gemini-cli/docs/get-started/gemini-3.md

# Gemini 3 Pro and Gemini 3 Flash on Gemini CLI

Gemini 3 Pro and Gemini 3 Flash are now available on Gemini CLI! Currently, most
paid customers of Gemini CLI will have access to both Gemini 3 Pro and Gemini 3
Flash, including the following subscribers:

- Google AI Pro and Google AI Ultra (excluding business customers).
- Gemini Code Assist Standard and Enterprise (requires
  [administrative enablement](#administrator-instructions)).
- Paid Gemini API and Vertex API key holders.

For free tier users:

- If you signed up for the waitlist, please check your email for details. We’ve
  onboarded everyone who signed up to the previously available waitlist.
- If you were not on our waitlist, we’re rolling out additional access gradually
  to ensure the experience remains fast and reliable. Stay tuned for more
  details.

## How to get started with Gemini 3 on Gemini CLI

Get started by upgrading Gemini CLI to the latest version (0.21.1):

```bash
npm install -g @google/gemini-cli@latest
```

After you’ve confirmed your version is 0.21.1 or later:

1. Use the `/settings` command in Gemini CLI.
2. Toggle **Preview Features** to `true`.
3. Run `/model` and select **Auto (Gemini 3)**.

For more information, see [Gemini CLI model selection](../cli/model.md).

### Usage limits and fallback

Gemini CLI will tell you when you reach your Gemini 3 Pro daily usage limit.
When you encounter that limit, you’ll be given the option to switch to Gemini
2.5 Pro, upgrade for higher limits, or stop. You’ll also be told when your usage
limit resets and Gemini 3 Pro can be used again.

Similarly, when you reach your daily usage limit for Gemini 2.5 Pro, you’ll see
a message prompting fallback to Gemini 2.5 Flash.

### Capacity errors

There may be times when the Gemini 3 Pro model is overloaded. When that happens,
Gemini CLI will ask you to decide whether you want to keep trying Gemini 3 Pro
or fallback to Gemini 2.5 Pro.

> **Note:** The **Keep trying** option uses exponential backoff, in which Gemini
> CLI waits longer between each retry, when the system is busy. If the retry
> doesn't happen immediately, please wait a few minutes for the request to
> process.

### Model selection and routing types

When using Gemini CLI, you may want to control how your requests are routed
between models. By default, Gemini CLI uses **Auto** routing.

When using Gemini 3 Pro, you may want to use Auto routing or Pro routing to
manage your usage limits:

- **Auto routing:** Auto routing first determines whether a prompt involves a
  complex or simple operation. For simple prompts, it will automatically use
  Gemini 2.5 Flash. For complex prompts, if Gemini 3 Pro is enabled, it will use
  Gemini 3 Pro; otherwise, it will use Gemini 2.5 Pro.
- **Pro routing:** If you want to ensure your task is processed by the most
  capable model, use `/model` and select **Pro**. Gemini CLI will prioritize the
  most capable model available, including Gemini 3 Pro if it has been enabled.

To learn more about selecting a model and routing, refer to
[Gemini CLI Model Selection](../cli/model.md).

## How to enable Gemini 3 with Gemini CLI on Gemini Code Assist

If you're using Gemini Code Assist Standard or Gemini Code Assist Enterprise,
enabling Gemini 3 Pro on Gemini CLI requires configuring your release channels.
Using Gemini 3 Pro will require two steps: administrative enablement and user
enablement.

To learn more about these settings, refer to
[Configure Gemini Code Assist release channels](https://developers.google.com/gemini-code-assist/docs/configure-release-channels).

### Administrator instructions

An administrator with **Google Cloud Settings Admin** permissions must follow
these directions:

- Navigate to the Google Cloud Project you're using with Gemini CLI for Code
  Assist.
- Go to **Admin for Gemini** > **Settings**.
- Under **Release channels for Gemini Code Assist in local IDEs** select
  **Preview**.
- Click **Save changes**.

### User instructions

Wait for two to three minutes after your administrator has enabled **Preview**,
then:

- Open Gemini CLI.
- Use the `/settings` command.
- Set **Preview Features** to `true`.

Restart Gemini CLI and you should have access to Gemini 3.

## Need help?

If you need help, we recommend searching for an existing
[GitHub issue](https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/issues). If you
cannot find a GitHub issue that matches your concern, you can
[create a new issue](https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/issues/new/choose).
For comments and feedback, consider opening a
[GitHub discussion](https://github.com/google-gemini/gemini-cli/discussions).