NovaKit CLI vs Gemini CLI: Comparing AI Coding Agents for the Terminal
A comprehensive comparison between NovaKit CLI and Google's Gemini CLI. Discover the strengths of each AI terminal coding agent for your workflow.
NovaKit CLI vs Gemini CLI: Comparing AI Coding Agents for the Terminal
The terminal-based AI coding assistant space has welcomed a major player: Google's Gemini CLI. With backing from one of the world's largest tech companies and access to cutting-edge Gemini models, it presents a compelling option alongside established tools like NovaKit CLI. This comprehensive comparison will help you understand how these two powerful agents stack up against each other.
Overview
NovaKit CLI
NovaKit CLI is a TypeScript-based AI coding agent built with React/Ink, offering a sophisticated terminal user interface with deep code intelligence capabilities. It emphasizes semantic code search, comprehensive LSP integration, and flexible multi-provider architecture.
Key Highlights:
- TypeScript + React/Ink architecture
- Vector-indexed semantic code search (LanceDB)
- Full LSP integration (goto definition, references, hover)
- Three operating modes (Agent/Review/Plan)
- 8+ built-in AI provider presets
- Comprehensive memory and checkpoint systems
Gemini CLI
Gemini CLI is Google's open-source AI agent that brings Gemini models directly to your terminal. Built with TypeScript and featuring deep integration with Google's ecosystem, it offers generous free-tier access and enterprise-grade security options.
Key Highlights:
- TypeScript architecture (98.2% of codebase)
- Apache 2.0 open-source license
- 88.6k GitHub stars, 420+ contributors
- Free tier: 60 req/min, 1,000 req/day with Gemini 2.5 Pro
- 1 million token context window
- Docker-based sandboxing for security
- Native Google Search grounding
Technical Architecture
| Aspect | NovaKit CLI | Gemini CLI |
|---|---|---|
| Language | TypeScript | TypeScript (98.2%) |
| UI Framework | React/Ink | Custom TUI |
| Markdown | Marked + Shiki | Glamour-based |
| Database | LanceDB (vectors), JSON | Session storage |
| Runtime | Node.js 18+ | Node.js 20+ |
| Repository | Private | Open (88.6k stars) |
| Contributors | Internal | 420+ |
| License | Proprietary | Apache 2.0 |
Analysis: Both tools share TypeScript foundations, making them accessible to JavaScript developers. Gemini CLI's open-source nature with 420+ contributors represents significant community investment, while NovaKit maintains controlled development.
AI Model Support
| Feature | NovaKit CLI | Gemini CLI |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Models | Multi-provider | Gemini family |
| Gemini 2.5 Pro | Via OpenRouter | Native (free tier) |
| Gemini 2.5 Flash | Via OpenRouter | Native |
| Gemini 3 Pro | No | Native (latest) |
| Claude Models | Yes (native) | No |
| GPT Models | Yes (native) | No |
| Context Window | Provider-dependent | 1M tokens (Gemini) |
| Free Tier | No (API keys required) | 60 req/min, 1K req/day |
| Model Switching | Yes | Yes (within Gemini family) |
Analysis: This represents a fundamental philosophical difference. Gemini CLI focuses on the Gemini ecosystem with generous free access, while NovaKit offers multi-provider flexibility. Gemini's 1 million token context window is industry-leading for the free tier.
Pricing and Access
NovaKit CLI
- Cost: Free CLI, users provide own API keys
- Providers: Pay per usage across multiple providers
- Enterprise: Self-managed API costs
Gemini CLI
| Tier | Rate Limits | Context | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal (Google Account) | 60/min, 1,000/day | 1M tokens | Free |
| Gemini API Key | 100/day (free tier) | Varies | Free/Paid |
| Vertex AI | Higher limits | Full | Enterprise pricing |
| Gemini Code Assist | Shared quota | Full | Subscription |
Analysis: Gemini CLI's free tier is remarkably generous—60 requests per minute with access to Gemini 2.5 Pro's 1M token context. For individual developers, this can eliminate API costs entirely. NovaKit requires API key expenses from day one.
