Gemini CLI and Gemini Code Assist are Google's terminal agent and IDE coding assistant, and during 2026 both moved from broad availability to an enterprise-only product with published sunset dates. Gemini CLI is an open source (Apache 2.0) terminal agent; Gemini Code Assist is the licensed service behind it and behind the Code Assist extensions for VS Code, JetBrains IDEs and Google Cloud editors. This page sets out what each product is, who can still use it, the quotas and plan rules that apply, the features, the data handling terms, the release history and the dates that matter for planning. It is written for developers, engineering managers and platform teams who already run these tools or are deciding what to do before their contract ends. Last checked: 2026-11-15.
This is an independent guide from NHI Mgmt Group, based on Google's public documentation as of November 2026. It is not sponsored or reviewed by Google. Product features change, so confirm settings against Google's current documentation.
Key takeaways
- Consumer access has ended. Since 18 June 2026, free Gemini Code Assist for individuals and Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers are no longer served in Gemini CLI or the Code Assist IDE extensions; Google moved those users to Antigravity CLI.
- Enterprise access continues for now. Gemini Code Assist Standard and Enterprise customers, Code Assist for GitHub through Google Cloud, and paid Gemini API or Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform API keys can still use Gemini CLI.
- No new subscriptions since 9 October 2026. Google's sunset page states annual plans cannot auto-renew after 31 January 2027 and monthly plans after 31 December 2027, with support to the end of each contract.
- Quotas are per user per day. Gemini CLI and agent mode allow 1,500 requests per user per day on Standard and 2,000 on Enterprise, combined across all models.
- Model support is capped. The sunset page limits support to the Gemini 3.x family, and the project README says Gemini CLI is not tuned for the Gemini 4 series.
What is Gemini CLI and Gemini Code Assist?
Gemini CLI (command gemini) is an open source terminal agent published by Google on GitHub under the Apache License 2.0. The project README now describes it as "maintained for enterprise Gemini Code Assist workflows on Google Cloud." It reads and edits code, runs shell commands, connects to Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers and can run non-interactively in scripts.
Gemini Code Assist is the licensed Google Cloud service. Google's documentation describes two current editions, Standard and Enterprise, both bought and administered through Google Cloud. Code Assist powers code completion, chat and agent mode in supported IDEs, and Gemini CLI uses the same licence and quota when a developer signs in with a Google account tied to a Code Assist subscription.
Jules is a separate Google product: an asynchronous coding agent that works on GitHub repositories in a cloud virtual machine. It is covered briefly below because it is often confused with the Code Assist agent features.
Who can still use Gemini CLI
| User group | Status as of 15 November 2026 | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Gemini Code Assist for individuals (free) | Requests stopped being served on 18 June 2026; moved to Antigravity CLI | Google Developers Blog transition post |
| Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers | Requests stopped being served on 18 June 2026; moved to Antigravity CLI | Google Developers Blog transition post |
| Gemini Code Assist for GitHub (consumer installs) | New installations ended 18 June 2026, requests stopped in the following weeks | Google Developers Blog transition post |
| Code Assist for GitHub through Google Cloud | Access unchanged | Google Developers Blog transition post |
| Gemini Code Assist Standard and Enterprise | Supported to contract end; no new purchases since 9 October 2026 | Google Cloud sunset page |
| Paid Gemini API keys and Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform API keys | Can still access Gemini CLI | Google Developers Blog transition post |
As of November 2026 the transition post does not state whether unpaid Gemini API keys continue to work with Gemini CLI; check the README before relying on that route.
Key facts at a glance
As of 15 November 2026.
| Field | Gemini CLI | Gemini Code Assist |
|---|---|---|
| Owner | Google Cloud | |
| Type | Open source terminal agent | Licensed coding assistant service with IDE extensions |
| Licence | Apache License 2.0 | Google Cloud Platform Terms of Service and Plugin Software License Agreement |
| Install | npm package @google/gemini-cli, Homebrew, MacPorts, or npx without install | IDE extension per supported IDE |
| Earliest release note in repository | v0.4.0, 1 September 2025 | Not stated in the pages reviewed |
| Latest release reviewed | v0.68.0, 10 November 2026 | Not applicable |
| Status | Maintained for enterprise Code Assist workflows | Sunset announced; no new subscriptions since 9 October 2026 |
| Models | Gemini 3.x family supported; not tuned for Gemini 4 | Gemini 3.x family supported |
| Free tier | Ended for consumer accounts on 18 June 2026 | Consumer accounts listed as deprecated |
| Successor named by Google | Antigravity CLI | Antigravity, included in Gemini Enterprise editions |
Plans and pricing
Google no longer sells new Gemini Code Assist subscriptions. The former Code Assist product page now redirects to the sunset page, and Google's pricing for new Standard or Enterprise seats is not published. Existing customers keep their contracted price. The dates below are as stated on Google Cloud's sunset page, last updated 10 November 2026.
