Claude Code vs GitHub Copilot CLI vs Gemini CLI: AI Terminal Tools Compared (2026)

AI-powered terminal tools have become essential for developers in 2026. Instead of switching between your editor, browser, and documentation, you can now describe what you want in plain English and watch an AI agent write code, run commands, and manage your entire project from the terminal.

Three tools dominate this space: Claude Code from Anthropic, GitHub Copilot CLI from GitHub, and Gemini CLI from Google. Each takes a different approach to solving the same problem.

In this comparison, we break down how each tool works, what it costs, and where it excels so you can pick the right one for your workflow.

Quick Comparison Table

Feature	Claude Code	GitHub Copilot CLI	Gemini CLI
Developer	Anthropic	GitHub (Microsoft)	Google
Install	npm i -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code	npm i -g @github/copilot	npm i -g @google/gemini-cli
Default Model	Claude Opus 4.6	Claude Sonnet 4.5	Gemini 2.5 Pro
Context Window	200K tokens	Varies by model	1M tokens
Free Tier	No	No	Yes (1,000 requests/day)
Starting Price	$20/month (Pro)	$10/month (Pro)	Free
Open Source	No	No	Yes (Apache 2.0)
MCP Support	Yes	Yes	Yes
Multi-Agent	Yes (Agent Teams)	No (planned)	No
Node.js Required	18+	22+	18+

Installation and Setup

Getting started with any of these tools takes just a few minutes. All three install via npm and require Node.js.

Claude Code

npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

Requires Node.js 18+. After installing, run claude in any project directory. You authenticate with your Anthropic account (Pro, Max, or API key). Claude Code reads a CLAUDE.md file in your project root for persistent instructions like coding standards, architecture decisions, and project-specific context.

GitHub Copilot CLI

npm install -g @github/copilot

Requires Node.js 22+. Run copilot to start a session. You authenticate through GitHub OAuth or a personal access token with the "Copilot Requests" permission. Requires an active Copilot subscription (Pro or above). The free Copilot tier does not include CLI access.

Gemini CLI

npm install -g @google/gemini-cli

Requires Node.js 18+ (20+ recommended). Run gemini to start. You authenticate with your Google account, which automatically grants a free Gemini Code Assist license. Uses GEMINI.md files for project context, similar to Claude Code's CLAUDE.md. You can also run it without installing via npx @google/gemini-cli.

Setup verdict: All three tools have straightforward npm installations. Gemini CLI wins on accessibility since it works with any Google account and requires no paid subscription. Claude Code and Copilot CLI both require paid plans to get started.

Core Capabilities

All three tools operate as agentic coding assistants. You describe a task in natural language, and the agent plans a series of actions, asks for your approval, and executes them. Here is how each tool handles core developer tasks.

Code Generation and Editing

Claude Code excels at multi-file editing. It can refactor entire modules, update imports across files, and handle complex architectural changes in a single session. With extended thinking enabled by default, it reasons through problems before writing code. Claude Code also supports subagents that run up to 7 parallel operations for faster exploration of large codebases.

GitHub Copilot CLI brings agentic multi-step execution to the terminal. It can plan and carry out file modifications, debugging sessions, and refactoring tasks. Since it defaults to Claude Sonnet 4.5 as its model, you get strong code generation quality. You can switch models mid-session using the /model slash command to access GPT-5 or Claude Opus 4.6 Fast.

Gemini CLI generates code, refactors, debugs, and scaffolds tests through natural language. Its 1 million token context window means it can process significantly larger codebases without chunking. Google's auto-routing sends simple prompts to Gemini Flash (faster, cheaper) and complex prompts to Gemini Pro (more capable), optimizing for speed and quality automatically.

Terminal and Shell Integration

Claude Code has full terminal access. It runs builds, executes tests, manages git workflows, and handles any CLI operation. Headless mode (claude -p "query") enables non-interactive usage in CI/CD pipelines, pre-commit hooks, and automation scripts. The hooks system supports 14 events across the session lifecycle for deep workflow integration.

GitHub Copilot CLI runs commands and scripts with human approval at each step. It includes built-in GitHub integration for working with repositories, issues, and pull requests directly from the terminal. The safety model previews every action before execution.

