Google launches free Gemini CLI tool for developers across platforms

Google has launched Gemini CLI, a free command-line tool that brings its Gemini 2.5 Pro AI model directly to developers’ terminals across Mac, Windows, and Linux. The open-source tool provides lightweight access to Google’s AI agent with capabilities extending beyond code understanding to include file manipulation, command execution, and troubleshooting, positioning Google to capture developer mindshare in the competitive AI tooling landscape.

What you should know: Gemini CLI transforms the traditional command-line experience by integrating AI assistance directly into developers’ existing workflows.

• The tool offers code writing and explanation, debugging assistance, project management, and natural-language documentation queries.
• Beyond coding tasks, it supports image and content generation, research capabilities, problem-solving, and task management.
• Users can customize prompts and instructions to tailor Gemini for specific workflows and automate tasks through non-interactive script integration.

Key features: The platform includes several built-in tools designed to enhance developer productivity and extend AI capabilities.

• Ground prompts with Google Search to fetch web pages and provide real-time, external context to the model.
• Built-in support for the Model Context Protocol (MCP) and bundled extensions to expand functionality.
• Multi-layered sandboxing with user confirmation requirements for security.
• Rich interface that goes beyond simple text responses to provide comprehensive development support.

Pricing and access: Google offers generous free usage limits alongside professional options for enterprise developers.

• Free access comes with a personal Google Account and free Gemini Code Assist license, providing access to Gemini 2.5 Pro’s 1 million token context window.
• Google touts the “industry’s largest allowance” with 60 model requests per minute and 1,000 requests per day at no charge.
• Professional developers can use Google AI Studio or Vertex AI keys for usage-based billing, plus Gemini Code Assist Standard or Enterprise licenses.

Open source approach: Google has fully open-sourced the project under Apache 2.0 licensing to encourage community development.

• The code is available at github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli with Google actively inviting developer contributions.
• The company encourages bug reports, feature suggestions, security improvements, and code submissions.
• This approach mirrors successful developer tool strategies that build ecosystems around core platforms.