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

# Gemini 3 Pro on Gemini CLI

We’re excited to bring Gemini 3 Pro to Gemini CLI. Gemini 3 Pro is **currently
available** on Gemini CLI to all of the following subscribers:

- Google AI Ultra (except Google AI Ultra for Business).
- Google AI Pro.
- Gemini Code Assist Standard (requires
  [administrative enablement](#administrator-instructions)).
- Gemini Code Assist Enterprise (requires
  [administrative enablement](#administrator-instructions)).
- Paid Gemini API key holders.
- Paid Vertex API key holders.

For **everyone else**, we're gradually expanding access
[through a waitlist](https://goo.gle/geminicli-waitlist-signup). If you don't
have one of the listed subscriptions, sign up for the waitlist to access Gemini
3 Pro once approved.

**Note:** Whether you’re automatically granted access or accepted from the
waitlist, you’ll still need to enable Gemini 3 Pro
[using the `/settings` command](../cli/settings.md).

## How to join the waitlist

Users not automatically granted access will need to join the waitlist. Follow
these instructions to sign up:

- Install Gemini CLI.
- Authenticate using the **Login with Google** option. You’ll see a banner that
  says “Gemini 3 is now available.” If you do not see this banner, update your
  installation of Gemini CLI to the most recent version.
- Fill out this Google form:
  [Access Gemini 3 in Gemini CLI](https://goo.gle/geminicli-waitlist-signup).
  Provide the email address of the account you used to authenticate with Gemini
  CLI.

Users will be onboarded in batches, subject to availability. When you’ve been
granted access to Gemini 3 Pro, you’ll receive an acceptance email to your
submitted email address.

**Note:** Please wait until you have been approved to use Gemini 3 Pro to enable
**Preview Features**. If enabled early, the CLI will fallback to Gemini 2.5 Pro.

## How to use Gemini 3 Pro with Gemini CLI

Once you receive your acceptance email–or if you are automatically granted
access–you still need to enable Gemini 3 Pro within Gemini CLI.

To enable Gemini 3 Pro, use the `/settings` command in Gemini CLI and set
**Preview Features** to `true`.

For more information, see [Gemini CLI Settings](../cli/settings.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 Pro 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 Pro.

## 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).