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Gemini CLI vs Grok Build — Google Terminal Agent or xAI Shell Agent?

Gemini CLI and Grok Build both live on the AI CLI / terminal-agent shelf, but the Google path changed in 2026. Gemini CLI is Google’s open-source terminal agent for Gemini models (tools, Search grounding, MCP). As of 18 June 2026, Gemini CLI stopped serving requests for free-tier and Google AI Pro/Ultra individual accounts — those workflows move to Antigravity CLI (agy); Gemini Code Assist Standard/Enterprise and paid API-key paths remain supported. Grok Build is xAI’s terminal-first coding agent with subagents, worktrees, headless runs, and cross-session Memory. Use Gemini CLI when you still have a supported Google org or API-key path. Use Antigravity CLI when you are an individual Google AI user migrating off Gemini CLI (see /tools/google-antigravity and /comparisons/google-antigravity-vs-devin). Use Grok Build when you want an xAI-native shell agent. Existing Score references: Gemini CLI Score tested 2026-03-25 (overall 84); Grok Build Score tested 2026-05-28 (overall 82). Treat those as review evidence from those dates — the June access shift is later than Gemini’s Score date.

analyzed by Raşit Akyol September 20, 2026

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Gemini CLIwinnerGrok Build

Gemini CLI reviewGrok Build review

Verdict

For buyers who still have a supported Gemini CLI path, Gemini CLI remains a strong Google OSS terminal option, with Score tested 2026-03-25 (overall 84) as secondary evidence. For individual Google AI users after 18 June 2026, the real Google terminal path is Antigravity CLI — compare that surface to Grok Build rather than treating Gemini CLI as universally available. Grok Build is the better fit when you want an xAI shell agent with Memory and subagent/worktree workflows (Score tested 2026-05-28, overall 82, with a speed edge on that dated review). Prefer access eligibility and ecosystem fit first. Our pick: Gemini CLI.

community face-off

Who do you use in production?

1 community upvote
Gemini CLI 0% (0)Grok Build 100% (1)

What each product actually is

Gemini CLI remains an Apache-2.0 Google terminal agent, but who can use it matters as much as features. Org Gemini Code Assist and API-key users keep a Gemini CLI path; individuals on free/Pro/Ultra were redirected to Antigravity CLI. For the Antigravity product line see /tools/google-antigravity; for an Antigravity vs autonomous-agent comparison see /comparisons/google-antigravity-vs-devin.

Grok Build is a commercial xAI shell agent: TUI/CLI, subagents, worktree-aware automation, Memory notes, SuperGrok / X Premium+ or xAI API metering.

Current surfaces & access (vendor-documented)

Gemini CLI / Antigravity CLI (critical since Score tested 2026-03-25): On 18 June 2026, individual free / Google AI Pro / Ultra accounts stop on Gemini CLI and migrate to Antigravity CLI; install migrates skills/MCP/agents/gemini.md memory. Enterprise Gemini Code Assist and API keys remain unaffected. Sources: https://developers.googleblog.com/en/an-important-update-transitioning-gemini-cli-to-antigravity-cli/ · https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/discussions/28017 · https://antigravity.google/docs/cli/gcli-migration/

Antigravity CLI continues shipping through September 2026 (for example Gemini 3.8 Flash for API-key users, /resume workspace grouping). Source: https://antigravity.google/changelog/

Grok Build (since Score tested 2026-05-28): Memory (September 2026) adds background durable notes with /memory and /dream. Source: https://x.ai/news/grok-build-memory. CLI UX updates include /workflow pause/stop, fuller bash output, headless timeouts, and hooks/dashboard/MCP hardening. Source: https://x.ai/build/changelog

Scoreboard (from existing reviews)

Gemini CLI (Score tested 2026-03-25): overall 84, speed 78, privacy 70, developer experience 83.

Grok Build (Score tested 2026-05-28): overall 82, speed 84, privacy 72, developer experience 80.

Scores come from existing aicoolies reviews, not a paired session. Gemini CLI’s Score predates the 18 June 2026 individual-access cutover — do not read overall 84 as a green light for free/Pro/Ultra individual Gemini CLI users. Both Scores are candidates for a later pulse update when access and surfaces warrant it.

Workflow — who should pick which

Supported Google org / API-key Gemini CLI: keep Gemini CLI when grounding/MCP and that license path match.

Individual Google AI (free/Pro/Ultra) terminal users: prefer Antigravity CLI (and the Antigravity product line at /tools/google-antigravity), not a Gemini CLI vs Grok bake-off win. Migration context: /comparisons/google-antigravity-vs-devin.

xAI terminal users: Grok Build (subagents, worktrees, Memory).

Quick Comparison

Gemini CLIwinner

Pricing
Open-source CLI ($0 Apache-2.0 license). As of 18 June 2026, free and Google AI Pro/Ultra individual accounts no longer use Gemini CLI for requests — use Antigravity CLI instead. Gemini CLI remains for organizations on supported Gemini Code Assist / Google Cloud paths and for paid API-key usage.
Pricing Model
Open Source
Platforms
CLI (macOS, Linux, Windows)
Open Source
Yes
Telemetry
Clean
Status
Active
Editorial Pick
—
Last Verified
Sep 6, 2026
Description
Gemini CLI is Google's open-source terminal agent for coding with Gemini models, shell/file tools, web fetching, Google Search grounding, and MCP extensions. As of 18 June 2026, free and Google AI Pro/Ultra individual accounts no longer use Gemini CLI for requests — use Antigravity CLI instead. Gemini CLI remains for organizations on supported Gemini Code Assist / Google Cloud paths and for paid API-key usage.

Grok Build

Pricing
Commercial AI coding agent by xAI. Interactive terminal CLI access is included with SuperGrok ($30/mo) or X Premium+ ($40/mo) subscriptions. Headless and programmatic access is available via metered pay-as-you-go xAI API token billing.
Pricing Model
Paid
Platforms
CLI for macOS, Linux, and Windows via bash/WSL-style install; supports interactive TUI and headless single-prompt runs.
Open Source
No
Telemetry
Clean
Status
Active
Editorial Pick
✓ Recommended
Last Verified
Aug 26, 2026
Description
Grok Build is xAI’s terminal-first coding agent for planning, editing, testing, and reviewing code from a local CLI. It exposes subagent controls, worktree mode, headless JSON output, best-of-N parallel attempts, sandbox profiles, and cross-session Memory (/memory, /dream) for durable project conventions and facts. It fits developers comparing Claude Code, Codex, and Gemini CLI for local agentic workflows with deeper parallel execution.

FAQ

Can individual Google AI Pro or Ultra users still use Gemini CLI?

As of 18 June 2026, free-tier and Google AI Pro/Ultra individual accounts stopped on Gemini CLI and should migrate to Antigravity CLI. Gemini Code Assist Standard/Enterprise and paid API-key paths remain supported on Gemini CLI.

Who wins Gemini CLI vs Grok Build on aicoolies?

The editorial winner is Gemini CLI for buyers who still have a supported Google org or API-key path. Individual free/Pro/Ultra users should evaluate Antigravity CLI against Grok Build instead. Existing Scores: Gemini CLI overall 84 (tested 2026-03-25); Grok Build overall 82 (tested 2026-05-28).

What changed for Grok Build after its Score date?

Since Score tested 2026-05-28, Grok Build added Memory (September 2026) with durable notes and /memory /dream, plus CLI UX updates such as /workflow controls and headless timeouts.