Although metallic lithium is one of the most potential anode candidates for next-generation batteries, its applications are still restricted by several problems, especially the formation of lithium dendrites. However, insufficient emphasis has been placed on dealing with the incipient lithium dendrites. Herein, a three-dimensional insulating glass-fiber skeleton with gradient-distributed trigger-type carbonized ZIF-8 (GF-cZIF8) was developed. In this structure, plentiful conductive cZIF-8 on the collector/skeleton interface guided uniform lithium nucleation, while highly conductive and lithophilic cZIF-8 on the skeleton passivated and reversed lithium dendrites to a stable part of lithium anode when trigged by lithium dendrites. In addition, insulating glass fibers improved the homogeneity of Li ions. As a consequence, the GF-cZIF8/Cu collector exhibited a high and stable coulombic efficiency of 98 % after 280 cycles, and the GF-cZIF8-Li anode exhibited a low voltage hysteresis of 17 mV and a long cycling life up to 1100 h.