Connect Skilljar to Google Gemini [Beta]

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This article explains the process of connecting Gemini with Skilljar using MCP.

Overview

This article explains how to connect Gemini CLI to Skilljar through the Skilljar Model Context Protocol (MCP) server. After you connect, Gemini CLI can perform permitted Skilljar tasks from natural-language prompts.

The Skilljar MCP server uses OAuth 2.1. You sign in with your Skilljar Dashboard account and approve access. You do not need to create, copy, or store an API credential.

Prerequistes

Gemini CLI should be installed on your system. For the installation process, refer to the Run Gemini CLI article.

Supported Use Cases

The actions available in Gemini CLI depend on your Skilljar Dashboard permissions.

You can use the Skilljar MCP server to:

Find and manage students.
Enroll students in courses.
Create and organize groups.
Create courses and HTML lessons.
Update lesson content, titles, and order.
Translate course content into other languages.

Two people from the same organization can have different capabilities because each connection uses the permissions of the Skilljar user who authorized it.

Supported Gemini Experiences

Gemini Experience	Support
Gemini CLI	Supported. Add Skilljar as an HTTP MCP server and complete the OAuth sign-in process in your browser.
Gemini Enterprise	Supported as a preview feature. An administrator configures the Skilljar MCP server for the organization, and users authorize their individual Skilljar accounts.
Standard Gemini app	Custom MCP connectors are not available in standard Gemini chats. Eligible Gemini Spark users can add custom MCP apps for use in Spark tasks only.

Connect Skilljar to Gemini Enterprise

Gemini Enterprise allows administrators to add custom MCP servers as data stores. Gemini Enterprise refers to MCP tools as actions.

Gemini Enterprise currently requires explicit OAuth configuration, including authorization details and an OAuth client registration. Confirm the required Skilljar OAuth values with Skilljar Support before you configure this connection.

The setup Skilljar MCP server connection to Google Gemini Enterprise, follow the steps below:

Add the Skilljar MCP Server
Enable Skilljar Actions
Authorize Your Skilljar Account

Prerequisites

The following are required:

A Gemini Enterprise subscription.
Access to the Google Cloud project that hosts the Gemini Enterprise application.
The Discovery Engine Editor role.
Permission to create custom MCP server data stores.
The OAuth configuration values required for the Skilljar MCP server.
A Skilljar Dashboard account for each user who connects.

Your Google Cloud organization administrator might also need to allow custom MCP data stores and add the Skilljar authentication domains to the permitted egress domains.

Add the Skilljar MCP Server

An administrator completes this procedure once for the organization.

Open the Google Cloud console.
Navigate to Gemini Enterprise.
Select Data stores.
Select Create data store.
Search for Custom MCP Server.
Select Add MCP server.
Select OAuth 2.0 in the Authentication settings section.
Enter the following value in the MCP Server URL field:

https://mcp.skilljar.com/mcp

Enter the required Skilljar authorization URL, token URL, OAuth client information, and scopes.
Turn on PKCE Support when required for the Skilljar OAuth configuration.
Select Verify Auth.
Enter a description that explains when Gemini Enterprise should use Skilljar.
Select the required multi-region.
Enter a name for the data store.
Select Create.

Gemini Enterprise creates the Skilljar data store. Wait until its status changes to Active.

Enable MCP Actions

Gemini Enterprise turns off all imported MCP actions by default.

Open the Skilljar custom MCP data store.
Select Actions.
Select Reload custom actions when Gemini Enterprise requests authentication.
Review the imported Skilljar actions.
Select the actions that users need.
Select Enable actions.

IMPORTANT: Enable only the required actions. Retain user confirmation for actions that modify or delete Skilljar data.

Authorize Your Skilljar Account

Each user authorizes their own Skilljar connection.

Open the Gemini Enterprise application that contains the Skilljar data store.
Start a request that requires a Skilljar action.
Select Sign in when Gemini Enterprise requests authorization.
Sign in with your Skilljar Dashboard account.
Review the requested access.
Select Approve.

The available actions reflect your individual Skilljar Dashboard permissions. Two users from the same organization can have different Skilljar capabilities.

Connect the Skilljar MCP to Gemini CLI

To connect Gemini CLI to Skilljar:

Open Terminal on your Mac.
Run the following command:

gemini mcp add --transport http --scope user skilljar https://mcp.skilljar.com/mcp

Note: Theuser scope makes the connection available across your Gemini CLI projects. Use the project scope when you want to limit the connection to the current project.

Start Gemini CLI:

gemini

Enter the following command:

/mcp

Note: Gemini CLI detects that the Skilljar server requires OAuth authentication and opens Skilljar in your browser. Gemini CLI supports automatic OAuth discovery and token management for remote MCP servers.

Sign in with your Skilljar Dashboard account.
Review the requested access.
Select Approve.
Return to Gemini CLI.

If the browser does not open automatically, run:

/mcp auth skilljar

Configure the Connection Manually

You can configure the server~/.gemini/settings.jsoninstead of using the command line.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "skilljar": {
      "httpUrl": "https://mcp.skilljar.com/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Do not add API credentials or authorization headers. Gemini CLI discovers the Skilljar OAuth endpoints and starts the sign-in flow automatically.

Verify the Connection

Run the following in Terminal

/mcp

Confirm that skilljar has a connected status.
Confirm that the available Skilljar tools appear.
Enter a low-risk read request, such as:

List the first five students in my Skilljar organization.

Approve the tool call when Gemini CLI requests confirmation.
Compare the result with the Skilljar Dashboard.

For prompts to use, refer to Widget Library.

Disconnect Skilljar

To remove the server from Gemini CLI, run:

gemini mcp remove skilljar --scope user

You can also remove the skilljar entry from your Gemini CLI settings file.

Removing the server prevents Gemini CLI from using the connection. A dashboard admin can also revoke the authorization from Settings > API Credentials > Connections in the Skilljar Dashboard.