gemini-cli - 💡(How to fix) Fix Error renderNodeToOutput makes CLI unusable after a single Edit file approval [1 participants]

Debug Console (F12 to close)
│
│
│ ℹ Detected terminal background color: #000000
│
│ ℹ Detected terminal name: VTE(8203)
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│ ℹ Both GOOGLE_API_KEY and GEMINI_API_KEY are set. Using GOOGLE_API_KEY.
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│ ⚠ Both GOOGLE_API_KEY and GEMINI_API_KEY are set. Using GOOGLE_API_KEY.
│ ℹ Authenticated via "gemini-api-key".
│ ⚠ [STARTUP] Phase 'load_builtin_commands' was started but never ended. Skipping metrics.
│ ⚠ Both GOOGLE_API_KEY and GEMINI_API_KEY are set. Using GOOGLE_API_KEY.
│ ✖ =========================================
│ This is an unexpected error. Please file a bug report using the /bug tool. │ CRITICAL: Unhandled Promise Rejection!
│ =========================================
│ Reason: RangeError: Invalid count value: -1
│ Stack trace:
│ RangeError: Invalid count value: -1
│ at String.repeat (<anonymous>)
│ at renderBorder (file:///home/alfonso/.nvm/versions/node/v25.9.0/lib/node_modules/@google/gemini-cli/bundle/chunk-C3HWPYQ6.js:37307:89)
│ at handleContainerNode (file:///home/alfonso/.nvm/versions/node/v25.9.0/lib/node_modules/@google/gemini-cli/bundle/chunk-C3HWPYQ6.js:37360:5)
│ at renderNodeToOutput (file:///home/alfonso/.nvm/versions/node/v25.9.0/lib/node_modules/@google/gemini-cli/bundle/chunk-C3HWPYQ6.js:37784:5)
│ at handleContainerNode (file:///home/alfonso/.nvm/versions/node/v25.9.0/lib/node_modules/@google/gemini-cli/bundle/chunk-C3HWPYQ6.js:37469:9)
│ at renderNodeToOutput (file:///home/alfonso/.nvm/versions/node/v25.9.0/lib/node_modules/@google/gemini-cli/bundle/chunk-C3HWPYQ6.js:37784:5)
│ at handleContainerNode (file:///home/alfonso/.nvm/versions/node/v25.9.0/lib/node_modules/@google/gemini-cli/bundle/chunk-C3HWPYQ6.js:37469:9)
│ at renderNodeToOutput (file:///home/alfonso/.nvm/versions/node/v25.9.0/lib/node_modules/@google/gemini-cli/bundle/chunk-C3HWPYQ6.js:37784:5)
│ at handleContainerNode (file:///home/alfonso/.nvm/versions/node/v25.9.0/lib/node_modules/@google/gemini-cli/bundle/chunk-C3HWPYQ6.js:37469:9)
│ at renderNodeToOutput (file:///home/alfonso/.nvm/versions/node/v25.9.0/lib/node_modules/@google/gemini-cli/bundle/chunk-C3HWPYQ6.js:37784:5) (x63)

TL;DR

The issue is likely caused by an unhandled promise rejection in the Gemini CLI, resulting in a RangeError: Invalid count value: -1 error, and a potential workaround is to try a different terminal or update the CLI version.

Guidance

• The error message indicates a problem with the renderBorder function, which is called repeatedly, causing the console to blink rapidly. This suggests a rendering issue.
• The fact that the error occurs when trying to edit files and the console output is rapid and interleaved with debug messages and errors, suggests a potential issue with the terminal or the rendering of the output.
• Trying a different terminal or updating the Gemini CLI version might help resolve the issue.
• The provided log suggests that the renderNodeToOutput function is called multiple times, which could be related to the rendering issue.

Example

No code snippet is provided as the issue seems to be related to the Gemini CLI and its rendering, rather than a specific code issue.

Notes

The issue might be specific to the combination of the Gemini CLI version (0.38.1), Node version (v25.9.0), and the terminal used (VTE(8203)). Further investigation or debugging might be necessary to determine the root cause.

Recommendation

Apply workaround: Try a different terminal or update the Gemini CLI version to see if the issue persists. This might help resolve the rendering issue and prevent the unhandled promise rejection.