Google unveiled Gemini CLI on Wednesday, an open-source artificial intelligence tool that brings the company's Gemini AI models directly into developers' command-line terminals. The launch represents Google's latest effort to compete with similar AI coding assistants from OpenAI and Anthropic in the rapidly expanding market for AI-powered development tools.
The tool allows developers to make natural language requests for coding tasks, including explaining code sections, writing new features, debugging issues, and running commands. Unlike traditional programming interfaces that require specific syntax, Gemini CLI lets users interact with AI using ordinary language.
While primarily designed as a coding assistant, Gemini CLI extends beyond traditional development tasks. Developers can use the tool to create videos with Google's Veo 3 model, generate research reports, or access real-time information through Google Search1. The tool also connects to external databases through MCP servers1.
"With Gemini CLI, you can have a natural language conversation with your computer to solve problems, to weave complex workflows together to do way more than you could have possibly done in the past," said Taylor Mullen, a Google senior staff software engineer, according to NDTV Profit2.
The launch positions Google against established competitors in the AI coding space, including OpenAI's Codex CLI and Anthropic's Claude Code1. These command-line tools have gained popularity among developers for their integration speed and efficiency compared to other AI coding solutions.
Google has integrated Gemini CLI with its existing Gemini Code Assist platform, providing access through both VS Code and the terminal2. The integration gives developers on free, standard, and enterprise plans access to AI-first coding capabilities2.
To encourage adoption, Google offers substantial free access to Gemini CLI. Users can make 60 model requests per minute and 1,000 requests daily at no charge, which Google says is roughly double the average developer usage1. The free tier includes access to Gemini 2.5 Pro and its one million token context window2.
The company released Gemini CLI under the Apache 2.0 license, one of the most permissive open-source licenses1. Google expects developers to contribute to the project through GitHub1.
"We believe that these tools are going to dominate the way not just developers, but creators of all kinds, work over the next decade," said Ryan J. Salva, a senior director of product at Google, according to NDTV Profit3. "It doesn't matter whether you're a student or a hobbyist, a freelancer or a developer. You should have access to the same tools."
