Google is taking its AI coding agent Jules to the next level, embedding it deeper into developer workflows with the launch of a command-line interface (CLI) and a public API. This move positions Jules as a stronger player in the rapidly intensifying AI coding race, where tech giants are competing to redefine the future of software development.
From Website to Terminal: Jules Tools CLI
Until now, Jules was only accessible through its website and GitHub integration. With the introduction of Jules Tools, developers can now interact with Jules directly from their terminals.
The new CLI reduces context switching by allowing developers to stay within their environment while delegating coding tasks, validating results, and streamlining workflows.
“We want to reduce context switching for developers as much as possible,” said Kathy Korevec, Director of Product at Google Labs, in an interview.
Jules vs. Gemini CLI
Google already offers Gemini CLI, another AI-powered terminal tool built on the Gemini 2.5 Pro model — the same engine behind Jules. However, the difference lies in their design:
- Jules is built for scoped, task-based execution with minimal back-and-forth.
- Gemini CLI is more interactive and iterative, requiring users to collaborate more closely with the tool.
Google’s Denise Kwan explained that Jules was intentionally designed to be less conversational, executing tasks independently once a plan is approved.
Public API and IDE Integrations
Alongside the CLI, Google has opened Jules’ public API — previously limited to internal use. Developers can now integrate Jules into their preferred workflows, from CI/CD pipelines to Slack and other collaboration tools.
The API also enables custom IDE integrations, with Google hinting at dedicated plug-ins for VS Code and other editors to further expand Jules’ reach.
New Features and Expanding Scope
Google has been steadily improving Jules with features like:
- Memory for saving user preferences and corrections.
- Improved diff viewer layouts.
- Image upload support.
- Pull request comment handling.
Currently, Jules is tied closely to GitHub repositories, but Google is exploring support for other code hosting providers and even scenarios where developers don’t use version control systems at all.
Balancing Oversight and Automation
Oversight of AI coding agents remains a challenge. Jules is designed to notify users when it encounters issues it can’t solve independently, prompting them to step in.
However, mobile usage introduces limitations since native notifications aren’t supported yet. Google acknowledged this gap and confirmed work is underway to improve Jules’ mobile experience.
Who’s Using Jules?
So far, Jules has primarily been adopted by professional software engineers, but it is also gaining traction among users experimenting with projects from more casual coding platforms. Developers often use Jules to extend projects that hit limitations in lightweight “vibe coding” tools.
Pricing and Availability
Jules launched in public preview in May 2025, exited beta in August, and is now offered under structured pricing tiers:
- Free Plan – 15 daily tasks, 3 concurrent tasks.
- Pro Plan ($19.99/month) – ~5x higher limits.
- Ultra Plan ($124.99/month) – ~20x higher limits.
With these updates, Jules is becoming a serious competitor in the AI coding ecosystem, aiming to streamline developer workflows and reduce friction in the software development process.
SOURCES ( TECHCRUNCH )
