How to create your first Gemini Gem

JB
Nov 21, 2025
4 min read

Updated: Dec 2, 2025

Alright, by now you’ve hopefully seen how helpful and powerful Gemini Gems can be. So, let’s walk through creating your first one.

Step 1: Open Gemini

Go to gemini.google.com on your computer, or open the Gemini app on your phone.

Step 2: Find the Gems Section

On desktop, look for the Gems icon in the left sidebar. It looks like a small gem or diamond shape.

On mobile, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and select "Gems" from the menu.

Step 3: Create a New Gem

Click the "Create New Gem" button or the plus (+) icon.

Step 4: Name Your Gem

Give your Gem a clear, descriptive name so you remember what it does.

Good examples:

"Toddler Activity Planner"
"Daily Workout Coach"
"Quick Snack Ideas"
"Weekly Meal Prep Assistant"
"Email Polisher"

Step 5: Write the Instructions (This Is the Magic Part)

This is where you teach your Gem who it is and what it needs to know about you.

Here is my formula for writing great Gem instructions:

1. Define the role Start with: "You are my [type of assistant]."

Example: "You are my meal planning assistant."

2. Provide your personal context. Tell it the specific details it needs to know about YOU.

Example: "I am vegetarian. I meal prep on Sundays for the work week. I have a small kitchen with limited counter space and basic appliances."

3. Explain what you will ask it to do Describe the recurring task.

Example: "When I ask for a weekly meal plan, provide 5 weeknight dinners."

4. Specify the format you want Tell it how to structure the response.

Example: "Always format responses with: ingredients list first, then step-by-step instructions, then estimated cook time and calories."

5. Add any rules or preferences Include things to avoid or prioritize.

Example: "Keep all recipes under 30 minutes. Avoid mushrooms and bell peppers. Prioritize high-protein meals."

Step 6: Save and Test

Click "Save" and your Gem is ready.

Now it's time to give your Gem a try! Open it and ask it a question to test if it is working the way you want. If the response is not quite right, you can always go back and edit the instructions.

Common Questions About Gems

Do I need to pay for Gemini to use Gems?

No. Gems are now available to be used by everyone, but they are subject to the different usage limits across the different access tiers, with the free tier being the most restrictive. If you’re using a free Gemini account and are running into daily usage limits, consider giving a paid plan a try and testing it out for one month to see if it’s worth it for you.

Can I edit a Gem after I create it?

Yes! You can always go back and update the instructions. In fact, I recommend starting simple and then refining your Gem as you use it. If you notice it is missing context or not quite giving you what you want, just edit the instructions and save again.

Can I share my Gems with other people?

Yes, you can share a Gem with family members, friends, or coworkers. This is perfect for collaborative tasks like family vacation planning or household management.

How many Gems can I create?

There is no official limit listed, but most users report being able to create dozens of Gems without issue. Start with your top 3 to 5 most repetitive tasks and grow from there.

What if my Gem is not giving me good responses?

This usually means the instructions need to be more specific. Go back and add more context. Tell it exactly what format you want. Give it examples of good responses. The more detailed your instructions, the better it performs.

Final Thoughts: Why This Matters

When I got let go from Google, I felt overwhelmed. I had spent seven years helping businesses understand and use complex technology, but suddenly I was staring at my own life and realizing I wasn’t using the available tech to make my own day-to-day easier. Using Gemini Gems and other tools has definitely helped change that for me. But using more tech, more often, is still a work in progress for me.

Your Next Step

If you are feeling overwhelmed by all the AI hype and you are not sure where to start, this is where I recommend you start.

Pick one repetitive task in your life. Create a Gem for it.
Try it out for one week and see how it feels.
See if it saves you time and mental energy.

Once you’ve done the above, come back and let me know in the comments section below. I love hearing how people are actually using these tools in real life. And if you want more guides like this, subscribe to our try-AI newsletter and follow try-AI on YouTube. We make simple, jargon-free tutorials for everyday people who want to learn about the benefits of using AI.

Just know that you don’t need to be a tech genius to use this stuff well. You just need someone to show you how. AI is evolving fast and we’re learning along the way, too. So, let's keep on figuring this out together.