Installing Gemini Code Assist

Setup
Set up the Gemini Code Assist extension in VS Code for AI-powered coding assistance.
Published

January 1, 2026

Installing Gemini Code Assist

Creating with AI in the Loop — VS Code extension setup

Gemini Code Assist is an AI coding assistant from Google that integrates directly into VS Code. It provides code completions, chat-based help, and code generation.

What you need

  • VS Code installed
  • A personal Google account (not your .edu account)

Step-by-step: Install and sign in

  1. Open VS Code.

  2. Go to the Extensions view (Ctrl+Shift+X on Windows, Cmd+Shift+X on macOS).

  3. Search for Gemini Code Assist. Look for the one by Google with a verified badge.

  4. Click Install. Restart VS Code if prompted.

  5. Click the Gemini icon in the left sidebar (a pinched diamond shape).

  6. Click Login to Google and sign in with your personal Google account (not your .edu account).

  7. If prompted to open an external website, click Open.

  8. Review and accept the privacy notice that appears in the chat panel.

Verify it’s working

After signing in, you should see the Gemini chat panel. Try typing a question like “How do I read a file in Python?” to confirm it’s working.

Free tier

  • Gemini Code Assist can be used for free with a free tier Google Account
  • If you hit usage limits, you may need to wait until the next day for limits to reset
  • There is also a paid tier with higher limits if needed

Troubleshooting

Can’t sign in / authentication errors

  • Make sure you’re using a personal Google account, not your .edu account
  • Try signing out and back in
  • Try a different browser for the authentication flow

Extension not appearing in sidebar

  • Restart VS Code after installation
  • Check that the extension is enabled in the Extensions view

“Usage limit exceeded”

  • Wait until the next day for limits to reset

Resources

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