Introducing Gemini CLI: Google's Open-Source AI Agent for Developers

Gemini CLI is likely an open-source AI tool by Google, bringing Gemini's power to your terminal for coding and more.
It seems to offer features like code editing, app generation, and task automation, with a generous free tier of 1,000 daily requests.
Research suggests it's great for developers, but comparisons with other tools like Claude Code show some debate on performance.

Introduction to Gemini CLI

Gemini CLI appears to be a new, open-source AI agent from Google, designed to integrate Gemini's advanced capabilities directly into your terminal. It’s aimed at developers who want AI assistance for coding, content creation, and task automation without leaving their command line. Released just two days ago, on June 25, 2025, it’s already generating buzz for its generous free tier and open-source nature.

Key Features and Benefits

Gemini CLI offers a range of features, including:

Querying and editing large codebases, making it easier to understand or modify complex code.
Generating new applications from inputs like PDFs or sketches, leveraging Gemini’s multimodal abilities.
Automating tasks such as handling pull requests or complex rebases, saving time on operational work.
Integrating with tools via the Model Context Protocol (MCP) and grounding queries with real-time Google Search data.

The free tier is particularly appealing, with up to 1,000 model requests per day and 60 requests per minute, accessible after signing in with a personal Google account. This makes it accessible for individual developers to experiment and use extensively.

Getting Started

To use Gemini CLI, you’ll need Node.js version 18 or higher, available at nodejs.org. Install it via npm with:

npm install -g @google/gemini-cli

Then, run gemini to start, and authenticate with your Google account for the free tier. For advanced use, generate an API key at Google AI Studio and set it as an environment variable.

Usage Examples

Here are some ways Gemini CLI can help:

Start a new project by asking it to write a Discord bot based on a FAQ.md file:

cd new-project/; gemini; > Write me a Gemini Discord bot that answers questions using a FAQ.md file I will provide.

Analyze an existing project, like getting a summary of recent changes:

git clone https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli; cd gemini-cli; gemini; > Give me a summary of all of the changes that went in yesterday.

Automate tasks, such as creating a slide deck from git history:

> Make me a slide deck showing the git history from the last 7 days, grouped by feature and team member.

These examples show how Gemini CLI can streamline development workflows, making it a versatile tool for both new and existing projects.

Technical Details and Extensibility

Built on MCP, Gemini CLI supports system prompts via GEMINI.md and customizable settings for personal or team configurations, enhancing extensibility. It shares technology with Gemini Code Assist, with agent mode available at no additional cost for all plans via the Insiders channel, detailed at Gemini Code Assist Agent Mode. This integration extends its utility, with a subset of functionality available in IDEs like VS Code, as noted in Google Cloud Documentation.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

Gemini CLI represents a significant advancement for terminal-based development, offering AI-powered assistance that’s both powerful and accessible. Its recent release has sparked enthusiasm, with X posts indicating strong initial reception, particularly for the free tier and open-source model. For developers, it’s a tool worth exploring, with potential to transform workflows. Visit the GitHub Repository to get started and join the community in shaping its future.