Google has transformed how developers interact with AI by bringing its powerful Gemini models directly into the terminal environment with the release of Gemini CLI.
This open-source tool, released under the Apache 2.0 license, represents a significant advancement in AI-assisted development by integrating directly into developers' existing workflows. Rather than requiring context switching between applications, Gemini CLI provides immediate access to AI capabilities right where developers spend most of their time.
What sets Gemini CLI apart is its generous free tier. By simply logging in with a personal Google account, developers gain access to Gemini 2.5 Pro with its massive 1 million token context window (with plans to expand to 2 million tokens). The free tier provides an industry-leading 60 model requests per minute and 1,000 requests per day—limits deliberately set above typical usage patterns.
While primarily designed for coding tasks, Gemini CLI is a versatile utility capable of handling a wide range of functions. It can ground queries using Google Search for real-time information, generate new applications from PDFs or sketches using multimodal capabilities, automate operational tasks, and connect to external tools through the Model Context Protocol (MCP).
The tool's extensibility is particularly noteworthy, with support for customizable system prompts via GEMINI.md files and settings for both personal and team configurations. This flexibility allows individual developers to tailor their experience while enabling teams to standardize workflows across projects.
For professional developers requiring more extensive capabilities, Google offers options to use Google AI Studio or Vertex AI keys for usage-based billing, or to purchase Gemini Code Assist Standard or Enterprise licenses. The open-source nature of the project encourages community contributions, with Google welcoming bug reports, feature suggestions, and code improvements through its GitHub repository.