Gemini CLI launched as Google’s open-source terminal agent, but through 2026 Google has steadily moved users to a successor. If you still rely on it, here’s what has changed and where to go next.
The timeline
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| May 19, 2026 | Google announces Antigravity CLI (agy) as the successor to Gemini CLI |
| June 18, 2026 | Gemini CLI stops serving Google AI Pro/Ultra and free Code Assist users; they move to Antigravity CLI |
| July 17, 2026 | Consumer Gemini Code Assist on GitHub shuts down |
| October 9, 2026 | No new Gemini Code Assist Standard or Enterprise subscriptions |
| October 27, 2026 | Gemini CLI 0.66 adds a banner saying it isn’t optimized for Gemini 4 |
| January 31, 2027 | Last date to renew annual Code Assist subscriptions or add licences |
| December 31, 2027 | Last date to renew monthly Code Assist subscriptions |
Gemini CLI itself is still maintained (version 0.68.0 shipped on November 10, 2026) for Code Assist licence holders and paid Gemini API or Vertex AI key users.
Who is still affected
- Teams on Gemini Code Assist Standard or Enterprise: you can keep using Gemini CLI, but plan a move before your renewal date.
- API-key users: Gemini CLI still works with a paid Gemini API or Vertex AI key, but the project itself says it isn’t tuned for Gemini 4.
The alternatives
Antigravity CLI is Google’s own path forward. It has a free individual tier with basic weekly limits, higher limits on Google AI Pro ($19.99) and Ultra (from $99.99), and Business plans through Google Cloud. It runs the Gemini 4 models (Hydrogen on every tier, Argon on Pro and up, Carbon on Ultra) and is updated almost daily. It isn’t open source.
Claude Code is the strongest non-Google terminal agent, included in every paid Claude plan from $20 a month.
Codex has an open-source CLI (Apache 2.0), like Gemini CLI did, and comes with ChatGPT plans from $8 (desktop app only) or $20 for the full CLI.
Cline is open source and works with your own Gemini API key, so you can keep using Gemini models without Google’s CLI.
Zed is a good fit if you want an editor rather than a terminal agent, and can use Gemini through your own key.
Moving off Gemini CLI
- List what you depend on: MCP servers, custom commands and any scripts that call
gemini. - Try Antigravity CLI first if you want to stay on Gemini models; Google moved consumer users there directly.
- Pick a model-agnostic tool (Cline or Zed) if you’d rather not be tied to one vendor again.
- Check renewal dates for Code Assist so you don’t renew a plan you’re about to leave.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gemini CLI being shut down?
Not entirely, but its audience has shrunk. Since June 18, 2026 it no longer serves Google AI Pro/Ultra subscribers or free Code Assist users, who were moved to Antigravity CLI. Gemini Code Assist Standard and Enterprise, the paid plans that still include it, stopped taking new subscriptions on October 9, 2026.
What replaced Gemini CLI?
Google's successor is Antigravity CLI (the agy command), launched May 19, 2026. It shares its agent engine with the Antigravity desktop app and has a free individual tier.
When do Gemini Code Assist subscriptions end?
Google's deprecation page says annual Standard and Enterprise subscriptions can't be renewed (or have licences added) after January 31, 2027, and monthly subscriptions can't be renewed after December 31, 2027.
Can I still use Gemini models in other tools?
Yes. Gemini models are available in tools such as Antigravity, Copilot, Cursor (Premium and up, at API price), Cline and Zed with your own key.