Terminal User Interface
| Feature | NovaKit CLI | Gemini CLI |
|---|---|---|
| Framework | React/Ink | Custom TUI |
| Markdown Rendering | Marked + Shiki | Built-in |
| Syntax Highlighting | Shiki (VSCode themes) | Built-in |
| Vim Mode | No | Yes (vimMode setting) |
| Mode Indicators | Color-coded status bar | Standard |
| Command Palette | / key | / key |
| File Attachment | @ symbol | @ symbol |
| Alternate Screen | Yes | Yes (useAlternateBuffer) |
| Custom Themes | No | Yes (customThemes) |
| Screen Reader | No | Yes (accessibility mode) |
| Prompt Completion | No | Yes (AI-powered) |
Analysis: Gemini CLI offers more UI customization including Vim mode, custom themes, and accessibility features. NovaKit focuses on rich markdown rendering with VSCode-quality syntax highlighting via Shiki.
Operating Modes
NovaKit CLI Modes
- Agent Mode - Full tool access with write, edit, and bash execution
- Review Mode - Collects changes for batch approval before applying
- Plan Mode - Read-only exploration and planning only
Gemini CLI Modes
- Interactive Mode - Full REPL experience (
gemini) - Non-Interactive Mode - Single prompt execution (
gemini -p "prompt") - YOLO Mode - Auto-approve all tool calls (
--yolo) - Sandbox Mode - Isolated Docker execution (
--sandbox)
Approval Modes:
default- Standard confirmation promptsauto_edit- Auto-approve edits onlyyolo- Auto-approve everything
Analysis: NovaKit's Review Mode is unique for batch-approving changes. Gemini CLI's sandbox mode with Docker isolation provides superior security for untrusted operations. Both offer YOLO-style automation.
Code Intelligence
| Feature | NovaKit CLI | Gemini CLI |
|---|---|---|
| Semantic Search | Yes (LanceDB + embeddings) | No |
| Vector Indexing | Xenova/transformers | No |
| LSP - Goto Definition | Yes | No |
| LSP - Find References | Yes | No |
| LSP - Hover Info | Yes | No |
| LSP - Diagnostics | Yes | No |
| Context Files | NOVAKIT.md | GEMINI.md |
| Context Hierarchy | Project + Global | Global → Project → Subdirectory |
| File Import | No | Yes (@./path/to/file.md) |
| Ignore Patterns | .novakitignore | .geminiignore |
Analysis: NovaKit significantly outperforms in code intelligence with semantic search and full LSP integration. Gemini CLI relies on the model's reasoning capabilities. However, Gemini CLI's hierarchical context file system with import syntax is more sophisticated.
MCP (Model Context Protocol) Support
| Feature | NovaKit CLI | Gemini CLI |
|---|---|---|
| MCP Support | Yes | Yes |
| Transport: Stdio | Yes | Yes |
| Transport: SSE | No | Yes |
| Transport: HTTP | No | Yes |
| Configuration | ~/.novakit/mcp.json | settings.json mcpServers |
| In-App Management | /mcp-status, /mcp-connect | /mcp, gemini mcp add/list/remove |
| Tool Namespacing | server:tool | serverAlias__toolName |
| Include/Exclude Tools | No | Yes (whitelist/blacklist) |
| Trust Mode | No | Yes (bypass confirmations) |
| Environment Variables | Supported | Supported ($VAR_NAME syntax) |
| Timeout Configuration | No | Yes (per-server) |
Analysis: Gemini CLI offers more sophisticated MCP configuration with multiple transports, tool whitelisting/blacklisting, and per-server timeout settings. Both support environment variable injection.