Gemini CLI offers a unique feature: pseudo-terminal (PTY) support. You can run interactive commands like vim, top, or git rebase -i directly within a Gemini CLI session. It also has Google Search grounding built in, letting the agent look up current documentation or solutions during a task.

Codebase Awareness

Claude Code does not load your entire codebase into context at once. Instead, it intelligently reads relevant files based on the current task, using agentic search to understand project structure and dependencies. With a 200K token context window, it manages context efficiently by launching specialized search subagents when exploring large codebases.

GitHub Copilot CLI uses a similar approach, reading files as needed during a session. It supports context compaction for long sessions, creating checkpoints so you can work on complex tasks without losing context. LSP (Language Server Protocol) integration provides additional code intelligence.

Gemini CLI starts each session by creating a snapshot of your project's directory structure. With a 1 million token context window, it can hold significantly more of your codebase in memory at once. This is a clear advantage for large monorepos or projects with many interconnected files where understanding the full picture matters.

Extensibility and Integrations

All three tools support the Model Context Protocol (MCP), an open standard for connecting AI tools to external services like databases, APIs, and development platforms.

Claude Code has the most mature MCP ecosystem with over 300 integrations, including GitHub, Slack, PostgreSQL, and custom internal systems. Its Agent Teams feature (research preview) lets you spin up multiple Claude Code instances that coordinate autonomously, with one acting as a team lead delegating tasks to teammates.

GitHub Copilot CLI includes GitHub MCP by default, giving it native access to your repositories, issues, and pull requests. It also supports an extensions and skills marketplace for third-party integrations. Its deep GitHub integration is its strongest differentiator since working with PRs and issues is seamless.

Gemini CLI offers a rich first-party extension ecosystem. Google provides extensions for Chrome DevTools, Firebase, Flutter, Cloud Run, BigQuery, and Google Workspace (Docs, Calendar, Drive). Third-party extensions include Figma, Stripe, Shopify, Snyk, and more. Being open source (Apache 2.0), you can also inspect and customize the tool itself.

Pricing Breakdown

Cost is often the deciding factor. Here is what each tool costs for individual developers.

Claude Code Pricing

Plan	Price	What You Get
Pro	$20/month	~10-40 prompts per 5-hour window (shared with Claude web)
Max 5x	$100/month	5x Pro usage, background tasks
Max 20x	$200/month	20x Pro usage, effectively unlimited for individuals
API	Pay-per-use	Sonnet: ~$3/$15 per million input/output tokens

Usage limits are shared between Claude.ai and Claude Code. If you use Claude heavily in the browser, you will have less capacity for Claude Code.

GitHub Copilot CLI Pricing

Plan	Price	What You Get
Pro	$10/month	300 premium requests/month
Pro+	$39/month	1,500 premium requests, access to all models
Business	$19/user/month	Team management features
Enterprise	$39/user/month	1,000 premium requests, enterprise controls

Each CLI interaction counts as a premium request. Overages cost $0.04 per request. Students and qualifying open-source maintainers get free Pro access.

Gemini CLI Pricing

Plan	Price	What You Get
Free	$0	60 requests/minute, 1,000 requests/day with Gemini 2.5 Pro
AI Pro/Ultra	Varies	Higher limits
API Key	Pay-per-use	Usage-based billing through Google AI Studio or Vertex AI

Gemini CLI's free tier is genuinely generous. You get access to Gemini 2.5 Pro with a 1 million token context window at no cost. The catch: every tool call (file reads, searches, command executions) counts as a separate request, so complex tasks can consume quota faster than you might expect.

Pricing verdict: Gemini CLI is the clear winner on price. Its free tier covers most individual developer needs. Copilot CLI offers the lowest paid entry point at $10/month. Claude Code is the most expensive but gives you access to the most capable reasoning model (Opus 4.6).

