Google opens Gemini CLI to third-party extensions: Figma, Stripe, and more already integrated
On Wednesday, Google officially launched a new feature for its command-line AI system, Gemini CLI, allowing third-party companies to integrate directly.
This feature, called Gemini CLI Extensions, introduces an open ecosystem where any developer or company can create and publish their own extension. The first available integrations include Figma, Stripe, as well as other partners.
An open ecosystem with no prior validation required from Google
Unlike ChatGPT Apps, recently introduced by OpenAI with carefully selected integrations, Gemini CLI extensions can be published freely and without approval from Google.
The extensions are hosted on GitHub and must be installed manually by developers. “This open ecosystem is essential for us,” explains Taylor Mullen, lead engineer on the project, in an interview with TechCrunch. “Everything we do is based on a fair approach that everyone can participate in.”
The first available extension is from Nanobanana, Google’s internal image generation tool. Released on GitHub last week, it allows users to create images directly from the Gemini CLI terminal—a step closer to a truly multimodal development interface.
Gemini CLI already attracts over a million users
Since its launch in June 2025, Gemini CLI has quickly gained popularity among the developer community, reaching over a million users according to Google. Its usage is particularly strong within software engineering teams, including within Google itself, where the tool is utilized for developing and maintaining its own products.
In another interview with TechCrunch, Ryan J. Salva, senior product management director for developer tools at Google, clarifies the vision behind this innovation: “Our goal is to transform Gemini CLI into an extensibility platform, a bridge to other tools and workflows in the development chain.”
A direct competitor to ChatGPT Apps
This launch comes just two days after the announcement of ChatGPT Apps by OpenAI, marking a new milestone in the growing rivalry between the two AI giants.
However, while OpenAI favors selection and control, Google focuses on openness and community collaboration—an approach more aligned with the open-source philosophy.
