Gemini CLI is an open-source terminal AI agent from Google exposing Gemini 2.5 Pro/Flash and Gemini 3 models for coding, codebase exploration, shell automation, and MCP tool use. It authenticates via Google account or service account and shares its quota allocation with Gemini Code Assist IDE plugins — the same daily request budget covers both the CLI and the IDE extension.
Three authentication paths carry different compliance postures. Personal Google account access (free, 1,000 requests/user/day) routes prompts through consumer infrastructure; Google may use inputs to improve its products. Workspace-authenticated Code Assist Standard (1,500/day) and Enterprise (2,000/day) tiers route through Google Workspace data governance. Vertex AI path routes through the Google Cloud enterprise API with configurable data residency, zero-retention controls, and pay-as-you-go billing without hard daily caps.
The CLI source is on GitHub under Apache 2.0. CI and pipeline usage typically routes through the Vertex AI path to bypass per-user daily quotas and meet data governance requirements.
Key Features
Open-source terminal AI agent backed by Gemini 2.5/3 models
1,000 free requests/user/day via personal Google account
Shared quota and auth with Gemini Code Assist IDE plugins
MCP tool support and shell command execution
Pay-as-you-go via Vertex AI or Gemini API key for unlimited scaling
Workspace-tied Code Assist Standard (1,500/day) and Enterprise (2,000/day) editions
Integrations
2 total
scm
GitHub
cloud
GCP
Pricing
7 tiers
Free (Gemini API key)
Free
Free tier: 250 requests/user/day, Flash model only
Free tier of the Gemini Developer API. Useful for scripting, but lower cap than Google login.
Free (Personal Google login)
Free
Free tier: 1,000 model requests/user/day across Gemini Pro/Flash
Sign in with a personal Google account. Best for individual developer use. Note: prompts may be used to improve Google products on this tier.
Google AI Pro
$19.99/seat/mo
Personal Google One subscription. 1,500 model requests/user/day in Gemini CLI. Includes Gemini 3 access in US.
Google AI Ultra
$124.99/seat/mo
Highest individual tier. 2,000 model requests/user/day, $100/mo Google Cloud credits, plus Veo/NotebookLM perks. Listed as $124.99/3 months effective ~$41.67/mo.
