Google has launched a free version of its Gemini Code Assist tool globally, starting February 25th. Powered by Gemini 2.0, this generative AI coding assistant integrates directly with popular IDEs like Visual Studio Code, offering developers significant assistance in their daily workflow. Previously available only to businesses, this free version, officially called “Gemini Code Assist for individuals,” is now accessible to everyone with a Gmail account.
With Gemini Code Assist, developers can leverage AI-powered code completion within their preferred coding environment. The tool provides suggestions as you type, helps troubleshoot problems via an integrated chat, and can even generate entire code snippets based on your prompts.
One of the most compelling aspects of this free offering is the generous usage limit of 180,000 requests per month, equating to over 5,000 requests daily. While each code completion suggestion counts as a single request, regardless of acceptance, this high limit allows for extensive usage.
The number of requests consumed will vary based on project complexity. Developers writing thousands of lines of code daily might approach the limit. However, for those working on more complex or concise projects, reaching the cap is less likely. Furthermore, code completion can be toggled off to conserve requests during periods of manual coding.
Overall, the 180,000 request limit is remarkably high compared to competitors. In a blog post, Google contrasted its limit with “other popular free coding assistants” capped at a mere 2,000 code completions per month, a clear reference to GitHub Copilot’s free tier. This generous allowance ensures even full-time developers can benefit significantly from the free Gemini Code Assist.
Beyond the high request limit, Gemini Code Assist also boasts a large token context window, enabling it to effectively process and understand large files when generating responses.
In addition to the individual offering, Google has also introduced a public preview of “Gemini Code Assist for GitHub.” This feature provides free code reviews for pull requests within GitHub, offering suggestions for improvements. This aims to enhance team collaboration and streamline the code review process.
To access Gemini Code Assist, users simply need a Gmail account. This free version includes all the features mentioned above. For more advanced functionalities, like productivity metrics, customized responses, and cloud integrations, users will need to subscribe to the paid version. With its generous free tier and powerful capabilities, Gemini Code Assist is poised to be a valuable tool for developers worldwide.