| Date | What changes |
|---|---|
| 9 October 2026 | New Standard or Enterprise subscriptions can no longer be purchased; new Gemini Enterprise Standard and Plus subscriptions no longer include a Code Assist entitlement |
| 31 January 2027 | Last date annual subscriptions can auto-renew; last date to add licences to an existing subscription |
| 31 March 2027 | Existing Gemini Enterprise subscriptions keep their Code Assist entitlement until this date |
| 31 December 2027 | Last date monthly subscriptions can auto-renew |
| Contract end | Existing Code Assist subscriptions are supported until the end of the contractual agreement |
Usage routes and how they are billed
| Sign-in route | How usage is paid for | Terms that apply |
|---|---|---|
| Google account with Code Assist Standard or Enterprise licence | Per-user subscription; daily request quota | Google Cloud Platform Terms of Service and Google Cloud Privacy Notice |
Paid Gemini API key (GEMINI_API_KEY) | Usage-based Gemini API billing | Gemini API Terms of Service, Paid Services |
Vertex AI (GOOGLE_GENAI_USE_VERTEXAI=true) | Usage-based Google Cloud billing | Google Cloud Platform Terms of Service |
Google's terms page for Gemini CLI also warns that calling the services behind Gemini CLI, such as the Code Assist service, through third-party software using Gemini CLI OAuth breaches the terms and may lead to account suspension.
Quotas
As of 15 November 2026, from Google Cloud's quotas page (last updated 10 November 2026).
| Quota | Standard | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|
| Gemini CLI and agent mode requests per user per day | 1,500 | 2,000 |
| Code generation and completion requests per day | 6,000 (stated without an edition split) | 6,000 (stated without an edition split) |
| Chat and other Cloud Assist panel requests per day | 960 (stated without an edition split) | 960 (stated without an edition split) |
| Per-user rate in a project | 2 requests per second | 2 requests per second |
| Per-minute limit | Not stated by Google; limited per user per minute and subject to demand | Not stated by Google; limited per user per minute and subject to demand |
The daily CLI and agent mode limit is combined across all model versions. Once it is reached, those interfaces stop accepting requests until the quota resets.
Models available
Google's sunset page states that Code Assist support is limited to the Gemini 3.x model family. The Gemini CLI README adds that the CLI is "not optimized" for the Gemini 4 series and should not be used to benchmark Gemini models, because its harness produces unrepresentative scores for Gemini 4 and later. Google points users who want Gemini 4 models, including Gemini 4 Argon, to Antigravity CLI.
- Model choice: with a Google account, Gemini CLI routes requests across the Gemini family as the CLI determines. With an API key, the
-mflag selects a specific model. - Model discovery: v0.67.0 (4 November 2026) added a
modelscommand and a--list-modelsflag to list the models available to the signed-in account. - Training data: Google states the Code Assist models were trained on public code, Google Cloud-specific material and other technical information, in addition to the Gemini foundation model datasets.
For the model line-up itself, see the Google Gemini Models.
Features and modes
Gemini CLI
| Feature | What it does |
|---|---|
| Interactive agent | Queries and edits large codebases, debugs from natural language, builds apps from PDFs, images or sketches |
| Headless mode | gemini -p runs a single prompt; --output-format json and stream-json give structured output for scripts and CI |
| Context files | GEMINI.md files give persistent project instructions |
| Built-in tools | File system operations, shell commands, web fetch and web search |
| MCP servers | Configured in ~/.gemini/settings.json; administrators can restrict them with mcp.allowed |
| Extensions and custom commands | Packaged commands, context and MCP servers; v0.68.0 added an extension validation command |
| Checkpointing and token caching | Save and resume sessions; reuse cached tokens to reduce usage |
| Auto mode | v0.44.0 (27 May 2026) merged separate auto modes into one unified mode |
| Hooks and subagents | Hook events, including a SubagentStop event mapping added in v0.68.0 |
| Sandboxing | GEMINI_SANDBOX accepts docker, podman, sandbox-exec (macOS Seatbelt), runsc (gVisor) or lxc |
| Trusted folders | Controls execution policy per folder; workspace trust is fail-closed since v0.59.0 |
| Telemetry | OpenTelemetry export; custom OTLP headers since v0.65.0 |
Gemini Code Assist
- Both editions: code completion and generation, chat in the IDE, agentic chat for multi-step tasks using system tools and MCP servers, and smart actions and commands.
