Gemini CLI Review: The Best Open-Source AI Agent for Developers?

For most people, AI still means asking someone to fix things over TeamViewer

If you’ve been scrolling through Indian tech memes, you’ve probably come across this joke. But what if we told you that Google’s new Gemini CLI is here to change the game? No, it’s not another “Actual Indian” (AI) joke it’s a serious contender in the world of developer AI tools. And the best part? It’s open source, free (to a large extent), and designed to work right from your terminal.

For Indian developers, who are always juggling between cost effective tools and cutting edge tech, Gemini CLI feels like that Bollywood hero who arrives just in time to save the day. But is it really the Shah Rukh Khan of AI tools, or just another sidekick? Let’s dive in.

What is Gemini CLI?

Gemini CLI is Google’s open source AI agent that integrates directly into your terminal. Think of it as your coding buddy who doesn’t just suggest code but also understands your entire project, fixes bugs, and even generates images or videos. Yes, you read that right this tool can create multimedia content too.

Here’s what makes it stand out:

• AI-Powered Coding: It can read your entire project, understand dependencies, and generate context-aware code.
• Google Search Integration: Need real-time info? Just ask Gemini CLI it fetches the latest data from the web.
• Multimodal Capabilities: From coding to creating images (via Imagen) and videos (via Veo), it’s a one-stop shop.
• Open Source: Licensed under Apache 2.0, it’s free to use and customize.
• Generous Free Tier: Offers 1 million tokens, 60 requests per minute, and 1,000 requests per day—perfect for students and freelancers.

Real Developer Experiences:

Since its launch, Gemini CLI has been making waves on platforms like Reddit and GitHub. Indian developers, in particular, are loving its free tier a godsend in a market where tools like GitHub Copilot often come with hefty subscription fees.

Here’s what developers are saying:

• Seamless Workflow: Many appreciate how Gemini CLI eliminates the need to switch between the terminal and web interfaces. It’s like having chai and samosa together—perfectly complementary.
• Open-Source Love: The Apache 2.0 license has won hearts, especially among Indian open-source enthusiasts who love contributing to global projects.
• Minor Hiccups: Some users have reported login issues, especially with Google Workspace accounts. But hey, what’s an Indian tech tool without a little jugaad to make it work?

Gemini CLI vs. GitHub Copilot vs. Claude Code:

Let’s pit Gemini CLI against its biggest competitors to see who takes the crown.

Verdict: For Indian developers, Gemini CLI’s open source nature and free tier make it a strong contender. GitHub Copilot remains the most popular, but its proprietary model and limited free usage might push cost-conscious users toward Gemini CLI.