gemini-live-api-dev

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---
name: gemini-live-api-dev
description: Use this skill when building real-time, bidirectional streaming applications with the Gemini Live API, or migrating legacy Live models (2.0/2.5/3.1) to Gemini 3.8 Live. Covers WebSocket-based audio/video/text streaming, voice activity detection (VAD), background reasoning (extended thinking), asynchronous function calling, session management, ephemeral tokens, live transcription, and live translation. SDKs covered - google-genai (Python), @google/genai (JavaScript/TypeScript).
---

# Gemini Live API Development Skill

## Overview

The Live API enables **low-latency, real-time voice and video interactions** with Gemini over WebSockets. It processes continuous streams of audio, video, or text to deliver immediate, human-like spoken responses and background reasoning.

Key capabilities:
- **Bidirectional audio streaming** — real-time mic-to-speaker conversations
- **Background reasoning (extended thinking)** — multi-step background reasoning with spoken conversational fillers
- **Live streaming transcription** — real-time speech-to-text with interim and finalized streams
- **Video streaming** — send camera/screen frames alongside audio
- **Text input/output** — send and receive text within a live session
- **Audio transcriptions** — get text transcripts of both input and output audio
- **Voice Activity Detection (VAD)** — automatic server VAD, client-side Hybrid VAD, and manual Push-to-Talk
- **Asynchronous function calling** — non-blocking tool execution while audio continues streaming
- **Full-session client content** — inject and update conversation turns mid-stream
- **Session management** — context compression, session resumption, GoAway signals
- **Ephemeral tokens** — secure client-side authentication

> [!NOTE]
> The Live API connects directly via **WebSockets**. For WebRTC support or simplified integration, use a [partner integration](#partner-integrations).

## Models

### Current Models (Use These)

- `gemini-3.8-live` — Default option for most low-latency voice agent experiences and real-time dialogue without reasoning delays. Supports interleaved reasoning, asynchronous function calling by default (`behavior: NON_BLOCKING`), and full-session client content updates.
- `gemini-3.8-live-extended-thinking` — High-reasoning audio-to-audio model recommended when higher background reasoning is required during live interactions. Processes background reasoning and async tool calls (`behavior: NON_BLOCKING` required) while streaming continuous spoken conversational fillers; lifecycle managed via `interaction_status` (`IN_PROGRESS` vs `IDLE`).
- `gemini-3.5-transcribe-live` — Real-time streaming speech-to-text with interim hypotheses, finalized transcripts, smart formatting, and Hybrid VAD.
- `gemini-3.5-live-translate-preview` — Real-time speech-to-speech streaming translation across 70+ languages.

> [!WARNING]
> **Legacy Models (`gemini-3.1-flash-live-preview`, `gemini-2.5-flash-native-audio-*`, `gemini-live-2.5-flash-preview`, `gemini-2.0-flash-live-001`)**: Read [`references/migration.md`](references/migration.md) for breaking protocol changes (`behavior: "NON_BLOCKING"`, `thinking_level`, `interaction_status`, `send_client_content`).

## SDKs

- **Python**: `google-genai` >= `2.3.0` — `pip install -U google-genai`
- **JavaScript/TypeScript**: `@google/genai` >= `2.3.0` — `npm install @google/genai`

> [!WARNING]
> Legacy SDKs `google-generativeai` (Python) and `@google/generative-ai` (JS) are **deprecated**. Never use them.

## Partner Integrations

To streamline real-time audio/video app development, use a third-party integration supporting the Gemini Live API over **WebRTC** or **WebSockets**:

- [LiveKit](https://docs.livekit.io/agents/models/realtime/plugins/gemini/) — Use the Gemini Live API with LiveKit Agents.
- [Pipecat by Daily](https://docs.pipecat.ai/guides/features/gemini-live) — Create a real-time AI chatbot using Gemini Live and Pipecat.
- [Fishjam by Software Mansi