- Standard benefits listed by Google: local codebase awareness, source citations, IP indemnification for code suggestions, VPC Service Controls and Private Google Access, and integrations with Firebase, Colab Enterprise, BigQuery data insights, Cloud Run and Database Studio.
- Enterprise adds: code customisation from private codebases, and integrations with Apigee, Application Integration and Gemini Cloud Assist.
- Code Assist for GitHub: pull request review on GitHub, available to organisations through Google Cloud; consumer installations ended on 18 June 2026.
Jules
Jules clones a selected GitHub repository and branch into a cloud VM, drafts a plan using Gemini 3 Pro, shows a diff for review and opens a pull request once approved. Tasks can also be assigned by adding a jules label to a GitHub issue. The Jules site lists three tiers, with no prices shown on that page.
| Jules tier | Tasks per day | Concurrent tasks | Model access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jules | 15 | 3 | Gemini 2.5 Pro |
| Jules in Pro | 100 | 15 | Higher access, starting with Gemini 3 Pro |
| Jules in Ultra | 300 | 60 | Priority access, starting with Gemini 3 Pro |
Supported IDEs and platforms
- Code Assist IDEs: VS Code, JetBrains IDEs (such as IntelliJ and PyCharm), Android Studio, Cloud Shell Editor and Cloud Workstations.
- Gemini CLI platforms: any system with Node.js through npm or npx; Homebrew on macOS and Linux; MacPorts on macOS; Anaconda environments for restricted machines. System settings paths are documented for Linux, Windows and macOS.
- Editor integrations for the CLI: a VS Code companion; v0.44.0 added native support for Sublime Text and Emacs; v0.67.0 bridged the IDE companion into container sandboxes.
- Release channels: stable releases every Tuesday at 20:00 UTC (
@latest), preview releases every Tuesday at 23:59 UTC (@preview) and nightly builds at 00:00 UTC (@nightly). - Successor IDE extensions: Google's sunset page states Antigravity IDE extensions are available for VS Code and JetBrains.
Enterprise and admin controls
| Control | Where it is set | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| System settings file | /etc/gemini-cli/settings.json (Linux), C:\ProgramData\gemini-cli\settings.json (Windows), /Library/Application Support/GeminiCli/settings.json (macOS) | Administrator settings that override user and project settings |
| Settings path override | GEMINI_CLI_SYSTEM_SETTINGS_PATH | Points the CLI at a managed settings file |
| MCP allowlist | mcp.allowed | Only named MCP servers can run |
| Sandbox | tools.sandbox or GEMINI_SANDBOX | Runs tools in a container, gVisor or Seatbelt profile |
| Licences and project | Google Cloud console; GOOGLE_CLOUD_PROJECT on the client | Ties CLI use to the licensed Cloud project |
| Network controls | VPC Service Controls and Private Google Access | Keeps Code Assist traffic inside the organisation's perimeter |
The setting-by-setting hardening baseline, policy engine rules and logging design are covered in the Gemini CLI and Gemini Code Assist Security Guide.
Data handling and privacy
- Model training: Google's Gemini for Google Cloud data governance page states "Gemini doesn't use your prompts or its responses as data to train its models." Optional data sharing in Trusted Tester features is used for product improvement, not model training.
- Encryption: prompts are encrypted in transit to the model; Google links its standard encryption at rest and in transit documentation.
- Code customisation: the Enterprise feature requires Google to access and store the organisation's private code to deliver it.
- Contract terms: prompts on Standard and Enterprise are handled under the Google Cloud terms of service and the Cloud Data Processing Addendum.
- Citations and indemnity: Code Assist gives source citations when a suggestion quotes a source at length, and Standard lists IP indemnification for code suggestions.
- API key routes: Gemini API paid usage falls under the Gemini API Terms of Service for Paid Services; Vertex AI usage falls under the Google Cloud terms and privacy notice.
- Usage statistics: Gemini CLI usage statistics are handled under Google's Privacy Policy.
Retention periods for Code Assist prompts are not stated on the data governance page reviewed. Teams that need them should check the Code Assist audit logging and certifications pages Google links from there. The wider question of which AI services staff may use is covered in the AI IDE and Coding Agent Security Guide.
