# Gemini CLI

> Gemini CLI is an Apache-2.0 command-line agent from Google that brings Gemini models into your terminal. It can query and edit large codebases, run shell commands, connect tools through MCP servers, run non-interactively in scripts (with JSON output), and pair with a VS Code companion. Install with npx, npm, Homebrew or MacPorts. On June 18, 2026 Google moved unpaid-tier and Google One users to Antigravity CLI; Gemini CLI now works with paid Gemini API keys, Vertex AI or a Gemini Code Assist Standard/Enterprise licence. Gemini models only; no local model support.

- Repository: https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli
- Official docs: https://www.geminicli.com/docs/
- Checked: 2026-10-21

## What it replaces
- Claude Code: Edit code across a repo from the terminal with an AI agent, Run commands and tests, Use the agent inside VS Code or JetBrains, Connect tools and data through MCP, Run the agent headless in scripts or CI (GitHub Actions) (partial). Close match for terminal editing, MCP and scripting, but Gemini models only, the free tier has ended, and Google steers new users to Antigravity CLI.
  - Use it instead of paying for Claude Code? Personal use: Partly (Needs something paid: Paid Gemini API key, Vertex AI, or a Gemini Code Assist Standard/Enterprise licence). Business: Partly.
- Cursor: Let an agent plan and edit across many files, Run terminal commands and tests from the agent, Ask questions about your whole codebase, Connect tools and data through MCP (partial). Edits and answers questions about large codebases from the terminal; not an editor, so no tab completion and no cloud agents.
  - Use it instead of paying for Cursor? Personal use: Partly (Needs something paid: Paid Gemini API key, Vertex AI, or a Gemini Code Assist Standard/Enterprise licence). Business: Partly.

## Facts, with sources

| Question | Status | Answer | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Runs on my machine? | Confirmed | Yes, the CLI runs in your terminal; the Gemini models themselves run on Google's servers | https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli#readme | 2026-10-21 |
| Code licence | Confirmed | Apache-2.0 | https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/blob/main/LICENSE | 2026-10-21 |
| Model weights licence | Confirmed | No separate model weights | https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli#readme | 2026-10-21 |
| Commercial use | Confirmed | Allowed under Apache-2.0 | https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/blob/main/LICENSE | 2026-10-21 |
| Paid services needed? | No | A paid service is required since June 18, 2026; the free Google-account tier moved to Antigravity CLI. No local model support | https://developers.googleblog.com/an-important-update-transitioning-gemini-cli-to-antigravity-cli | 2026-10-21 |
| Hardware | Confirmed | 4GB+ RAM for short sessions, 16GB+ for large codebases; needs Node.js 20+ and an internet connection | https://www.geminicli.com/docs/get-started/installation | 2026-10-21 |
| Operating systems | Confirmed | Windows 11 24H2+, macOS 15+ and Ubuntu 20.04+ | https://www.geminicli.com/docs/get-started/installation | 2026-10-21 |
| Setup effort | Confirmed | Easy; run with npx or install with npm, Homebrew or MacPorts, then sign in or set an API key | https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli#readme | 2026-10-21 |

GitHub: 107492 stars, 14757 forks, last push 2026-10-22, archived: no.
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Source: RepoQuarry (https://repoquarry.dev/projects/gemini-cli). Data licence: CC BY 4.0. Quotes are from project documentation and belong to their authors.