If you’re searching for a smarter, faster way to code directly in your terminal, Gemini 3 Flash in Gemini CLI is here to deliver. This latest release brings high-speed, high-quality AI coding assistance to your workflow, making complex tasks easier and everyday development more efficient, all at a fraction of previous costs.
Why Gemini 3 Flash Stands Out
Gemini 3 Flash boasts a SWE-bench Verified score of 78% for agentic coding, setting a new standard for accuracy and speed in AI-powered development. Outperforming earlier models and even Gemini 3 Pro in some benchmarks, Flash is engineered for efficiency, optimizing for speed, quality, and affordability. At less than 25% of the cost of Gemini 3 Pro, it empowers developers to accomplish more without financial strain.
- Designed for streamlined, high-frequency terminal workflows
- Delivers results much faster than previous generations
- Significantly reduces operational costs for routine and advanced coding
Simple Access for Developers
Gemini 3 Flash is available to most paid-tier users, including those with Google AI Pro, AI Ultra, Vertex API keys, and cloud-enabled Gemini Code Assist. Free-tier users on the waitlist are also being gradually onboarded, ensuring broad access while maintaining performance.
- Upgrade Gemini CLI to version 0.21.1 or later
- Enable “Preview features” in your settings
- Select Gemini 3 using the
/modelcommand
This setup allows seamless switching between Gemini 3 Flash and Pro, letting you auto-route complex jobs or select the best model for your needs right from the terminal.
Advanced Agentic Coding Within the Terminal
With Gemini 3 Flash, the bar for AI-assisted terminal coding is higher than ever. The model’s improved reasoning, advanced tool use, and rich multimodal capabilities let it handle sophisticated prompts, like generating 3D applications, quickly and reliably. While Gemini 3 Pro still leads in visual precision, Flash proves that rapid prototyping and dependable code can go hand in hand.
Real-World Productivity Boosts
- Complex Application Generation: Gemini 3 Flash has generated robust apps, such as 3D Voxel simulations, in a single pass with strong logic and structure.
- Efficient Context Understanding: It’s processed massive pull request threads, like 1,000-comment discussions, pinpointing and implementing key code changes with remarkable speed.
- Automated Backend Testing: Flash can instantly create and refine Python scripts for backend stress testing, leveraging
asyncioto simulate real-world user traffic and provide actionable feedback.
Stay Productive and In Flow
Gemini 3 Flash elevates day-to-day development by matching model speed and quality with your project’s needs. Intelligent auto-routing in Gemini CLI ensures you always use the optimal model, saving time, keeping costs low, and letting you focus on building. Whether prototyping or handling complex infrastructures, Flash becomes a reliable coding partner.
Take Your Terminal Coding Further
Gemini 3 Flash’s arrival in Gemini CLI signals a new era for AI-driven development: faster, smarter, and more accessible than ever. Google’s commitment to practical, high-value AI tools shines through in this release. Update your CLI and experience how Gemini 3 Flash can revolutionize your workflow.
Source: Google Developers Blog
Gemini 3 Flash Supercharges Terminal Coding Speed and Quality