Continue vs Gemini CLI: pricing, features and which to choose

Continue is an open source coding agent project for editors, terminals, and pull requests. Founded by Ty Dunn and Nate Sesti, it launched in 2023 and entered Y Combinator’s Summer 2023 batch. It began with VS Code and JetBrains extensions, then added a command line interface and repository based agents. Continue’s homepage says it joined Cursor, while the open source codebase remains freely available. A June 2026 report described the hosted product as wound down, with users given until July 15, 2026 to export data. That change matters because Continue is no longer best understood as an independent vendor with a stable commercial roadmap. It is better viewed as an Apache 2.0 codebase and technology handoff for teams willing to manage configuration, providers, permissions, and ongoing operation themselves.

A typical workflow begins with installing the VS Code or JetBrains extension, choosing model providers, and assigning roles for chat, edit, apply, autocomplete, embeddings, and reranking. Developers can add repository rules, context providers, prompts, tools, and markdown agent files. The CLI runs an agent locally with a command such as cn --agent. GitHub Actions can discover agent files, run them in parallel, write job summaries, and create separate Check runs. Agents can read files and run commands, so the documented workflow recommends scoped GitHub permissions, secret based API keys, local testing, and review before enabling write actions. This makes Continue useful for teams that want repository controlled instructions and pull request checks, but less suitable for buyers seeking managed agents with little configuration or operational responsibility.

Continue offers more provider control than GitHub Copilot and keeps agent definitions close to repository code. Cursor is the closest commercial comparison and now owns Continue, while Claude Code is a stronger terminal first alternative with a more defined product identity. Gemini CLI offers another terminal workflow, and Goose targets configurable open source agents. Continue’s acquisition makes independent direction and hosted availability uncertain, and its agents can read files and run commands, requiring permission review and human checking. Pick Continue if Apache 2.0 code, local models, provider choice, repository based agents, and source controlled GitHub workflows matter more than a supported standalone subscription. Choose Cursor instead for a commercial integrated editor, or Claude Code for a clearer terminal first product with less emphasis on maintaining the surrounding codebase.

Gemini CLI is Google's open source terminal agent for developers, students, researchers, and technical users who prefer a shell over a browser or IDE. Google launched it on June 25, 2025, connecting the client to Gemini Code Assist technology. The Apache License 2.0 covers the client, which supports coding, content generation, problem solving, research, and task management. A session begins with the gemini command and a prompt that can reference files in the working directory. The agent can read and edit files, run shell commands, fetch web content, and use Google Search grounding. Its repository reported more than 107,000 stars, 14,000 forks, and hundreds of contributors in October 2026. Google also reported millions of users in its May 2026 transition announcement.

Gemini CLI supports persistent project instructions through GEMINI.md files, while checkpointing and chat history help users resume work. Model Context Protocol support connects local or remote tools, and extensions add services including databases, BigQuery, Cloud Run, and security analysis. Headless mode accepts positional prompts and returns text, JSON, or streaming JSON for scripts and automation. Approval controls allow users to review commands and edits before execution. Gemini CLI launched with Gemini 2.5 Pro and a 1 million token context window. Google later added Gemini 2.5 Flash Lite, prompt completion, structured JSON output, improved editing, citations, database extensions, and broader MCP handling. In February 2026, Google announced Gemini 3.1 Pro preview support. The repository advertises Gemini 3 models and weekly stable and preview channels.

Claude Code is a direct alternative for developers committed to Anthropic models and its paid workflow. OpenAI Codex CLI fits teams already using Codex models or ChatGPT. Gemini CLI differs through Gemini models, Google Search grounding, MCP support, and Google Cloud integrations. It has no standalone subscription, although paid API and cloud routes require separate credential, quota, and billing administration. The client is Apache License 2.0 software, but that license does not cover Google's models or services. Choose Gemini CLI if you need Google's terminal tools, Search grounding, MCP, or Cloud integrations through an enterprise or paid API route. Choose Claude Code for Anthropic's workflow, or OpenAI Codex CLI for Codex and ChatGPT users. Gemini CLI is best for Google focused teams that want an inspectable terminal client.