Which model ID should be used for Gemini 3.6 Flash?
Use gemini-3.6-flash, keeping the decimal point in the version. It is the official stable model code and also the invocation ID on this platform, not a compatible name for 3.8 Flash.
How can I have Gemini 3.6 Flash analyze screenshots?
Write the message content as an array of content blocks, including both the text question and the image_url image. Images can use publicly accessible links or Base64 data URIs. Clearly specify the areas and issues you want checked; when comparing multiple images, provide each image with a name or contextual description.
Can I submit a PDF directly for it to read?
Prepare the document text, table data, or clear page screenshots relevant to the question, and specify whether you need a summary, comparison, or extraction of particular information. Submit according to the content formats supported by the selected public interface; a PDF address cannot be used as image_url. Request that results retain original-text locations, field evidence, and unconfirmed items, and verify key numbers against the source materials.
Why is there no body text after setting a very short output budget?
Gemini 3.6 Flash performs reasoning first, and the generation budget may be consumed before the final answer. Set max_tokens to 512 or higher and leave room based on task complexity; check finish_reason and usage to distinguish budget exhaustion from normal completion, rather than observing only the body length.
Can it run code or complete tool operations on its own?
Tool workflows should be organized according to the tool definitions and result formats of the selected public interface. The model is responsible for planning, interpreting results, and generating invocation suggestions; querying, running code, and writing are completed by the execution environment provided by the application. Actual completion status should come from tool returns and verification records, not solely from the model's description.