Gemini CLI Featured

Score: 86/100 ⓘ How we score
Verified 2026-02

Google's open-source terminal AI agent bringing Gemini directly to your command line with built-in tools for search, file operations, shell commands, and MCP extensibility—free tier included.

🚀 See Gemini CLI in Action

Watch Gemini CLI use its built-in tools and MCP to complete a multi-step workflow.

💡 This is a simulated example demonstrating typical Gemini CLI capabilities. No actual LLM call is made.

Prompt:
Find all TODO comments in this repo, prioritize by importance, and create GitHub issues for the top 5.

Key Features

Free tier: 60 requests/min, 1000 requests/day with personal Google account
Gemini 3 Pro and Flash models with 1M token context
Built-in tools: Google Search grounding, file ops, shell commands, web fetch
MCP (Model Context Protocol) for custom integrations
ReAct loop for complex multi-step reasoning
Open-source under Apache 2.0 license
VS Code Gemini Code Assist integration

Best For

Terminal-First WorkflowsFree AI CodingGoogle Ecosystem IntegrationExtensible AutomationLarge Context Tasks

Key Specifications

Core CompetencyTerminal-First Workflows, Free AI Coding, Google Ecosystem Integration, Extensible Automation, Large Context Tasks
AI ArchitectureGemini 3 Pro (most intelligent, 1M context), Gemini 3 Flash (fast, 78% SWE-bench). Configurable model selection.
Context Window1M tokens with Gemini 3 Pro for massive codebase understanding.
Deploymentnpm install -g @google/gemini-cli. Open-source for self-hosting and modification.
Offline SupportCloud-based, requires internet for model inference. Local tools can execute offline.
IDE IntegrationTerminal-native, IDE-agnostic. VS Code integration via Gemini Code Assist.
Company Maturity1 years
Pricing ModelStandard - Individual developers

📊 Performance Metrics & Comparisons

Score Breakdown

Visual breakdown of this tool's performance across six key evaluation criteria

Top 5 Tools Comparison

See how Gemini CLI ranks against the top AI coding assistants in our directory

Common Use Cases

Detailed Analysis

✓ Strengths

  • Enterprise-grade AI models
    Powered by Gemini 3 Pro (most intelligent, 1M context), Gemin...

✗ Limitations

  • Internet dependency
    Limited or no offline functionality, impacting use in restricted environments

Expert Analysis

Gemini CLI democratizes AI-assisted terminal workflows with a generous free tier that rivals paid alternatives. The 1M token context window from Gemini 3 Pro handles massive codebases, while Gemini 3 Flash's 78% SWE-bench score delivers impressive agentic coding performance. The October 2025 extensions launch (Figma, Stripe, Elastic, and 20+ tools) demonstrates Google's commitment to making Gemini CLI a hub for developer workflows. With 1M+ developers using it since the June 2025 launch, it's becoming a serious Claude Code competitor for terminal-native developers.

Verdict

Gemini CLI offers solid AI development capabilities with specific technical strengths. Unique offline capabilities make it suitable for security-conscious enterprise environments. Optimized for enterprise team workflows with collaborative development features.

Who is This For?

**Experienced developers** working in specialized domains or with specific technical requirements.

Company Background

Status: Subsidiary of Alphabet Inc.

Founded: 2025 (Launched June 2025)

Backing: Backed by Alphabet Inc., one of the world's largest technology companies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gemini CLI free?

Gemini CLI is available for free. Google's open-source terminal AI agent bringing Gemini directly to your command line with built-in tools for search, file operations, shell commands, and MCP extensibility—free tier included.

What AI model does Gemini CLI use?

Gemini 3 Pro (most intelligent, 1M context), Gemini 3 Flash (fast, 78% SWE-bench). Configurable model selection.

What IDEs does Gemini CLI support?

Gemini CLI supports Terminal-native, IDE-agnostic. VS Code integration via Gemini Code Assist..

Does Gemini CLI work offline?

Yes, Gemini CLI supports offline mode. Cloud-based, requires internet for model inference. Local tools can execute offline.

How does Gemini CLI compare to Claude Code?

Gemini CLI scores 86/100 versus Claude Code's 98/100. Gemini CLI excels at Terminal-First Workflows and Free AI Coding, while Claude Code is known for Agentic Coding and Complex Refactoring.

What is Gemini CLI best for?

Gemini CLI is best suited for Terminal-First Workflows, Free AI Coding, Google Ecosystem Integration, Extensible Automation, Large Context Tasks. Free AI coding assistance with generous rate limits for individual developers and small teams

What is Gemini CLI's context window size?

1M tokens with Gemini 3 Pro for massive codebase understanding.

Sources

Primary references: blog, docs, release notes, API, and status pages.

User Reviews & Ratings

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