Session and State Management
| Feature | NovaKit CLI | Gemini CLI |
|---|---|---|
| Session Persistence | JSON files | Built-in storage |
| Session Commands | list, resume, rename, compact, export, delete | /chat save, /chat resume, --resume |
| Checkpoints | Yes (file snapshots) | Yes (--checkpointing) |
| Undo/Redo | Ctrl+Z/Y | Via checkpoints |
| Auto-Compaction | Yes (threshold-based) | Yes (chatCompression) |
| Session Export | JSON, Markdown | No |
| Session Retention | Manual | Auto-cleanup (maxAge, maxCount) |
| Context Compression | Token threshold | /compress command |
Analysis: Both offer robust session management with checkpointing. Gemini CLI adds automatic session retention policies for cleanup. NovaKit provides more export options.
Built-in Tools
NovaKit CLI Tools
File Operations:
- read, write, edit, apply_patch, glob, list_directory
Code Analysis:
- grep, vector_search, vision (image analysis)
System:
- bash, web_search, web_fetch
Persistence:
- save_memory, read_memory
Code Intelligence:
- lsp_goto_definition, lsp_find_references, lsp_hover, lsp_diagnostics
Advanced:
- multi_tool_use.parallel
Gemini CLI Tools
File Operations:
- list_directory, glob, read_file, write_file, replace, search_file_content
System:
- run_shell_command
Web:
- google_web_search (with grounding), web_fetch
Memory:
- save_memory
Tool Management:
/tools- List available toolstools.allowed- Bypass confirmationstools.exclude- Disable specific toolsenableToolOutputTruncation- Manage large outputs
Analysis: Both offer comprehensive toolsets. NovaKit's LSP tools and vector_search are unique. Gemini CLI's Google Search grounding provides real-time web context directly from Google's index.
Slash Commands
| Command | NovaKit CLI | Gemini CLI |
|---|---|---|
| New Session | /new-session | Ctrl+N |
| Session List | /session-list | --list-sessions |
| Compact/Compress | /compact | /compress |
| Model Switch | /switch-model | -m flag |
| Tools List | /tools-list | /tools |
| MCP Status | /mcp-status | /mcp |
| Memory/Context | /memories | /memory show, /memory refresh |
| Stats/Usage | /quota | /stats |
| Help | /help | /help |
| Commit | /commit | N/A |
| Diff | /diff | N/A |
| Undo/Redo | /undo, /redo | /restore |
| Checkpoint | /checkpoint | /restore |
| Init Context | N/A | /init |
| Copy Response | N/A | /copy |
| Clear | N/A | /clear |
| Theme | N/A | /theme |
| Vim Toggle | N/A | /vim |
| Settings | /config-global | /settings |
| IDE Integration | N/A | /ide install |
Analysis: Both provide extensive slash commands. NovaKit includes git-focused commands (/commit, /diff). Gemini CLI offers more configuration commands (/theme, /vim, /settings) and IDE integration.
Configuration and Customization
| Feature | NovaKit CLI | Gemini CLI |
|---|---|---|
| Config Format | JSON | JSON |
| Global Config | ~/.novakit/config.json | ~/.gemini/settings.json |
| Project Config | .novakit/config.json | .gemini/settings.json |
| System Config | No | /etc/gemini-cli/settings.json |
| Custom Commands | ~/.novakit/commands.json | ~/.gemini/commands/ (TOML) |
| Custom Agents | ~/.novakit/agents.json | No |
| Extensions | No | .gemini/extensions/ |
| Hooks | No | Yes (BeforeTool, AfterTool, etc.) |
| Context Files | NOVAKIT.md | GEMINI.md (with imports) |
| Ignore File | .novakitignore | .geminiignore |
| Config Precedence | Project > Global | System > Project > User > Defaults |
Analysis: Gemini CLI offers more sophisticated configuration with system-level settings, hooks for lifecycle events, and an extensions system. NovaKit's custom agents feature is unique.