Strengths and Weaknesses

Claude Code

Strengths:

• Most capable reasoning model (Opus 4.6) for complex multi-step tasks
• Agent Teams for parallel autonomous work
• Mature MCP ecosystem with 300+ integrations
• Deep git workflow integration
• Headless mode for CI/CD automation
• CLAUDE.md for persistent project context

Weaknesses:

• Most expensive option (minimum $20/month)
• Usage shared between web and CLI
• Smaller context window (200K tokens)
• Not open source

GitHub Copilot CLI

Strengths:

• Native GitHub integration (PRs, issues, repos)
• Model flexibility (switch between Claude, GPT-5 mid-session)
• Familiar if you already use GitHub Copilot in your IDE
• Lower entry price ($10/month)
• Student and open-source maintainer discounts

Weaknesses:

• Still in public preview (subject to change)
• No subagent support yet
• Requires Node.js 22+
• Windows requires WSL
• No free tier for CLI access
• Premium requests can be consumed quickly

Gemini CLI

Strengths:

• Completely free tier with powerful models
• Largest context window (1M tokens)
• Open source (Apache 2.0)
• Interactive terminal (PTY) support
• Rich Google ecosystem extensions
• Built-in Google Search grounding
• Auto-routing between Flash and Pro models

Weaknesses:

• Less consistent code quality compared to Claude Code
• More likely to produce subtle logic errors on complex tasks
• Tool calls consume quota individually (can burn through free tier faster than expected)
• Weaker multi-step reasoning

Which Tool Should You Use?

The best choice depends on your priorities and workflow.

Choose Claude Code if you work on complex, large-scale projects that require deep reasoning. If you need an AI that can autonomously plan and execute multi-step refactoring across dozens of files, coordinate multiple agents in parallel, or integrate into CI/CD pipelines, Claude Code is the most capable option. It is worth the premium price if code quality and reasoning depth are your top priorities.

Choose GitHub Copilot CLI if you are already embedded in the GitHub ecosystem. If your workflow revolves around pull requests, issues, and code reviews on GitHub, Copilot CLI provides the most seamless integration. The ability to switch between models mid-session adds flexibility, and the lower starting price makes it accessible. It is a natural companion to Copilot in your IDE.

Choose Gemini CLI if you want a powerful terminal AI without spending anything. The free tier with Gemini 2.5 Pro and a 1 million token context window is hard to beat. It is also the best choice for Google Cloud users, Firebase developers, or anyone who values open-source tooling. If you are working on a large monorepo and need maximum context, the 1M token window gives Gemini CLI a unique advantage.

The Bottom Line

All three tools are capable of handling everyday developer tasks like writing code, debugging, running tests, and managing git workflows. The differences emerge in edge cases and specific use cases.

For raw reasoning power and autonomous multi-agent coordination, Claude Code leads. For GitHub-native workflows with model flexibility, Copilot CLI is compelling. For free access, open source transparency, and large context windows, Gemini CLI delivers remarkable value.

The good news is that these tools are not mutually exclusive. Many developers use two or even all three depending on the task at hand. Try each one on a real project and see which fits your workflow best.

FAQ

Can I use more than one of these tools?

Yes. They are independent CLI tools and do not conflict with each other. Many developers use Claude Code for complex refactoring, Copilot CLI for GitHub workflow tasks, and Gemini CLI for quick explorations on the free tier.

Do these tools replace IDE-based AI assistants?

No. Terminal AI tools complement IDE assistants like GitHub Copilot (inline completions) or Cursor. Use IDE tools for real-time code completion as you type, and terminal tools for broader tasks like debugging, refactoring, and project management.

Which tool has the best code quality?

Claude Code with Opus 4.6 currently produces the most reliable code for complex reasoning tasks. Copilot CLI benefits from access to multiple models. Gemini CLI is fast and capable but occasionally produces less consistent output on complex problems.

Is the Gemini CLI free tier really free?

Yes. You get 1,000 requests per day with Gemini 2.5 Pro using any Google account. However, keep in mind that each tool call (file read, search, command execution) counts as a separate request, so a single complex task might use 20-50 requests.

What happened to the old gh copilot extension?

The original gh copilot extension was deprecated on October 25, 2025. It only offered command suggestions and explanations. The new GitHub Copilot CLI (@github/copilot) is a full agentic terminal assistant and is its replacement.