Gemini CLI operates differently from traditional IDE-based coding assistants and does not provide inline code suggestions in the conventional sense. Unlike tools that offer real-time code completions and suggestions as you type within an editor, Gemini CLI functions as a conversational AI agent in your terminal that provides comprehensive responses to your queries rather than inline hints. When you request code assistance, the tool generates complete code blocks, functions, or even entire files based on your natural language prompts, but this happens through explicit conversational interactions rather than automatic inline suggestions while you’re actively coding.
The distinction is important because Gemini CLI is designed for a different workflow paradigm. Instead of predicting what you might type next, it engages in more substantial conversations about your development challenges, generates larger code segments, and provides comprehensive solutions to complex problems. When you describe what you want to build or ask for help with a specific coding task, Gemini CLI responds with complete, well-structured code that you can then copy and use in your projects. This approach is more suited to high-level problem-solving, code generation, and architectural discussions rather than line-by-line coding assistance.
However, if you’re looking for inline code suggestions, Google offers Gemini Code Assist, which shares the same underlying technology as Gemini CLI but is specifically designed for IDE integration. Gemini Code Assist provides the inline suggestions, real-time completions, and editor-integrated features that many developers expect from modern AI coding assistants. The two tools complement each other perfectly – use Gemini CLI for comprehensive problem-solving, code generation, and terminal-based workflows, and use Gemini Code Assist when you need inline suggestions and real-time assistance while actively writing code in your IDE. This dual approach gives developers the flexibility to choose the right tool for their current workflow context.