Security Features
| Feature | NovaKit CLI | Gemini CLI |
|---|---|---|
| Sandboxing | No | Yes (Docker/Podman) |
| Custom Sandbox | No | Yes (.gemini/sandbox.Dockerfile) |
| Tool Confirmation | Yes | Yes (configurable) |
| YOLO Mode | --no-confirm | --yolo |
| Folder Trust | No | Yes (security.folderTrust) |
| Env Var Redaction | No | Yes (configurable) |
| Auth Enforcement | No | Yes (enforcedType) |
| Tool Whitelisting | disabledTools | tools.allowed |
| Tool Blacklisting | disabledTools | tools.exclude |
Analysis: Gemini CLI's security model is significantly more comprehensive with Docker sandboxing, folder trust, environment variable redaction, and authentication enforcement. This reflects enterprise-grade security requirements.
Platform Support
| Platform | NovaKit CLI | Gemini CLI |
|---|---|---|
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Via npm | Yes |
| Cloud Shell | No | Yes (pre-installed) |
| VS Code Integration | JSON-RPC server | Agent mode (/ide) |
| Zed Integration | No | Yes (native) |
Analysis: Gemini CLI offers tighter IDE integration with native VS Code agent mode and Zed support. Google Cloud Shell comes with Gemini CLI pre-installed.
Installation Methods
| Method | NovaKit CLI | Gemini CLI |
|---|---|---|
| npm | Yes (@novakit/cli) | Yes (@google/gemini-cli) |
| npx (no install) | Yes | Yes |
| Homebrew | Yes (tap) | Yes (direct) |
| Binary Download | Yes | Yes |
| Release Channels | Stable | Stable, Preview, Nightly |
Release Schedule (Gemini CLI):
- Nightly: Daily at 00:00 UTC
- Preview: Weekly (Tuesdays, 23:59 UTC)
- Stable: Weekly (Tuesdays, 20:00 UTC)
Analysis: Gemini CLI's multiple release channels allow developers to choose stability vs. bleeding-edge features.
GitHub Integration
| Feature | NovaKit CLI | Gemini CLI |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub Action | No | Yes (gemini-cli-action) |
| PR Reviews | No | Automated |
| Issue Triage | No | Automated labeling |
| @mentions | No | @gemini-cli responses |
| Repository Agent | No | Yes |
Analysis: Gemini CLI's GitHub Action enables autonomous repository management—a significant advantage for teams automating code review and issue handling.
Telemetry and Privacy
| Aspect | NovaKit CLI | Gemini CLI |
|---|---|---|
| Telemetry | Minimal | Configurable |
| Opt-Out | Available | Multiple methods |
| Local Telemetry | No | Yes (outfile option) |
| OTLP Export | No | Yes (gRPC/HTTP) |
| Prompt Logging | No | Optional (logPrompts) |
| Data Storage | Local only | User-controlled |
Analysis: Gemini CLI provides extensive telemetry configuration including local logging and OTLP export for enterprise observability. Both respect user privacy preferences.
