Google’s Free Gemini CLI Just Became a Full IDE with VS Code and GitHub Actions Support

Remember that free Google CLI that quietly disrupted the $200/month AI coding tool market? It just got a massive upgrade—and developers are already switching in droves. Two months ago, I highlighted how Google’s Gemini CLI was quietly outperforming premium AI coding assistants, offering powerful code generation and debugging at zero cost. Now, Google has dropped a game-changing update that turns the free terminal tool into a full-featured IDE companion. The latest release brings native integration with VS Code and support for GitHub Actions—features that were once the exclusive domain of paid platforms like Cursor and Windsurf. That means developers can now use Gemini CLI directly inside their favorite editor, with real-time suggestions, automated workflows, and seamless Git integration—all without paying a cent. If you're already using Gemini CLI, updating takes less than 30 seconds: npm update -g @google/gemini-cli New users can get started in seconds with: npm install -g @google/gemini-cli But here’s what really sets it apart: while other AI coding tools have been raising prices and cutting features, Google has been doubling down on innovation. The new version includes support for MCP servers, enabling secure, context-aware access to databases and backend systems—something even advanced paid tools still struggle to deliver reliably. And unlike some AI assistants that consume massive amounts of RAM and slow down your machine, Gemini CLI runs efficiently, delivering intelligent suggestions without bogging down your system. The result? Thousands of developers are ditching Cursor and Windsurf overnight, opting for a free, fast, and feature-rich alternative that just keeps getting better. If you’re still using a paid AI coding tool that doesn’t offer GitHub automation, native editor integration, or low-resource performance, it might be time to reconsider. Google isn’t just matching the competition anymore—it’s leaving it behind.