Google has expanded the integration capabilities of its AI coding agent, Jules, by introducing a new command-line interface (CLI) and a public API. This development aims to embed Jules directly into diverse developer environments, including terminals, CI/CD systems, and collaboration platforms, intensifying competition in the market for AI-assisted software development tools.
Previously, Jules, Google’s asynchronous coding agent, was accessible only via its dedicated website and GitHub. The new Jules Tools CLI allows developers to interact with the agent directly within their terminal, aiming to streamline workflows and reduce the need for context switching. Kathy Korevec, director of product at Google Labs, stated in an interview, "We want to reduce context switching for developers as much as possible." This integration enables developers to remain within their primary coding environment while delegating tasks and validating results.
In addition to the CLI, Google has made Jules’ API publicly available. This API, previously used for internal development, is designed to help developers integrate Jules more deeply into their existing workflows and Integrated Development Environments (IDEs), such as VS Code. Korevec noted that the team is also focused on developing specific plugins for IDEs to further expand Jules’ presence within developer toolchains.
Jules operates on Google’s Gemini 2.5 Pro AI model, a technology also utilized by Google’s Gemini CLI. However, Google distinguishes Jules Tools as designed for "very scoped tasks," in contrast to Gemini CLI, which requires users to be "a lot more iterative" and collaborative. Denise Kwan, Google’s senior developer advocate, further clarified that Jules is less interactive by design, executing tasks independently once a user approves its proposed plan.
Recent enhancements to Jules include a "memory" feature, enabling the agent to retain interaction history and user preferences. Other updates encompass a stacked layout for its diff viewer, image upload capabilities, and the ability to read and respond to comments on pull requests. Google is also exploring reducing Jules’ reliance on GitHub, investigating broader integration with other version control systems and environments where specific code hosting may not be a requirement. The agent is designed to notify users if it encounters an issue, prompting human intervention, although native mobile notifications are still under development.
Jules, which exited its beta phase in August after a public preview launch in May, is now available under structured pricing tiers. A free plan supports up to 15 daily tasks, while Google AI Pro and Ultra plans offer higher limits at $19.99 and $124.99 per month, respectively. The tool is primarily utilized by software engineers and professionals, often to extend projects initiated on other coding platforms.