Unique Features
NovaKit CLI Exclusive
- Semantic Code Search - LanceDB-powered vector search finds contextually relevant code
- Full LSP Integration - Goto definition, find references, hover, diagnostics as tools
- Review Mode - Batch file changes for approval before applying
- Custom Agents - Define specialized AI personas with custom instructions
- Persistent Memory - Save and recall memories across sessions
- Snippets System - Store and reuse code snippets
- Multi-Provider Support - Use Claude, GPT, Gemini via unified interface
- GitHub Copilot OAuth - Native OAuth device flow authentication
Gemini CLI Exclusive
- Free Tier Access - 60 req/min, 1K req/day with Gemini 2.5 Pro
- 1M Token Context - Industry-leading context window on free tier
- Docker Sandboxing - Isolated execution environment
- Google Search Grounding - Real-time web context from Google's index
- GitHub Actions - Automated PR reviews and issue triage
- Vim Mode - Native Vim keybindings
- Hooks System - Lifecycle event handlers
- Extensions System - Plugin architecture
- IDE Agent Mode - Native VS Code and Zed integration
- Hierarchical Context - GEMINI.md with import syntax
- Prompt Completion - AI-powered suggestions while typing
- Custom Themes - Full UI customization
- Accessibility - Screen reader support
Use Case Recommendations
Choose NovaKit CLI If You:
- Need semantic code search for large, complex codebases
- Want full LSP integration (goto definition, find references)
- Require Review Mode for careful, batch-approved changes
- Use multiple AI providers (Claude, GPT, Gemini)
- Need custom agent personalities for different tasks
- Want persistent memory across coding sessions
- Use GitHub Copilot and want OAuth integration
- Prefer checkpoint-based file state management
Choose Gemini CLI If You:
- Want generous free-tier access (1K requests/day)
- Need the largest context window (1M tokens)
- Require Docker-based sandboxing for security
- Want automated GitHub PR reviews and issue handling
- Need Google Search grounding for real-time information
- Prefer Vim keybindings in terminal
- Want IDE integration (VS Code agent mode, Zed)
- Need enterprise security features (auth enforcement, env redaction)
- Value open-source with Apache 2.0 license
- Want hooks and extensions for customization
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Category | Winner | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Code Intelligence | NovaKit | Semantic search + full LSP |
| Free Access | Gemini | 1K free requests/day |
| Context Window | Gemini | 1M tokens on free tier |
| Provider Flexibility | NovaKit | Multi-provider support |
| Security | Gemini | Docker sandboxing, folder trust |
| GitHub Integration | Gemini | Actions, PR reviews |
| UI Customization | Gemini | Themes, Vim mode, accessibility |
| Session Management | Tie | Both offer checkpoints |
| MCP Flexibility | Gemini | Multi-transport, tool filtering |
| Open Source | Gemini | Apache 2.0, 420+ contributors |
| Customization | Gemini | Hooks, extensions system |
| IDE Integration | Gemini | Native VS Code, Zed |
Migration Considerations
From Gemini CLI to NovaKit
- Export important session contexts
- Convert settings.json to novakit config format
- Set up equivalent provider credentials
- Build vector index for semantic search
- Note: No equivalent for Vim mode, themes, sandboxing
- Note: Google Search grounding unavailable
From NovaKit to Gemini CLI
- Export sessions to Markdown format
- Convert novakit config to settings.json
- Create GEMINI.md from NOVAKIT.md content
- Set up Google account or API key authentication
- Note: Custom agents need recreation as extensions
- Note: Semantic search unavailable
- Note: Full LSP features unavailable
Conclusion
NovaKit CLI and Gemini CLI represent two distinct approaches to terminal-based AI coding assistance:
NovaKit CLI excels in code intelligence, offering semantic search and full LSP integration that make it exceptionally powerful for navigating and understanding complex codebases. Its multi-provider architecture provides flexibility to use the best model for each task, and unique features like Review Mode add safety layers for critical changes.
Gemini CLI excels in accessibility and enterprise features. The generous free tier (1,000 requests/day with 1M token context) removes cost barriers for individual developers. Docker sandboxing, comprehensive security settings, and GitHub Actions integration make it attractive for teams and enterprises. The open-source Apache 2.0 license ensures transparency and community contribution.
For developers prioritizing code understanding and multi-provider flexibility, NovaKit CLI's semantic search and LSP integration provide clear advantages. For those seeking cost-effective access to powerful models with enterprise-grade security, Gemini CLI's free tier and sandboxing capabilities offer compelling value.
Both tools continue rapid development. The choice ultimately depends on whether you prioritize deep code intelligence (NovaKit) or generous free access with enterprise security (Gemini CLI).
Experience the power of semantic code search and intelligent context. Get started with NovaKit CLI today and elevate your terminal development workflow.