About Gemini CLI
Overview
Gemini CLI is Google's terminal-based AI agent for building, debugging, and deploying software with Gemini 3. A single npm command installs it globally and starts the agent from the command line.
You can query and edit large codebases, generate apps from images or PDFs, and automate complex workflows without leaving the terminal. The tool also supports an ecosystem of extensions.
Key Benefits
- Query and edit large codebases directly from your terminal with Gemini 3.
- Generate working apps from images or PDFs.
- Automate complex workflows from the command line.
- Install extensions from any GitHub URL or local folder.
- Build custom extensions from a template or a blank slate.
- Authenticate with a Google Account, AI Studio API key, or Google Cloud credentials.
How It Works
Install Gemini CLI with npm install -g @google/gemini-cli, then authenticate using a Google Account, an API key from AI Studio, or Google Cloud credentials. Launch it in your terminal to query code, generate apps, and install or build extensions that bundle MCP servers, context files, and custom commands.
Use Cases
- Explorers use the free tier to try Gemini CLI without paying.
- Professionals subscribe to Google AI Pro for higher usage limits across Gemini tools and other Google AI features.
- Power users choose Google AI Ultra for the highest usage limits and Deep Think reasoning.
- Teams and organizations join the Google Developer Program for Gemini Code Assist and corporate Workspace accounts.
- Builders authenticate with AI Studio for pay-as-you-go access and higher rate limits.
- Enterprises scale with Vertex AI for security, compliance, SLA, and regional data residency.
Why Choose This Product
Gemini CLI offers a range of access paths, from a free tier with instant Google Account sign-in to enterprise Vertex AI. Its extension system bundles MCP servers, context files, and custom commands into packages that teach Gemini how to use other tools.
Gemini CLI Pros & Cons
- Free tier with instant Google Account sign-in
- Extends via MCP servers, context files, and custom commands
- Multiple paid paths from Google AI Pro to enterprise Vertex AI
- Install extensions from GitHub URLs or local folders
- Replaced by Antigravity CLI on June 18th, 2026 for unpaid tier and Google One users
Key Features
Terminal AI agent
Query and edit large codebases and automate complex workflows directly from your terminal with Gemini 3.
App generation
Generate apps from images or PDFs using Gemini 3.
Extension installs
Install extensions from any GitHub URL or local folder to add tool capabilities to your workflow.
Custom extensions
Build your own Gemini CLI extension from a template for common use-cases or from a blank slate.
MCP bundles
Bundle MCP servers, context files, and custom commands into a simple package that teaches Gemini how to use any tool.
Multiple sign-ins
Authenticate with a Google Account, an API key from AI Studio, or Google Cloud credentials for Vertex AI.
Gemini CLI Pricing
View full pricing →- Great for getting started and exploring Gemini CLI
- Authenticate instantly with your Google Account
- Everything in the free version
- Higher usage limits for Gemini CLI and other AI tools
- Gemini in Gmail, Docs, Vids, and more
- Cloud Storage
- Everything in Google AI Pro
- Highest usage limits for our most capable models
- Access to Deep Think for complex reasoning through Gemini App
- Access to Gemini Code Assist
- Higher usage limits for Gemini CLI
- Cloud & GenAI monthly credits
- Use with your corporate Workspace account
- Authenticate with API Key from AI Studio
- Pay as you go for privacy, higher rate limits, and access to advanced paid-only models
- Authenticate via Google Cloud credentials or API keys
- Enterprise security and compliance
- Google Cloud terms of service
- SLA and regional data residency
| Feature | Free Free | Google AI Pro Custom | Google AI Ultra Custom | Google Developer Program Custom | AI Studio Custom usage-based | Vertex AI Custom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great for getting started and exploring Gemini CLI | ||||||
| Authenticate instantly with your Google Account | ||||||
| Everything in the free version | ||||||
| Higher usage limits for Gemini CLI and other AI tools | ||||||
| Gemini in Gmail, Docs, Vids, and more | ||||||
| Cloud Storage | ||||||
| Everything in Google AI Pro | ||||||
| Highest usage limits for our most capable models | ||||||
| Access to Deep Think for complex reasoning through Gemini App | ||||||
| Access to Gemini Code Assist | ||||||
| Higher usage limits for Gemini CLI | ||||||
| Cloud & GenAI monthly credits | ||||||
| Use with your corporate Workspace account | ||||||
| Authenticate with API Key from AI Studio | ||||||
| Pay as you go for privacy, higher rate limits, and access to advanced paid-only models | ||||||
| Authenticate via Google Cloud credentials or API keys | ||||||
| Enterprise security and compliance | ||||||
| Google Cloud terms of service | ||||||
| SLA and regional data residency |
Pricing extracted from the product website and may change. Check the source for current details.
Frequently asked questions about Gemini CLI
Is Gemini CLI free to use?
Yes. A free tier lets you get started and explore Gemini CLI by authenticating instantly with your Google Account. Paid plans such as Google AI Pro and Google AI Ultra add higher usage limits and access to additional Google AI tools.
How do I authenticate with Gemini CLI?
You can sign in with a Google Account, use an API key from AI Studio, or authenticate via Google Cloud credentials or API keys for Vertex AI. Existing AI Studio, Google Developer Program, or Gemini Code Assist Standard users can reuse those credentials.
What happened to Gemini CLI?
Gemini CLI was replaced by Antigravity CLI on June 18th, 2026 for unpaid tier and Google One users.
How do I install Gemini CLI extensions?
Install extensions from any GitHub URL or local folder to instantly power up your workflow. The extensions gallery lets you connect tools from industry leaders and the open-source community.
Can I build my own Gemini CLI extensions?
Yes. Start instantly with a template for common use-cases or build from a blank slate. An extension bundles MCP servers, context files, and custom commands into a simple package that teaches Gemini how to use any tool.
Is Gemini CLI free?
Gemini CLI offers a free plan with optional paid upgrades. See the pricing section for what's included in each tier.