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Gemini 3 Pro on Gemini CLI

We’re excited to bring Gemini 3 Pro to Gemini CLI. Gemini 3 Pro is currently available on Gemini CLI to all of the following subscribers:

  • Google AI Ultra (except Google AI Ultra for Business).
  • Google AI Pro.
  • Gemini Code Assist Standard (requires administrative enablement).
  • Gemini Code Assist Enterprise (requires administrative enablement).
  • Paid Gemini API key holders.
  • Paid Vertex API key holders.

For everyone else, we're gradually expanding access through a waitlist. If you don't have one of the listed subscriptions, sign up for the waitlist to access Gemini 3 Pro once approved.

Note: Whether you’re automatically granted access or accepted from the waitlist, you’ll still need to enable Gemini 3 Pro using the /settings command.

How to join the waitlist​

Users not automatically granted access will need to join the waitlist. Follow these instructions to sign up:

  • Install Gemini CLI.
  • Authenticate using the Login with Google option. You’ll see a banner that says “Gemini 3 is now available.” If you do not see this banner, update your installation of Gemini CLI to the most recent version.
  • Fill out this Google form: Access Gemini 3 in Gemini CLI. Provide the email address of the account you used to authenticate with Gemini CLI.

Users will be onboarded in batches, subject to availability. When you’ve been granted access to Gemini 3 Pro, you’ll receive an acceptance email to your submitted email address.

Note: Please wait until you have been approved to use Gemini 3 Pro to enable Preview Features. If enabled early, the CLI will fallback to Gemini 2.5 Pro.

How to use Gemini 3 Pro with Gemini CLI​

Once you receive your acceptance email–or if you are automatically granted access–you still need to enable Gemini 3 Pro within Gemini CLI.

To enable Gemini 3 Pro, use the /settings command in Gemini CLI and set Preview Features to true.

For more information, see Gemini CLI Settings.

Usage limits and fallback​

Gemini CLI will tell you when you reach your Gemini 3 Pro daily usage limit. When you encounter that limit, you’ll be given the option to switch to Gemini 2.5 Pro, upgrade for higher limits, or stop. You’ll also be told when your usage limit resets and Gemini 3 Pro can be used again.

Similarly, when you reach your daily usage limit for Gemini 2.5 Pro, you’ll see a message prompting fallback to Gemini 2.5 Flash.

Capacity errors​

There may be times when the Gemini 3 Pro model is overloaded. When that happens, Gemini CLI will ask you to decide whether you want to keep trying Gemini 3 Pro or fallback to Gemini 2.5 Pro.

Note: The Keep trying option uses exponential backoff, in which Gemini CLI waits longer between each retry, when the system is busy. If the retry doesn't happen immediately, please wait a few minutes for the request to process.

Model selection and routing types​

When using Gemini CLI, you may want to control how your requests are routed between models. By default, Gemini CLI uses Auto routing.

When using Gemini 3 Pro, you may want to use Auto routing or Pro routing to manage your usage limits:

  • Auto routing: Auto routing first determines whether a prompt involves a complex or simple operation. For simple prompts, it will automatically use Gemini 2.5 Flash. For complex prompts, if Gemini 3 Pro is enabled, it will use Gemini 3 Pro; otherwise, it will use Gemini 2.5 Pro.
  • Pro routing: If you want to ensure your task is processed by the most capable model, use /model and select Pro. Gemini CLI will prioritize the most capable model available, including Gemini 3 Pro if it has been enabled.

To learn more about selecting a model and routing, refer to Gemini CLI Model Selection.

How to enable Gemini 3 Pro with Gemini CLI on Gemini Code Assist​

If you're using Gemini Code Assist Standard or Gemini Code Assist Enterprise, enabling Gemini 3 Pro on Gemini CLI requires configuring your release channels. Using Gemini 3 Pro will require two steps: administrative enablement and user enablement.

To learn more about these settings, refer to Configure Gemini Code Assist release channels.

Administrator instructions​

An administrator with Google Cloud Settings Admin permissions must follow these directions:

  • Navigate to the Google Cloud Project you're using with Gemini CLI for Code Assist.
  • Go to Admin for Gemini > Settings.
  • Under Release channels for Gemini Code Assist in local IDEs select Preview.
  • Click Save changes.

User instructions​

Wait for two to three minutes after your administrator has enabled Preview, then:

  • Open Gemini CLI.
  • Use the /settings command.
  • Set Preview Features to true.

Restart Gemini CLI and you should have access to Gemini 3 Pro.

Need help?​

If you need help, we recommend searching for an existing GitHub issue. If you cannot find a GitHub issue that matches your concern, you can create a new issue. For comments and feedback, consider opening a GitHub discussion.