Release history
Selected entries from the Gemini CLI release notes and Google announcements, as of 15 November 2026.
| Date | Release or event | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Sep 2025 | Gemini CLI v0.4.0 | Cloud Run and security extension integrations (earliest entry in the repository release notes) |
| 19 May 2026 | Announcement | Google announces Antigravity CLI and the move of consumer plans away from Gemini CLI |
| 27 May 2026 | v0.44.0 | Unified auto mode; Sublime Text and Emacs integrations |
| 18 Jun 2026 | Consumer cut-off | Free individuals and Google AI Pro and Ultra stop being served; consumer Code Assist for GitHub installs end |
| 8 Sep 2026 | v0.59.0 | MCP OAuth SSRF mitigation; fail-closed workspace trust |
| 6 Oct 2026 | v0.63.0 | Autonomous plan execution in non-interactive mode |
| 9 Oct 2026 | Code Assist sunset | New Standard and Enterprise subscriptions no longer sold |
| 20 Oct 2026 | v0.65.0 | Custom OTLP telemetry headers; read-only workspace enforcement |
| 4 Nov 2026 | v0.67.0 | models command; IDE companion bridged into container sandboxes |
| 10 Nov 2026 | v0.68.0 | Extension validation command; rate-limit cool-down shown to users; SubagentStop hook mapping |
Limits and known constraints
- Audience: as of November 2026, Gemini CLI is designed for Code Assist Standard and Enterprise licences, Code Assist for GitHub on Google Cloud and paid API keys; personal Google accounts are directed to Antigravity CLI.
- Fixed end dates: renewals stop on 31 January 2027 (annual) and 31 December 2027 (monthly), so a migration plan is needed within the current contract term.
- Model ceiling: support is limited to Gemini 3.x; newer Gemini models are served through Antigravity.
- Daily caps: 1,500 or 2,000 CLI and agent mode requests per user per day, plus an unpublished per-minute limit that varies with demand.
- Feature parity on migration: Google's transition post states Antigravity CLI does not have one-to-one feature parity at launch, and extensions are renamed Antigravity plugins.
- Release cadence: weekly stable releases change behaviour often; pin a version for CI and managed fleets.
Security guidance
Gemini CLI runs with the developer's own credentials, so its safety depends on managed settings, sandboxing, MCP allowlists and how API keys and service accounts are handled. These are customer-side controls. The Gemini CLI and Gemini Code Assist Security Guide covers them in detail. For credentials that coding agents read from developer machines, see AI Coding Tools and Secrets Sprawl, and for a structured review of tokens and agent config files see How to audit AI coding assistant tokens and config files. Apply Gemini CLI updates promptly and follow the project's security advisories.
During a migration, plan for the identity side as well: revoke API keys and OAuth grants that were issued for Gemini CLI once a team moves, and remove stale GEMINI_API_KEY and GOOGLE_API_KEY values from shells, CI variables and dotfiles.
Practitioner checklist
- Record each Code Assist subscription's type (annual or monthly), renewal date and contract end against the sunset dates.
- Find developers still signing in with personal Google accounts and move them to the licensed Cloud project or the successor tool.
- Pin a Gemini CLI version for CI and managed fleets, and review the weekly release notes before upgrading.
- Deploy a system
settings.jsonwith a sandbox, anmcp.allowedlist and approved extensions. - Set
GOOGLE_CLOUD_PROJECTfor licensed users so usage counts against the organisation's quota and terms. - Monitor daily request use against the 1,500 or 2,000 per-user cap and plan for the unpublished per-minute limit.
- Inventory and rotate API keys used with Gemini CLI, and revoke them when a team stops using it.
- Test the successor tool against your workflows before renewal deadlines, since Google states parity is not one-to-one.
Standards and references
- Google Cloud: Gemini Code Assist Standard and Enterprise Sunset
- Google Developers Blog: Transitioning Gemini CLI to Antigravity CLI
- Google Cloud: Gemini Code Assist Overview
- Google Cloud: Gemini for Google Cloud Quotas and Limits
- Google Cloud: How Gemini for Google Cloud Uses Your Data
- Google: Gemini CLI Repository and README
- Google: Gemini CLI Release Notes
- Google: Jules
Related NHI Mgmt Group resources: Gemini CLI and Gemini Code Assist Security Guide · Google Gemini Models · AI IDE and Coding Agent Security Guide · AI Coding Tools and Secrets Sprawl