Google is pushing its AI-powered coding assistant, Jules, further into the daily routines of developers by launching a new command-line interface (CLI) and public API. These additions allow Jules to integrate directly into terminals, CI/CD pipelines, and platforms like Slack — deepening its presence in software development as competition in the AI coding space continues to heat up.
Previously, developers could only access Jules through its website or GitHub. With the new Jules Tools CLI, they can now interact with the assistant directly from their command line, removing the need to constantly switch between platforms. This makes it easier to assign coding tasks, review output, and validate code changes all within one environment.
“Our goal is to minimize context switching for developers,” explained Kathy Korevec, Google Labs’ product director. She noted that the integration aims to help engineers stay focused and streamline development workflows.
Both Jules and Google’s Gemini CLI rely on the same Gemini 2.5 Pro model. However, while Gemini CLI supports more interactive and collaborative use, Jules Tools is designed for specific, contained coding tasks that can be executed autonomously once approved.
Google has also opened Jules’ API to the public, enabling developers to embed the assistant into their existing tools and environments. This flexibility means teams can integrate Jules into their preferred IDEs, such as VS Code, or even build custom extensions around it. Korevec also hinted that Google plans to release dedicated IDE plug-ins soon to make these integrations even smoother.
Recent updates have introduced new capabilities for Jules, including memory functions that allow it to remember user preferences and previous interactions. Other enhancements include a redesigned diff viewer, image upload support, and the ability to respond to comments within pull requests — all aimed at improving workflow efficiency.
Google is also exploring ways to make Jules less dependent on GitHub. Currently, the assistant operates within GitHub repositories, but developers have requested broader compatibility with other version control systems or even projects that don’t use one at all.
Jules is designed with built-in safeguards. If it encounters a problem it can’t solve, it pauses and asks the user for guidance rather than proceeding blindly.
Since its public preview in May and full release in August, Jules has gained steady traction. The AI assistant is available through tiered pricing — including a free plan with limited daily tasks and paid options starting at $19.99 per month for heavier users.
