed by /mcp, for example https://hoista.example.com/mcp. Custom apps in Gemini are limited for now: you need to be 18 or over and in the US, signed in with a personal Google account (not work or school), with Keep Activity on and Gemini in English. Setup is on the web; the app then works in the Gemini mobile app too.

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Add Hoista

  1. At gemini.google.com, open Settings → Connected Apps. If it isn’t listed, open Personal Intelligence first.
  2. Under Custom apps, choose Add a custom app.
  3. Paste your Hoista URL and choose Next.

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Approve it

When Gemini connects, Hoista asks you to allow it. On a server, its sign-in page opens: sign in with your passkey. On your computer, a page opens there instead, and Hoista asks for Touch ID or your password. Choose what Gemini may do and which projects it can reach, then choose Authorize. Gemini connects over HTTP, where Hoista can’t ask you questions in the chat, so Hoista offers it only View only or Full access. Ask for approval needs the tool to ask you. Start with View only, and widen it later in Agent permissions.

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Check it works

Ask Gemini: “What projects do I have on Hoista?” It should list your projects. If it doesn’t, see If it doesn’t connect.

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Gemini CLI

The Gemini CLI on your computer is a coding tool: it starts hoist mcp itself and doesn’t need a remote. Add Hoista with the settings hoist mcp config --name "Gemini CLI" prints, in the mcpServers object of ~/.gemini/settings.json.

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If it doesn’t connect

  • No Connected Apps or custom apps: your account doesn’t meet the requirements above yet.
  • Gemini can’t reach the URL: open it in a browser; you should see your Hoista’s sign-in page.

ChatGPT

Includes reaching Hoista through a tunnel.

Your remote

Hoista in your own cloud account.

Agent permissions

Change or narrow what an agent can do.