Gemini CLI vs OpenAI Codex CLI — Feature Comparison
Quick answer: Gemini CLI supports 17 of 18 tracked features; OpenAI Codex CLI supports 16 of 18. Matrix last updated October 11, 2026.
Gemini CLI (by Google) vs OpenAI Codex CLI (by OpenAI): a side-by-side comparison of tracked features, release cadence, and the latest releases of each tool. Data as of October 16, 2026, refreshed daily.
Verdict: Gemini CLI vs Codex CLI
Gemini CLI is the stronger all-around choice for most developers today, but OpenAI Codex CLI is the right pick for teams that value rapid iteration and are comfortable trading a couple of features for a faster-moving release cadence. Gemini CLI covers the full tracked feature set — including Multi-file Editing and JetBrains IDE integration — giving it a meaningful edge for developers who work across multiple files simultaneously or who spend significant time inside JetBrains IDEs like IntelliJ or PyCharm. Its 317 tracked releases reflect a long, maturing history, and its 15 releases in the last 90 days signal steady, deliberate maintenance. OpenAI Codex CLI, by contrast, has shipped 38 releases in the same window, nearly three times the pace, suggesting an aggressive development cycle that is actively closing gaps. It already covers 16 of 18 tracked features, so the functional difference is narrower than the numbers might imply — the two missing features (Multi-file Editing and JetBrains support) will only matter to a subset of users. For developers who primarily work in VS Code or terminal-first workflows and don't need JetBrains support, OpenAI Codex CLI's velocity makes it an exciting, credible alternative. The bottom line: Gemini CLI wins on current feature breadth and IDE ecosystem coverage, while OpenAI Codex CLI wins on development momentum and may close the remaining gap quickly.
Choose Gemini CLI if: Choose Gemini CLI if you work across JetBrains IDEs or regularly need coordinated multi-file edits, and want a tool with a proven, stable feature set that already covers every tracked capability.
Choose OpenAI Codex CLI if: Choose OpenAI Codex CLI if you work primarily in the terminal or VS Code, prioritize a fast-moving tool that ships fixes and improvements at high frequency, and don't depend on JetBrains integration.
Key differences
- Gemini CLI supports all 18 tracked features; OpenAI Codex CLI supports 16, missing Multi-file Editing and JetBrains integration
- OpenAI Codex CLI ships nearly 3x as many releases per 90-day window, indicating a faster iteration cycle
- Gemini CLI has a longer tracked history (317 total releases vs. 170), suggesting greater overall maturity
- JetBrains IDE support is exclusive to Gemini CLI among the two tools
- Both tools are closely matched for terminal and VS Code workflows, making feature gaps the primary differentiator
At a glance
| Tool | Latest version | Release date | Releases tracked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gemini CLI | v0.63.0 | October 6, 2026 | 318 |
| OpenAI Codex CLI | rust-v0.162.1 | October 9, 2026 | 175 |
Gemini CLI vs Codex CLI: key feature differences
Gemini CLI supports 17 of 18 tracked features; OpenAI Codex CLI supports 16 of 18. Both support 15 features.
What Gemini CLI has that Codex CLI doesn't
- Multi-file Editing
- JetBrains
What Codex CLI has that Gemini CLI doesn't
- Shell Integration
Release cadence: Gemini CLI vs Codex CLI
Codex CLI ships more often: 36 releases in the last 90 days versus 14 for Gemini CLI. Counts are as of October 16, 2026.
| Metric | Gemini CLI | Codex CLI |
|---|---|---|
| Releases in the last 30 days | 3 | 16 |
| Releases in the last 90 days | 14 | 36 |
| Median gap between recent releases | 6.6 days | 1 day |
| Releases tracked | 318 | 175 |
| First tracked release | June 28, 2025 | June 30, 2025 |
What's new in Gemini CLI and Codex CLI
Latest Gemini CLI releases
- Gemini CLI v0.63.0 (October 6, 2026) — Gemini CLI v0.63.0 improves reliability with better connection recovery feedback and smarter error handling that tells you exactly what went wrong. We've also optimized memory usage in long-running…
- Gemini CLI v0.62.0 (September 29, 2026) — Gemini CLI v0.62.0 is here with improved reliability, including better handling of authentication tokens and smoother tool integration with clearer formatting. We've also fixed several stability…
- Gemini CLI v0.61.0 (September 23, 2026) — Gemini CLI v0.61.0 strengthens security with improved protection against prompt injection attacks and hardens sandbox isolation for safer execution. We've also fixed critical issues with model…
Latest OpenAI Codex CLI releases
- OpenAI Codex CLI rust-v0.162.1 (October 9, 2026) — OpenAI Codex CLI rust-v0.162.1 fixes a critical crash when handling multi-line questions and resolves startup issues caused by feature setting mismatches. These updates make the tool more reliable…
- OpenAI Codex CLI rust-v0.162.0 (October 8, 2026) — The OpenAI Codex CLI rust-v0.162.0 release makes URLs clickable throughout the interface and adds powerful new ways to organize your work, including pinnable tasks and Git worktree management for…
- OpenAI Codex CLI rust-v0.161.0 (October 7, 2026) — OpenAI Codex CLI rust-v0.161.0 now defaults to the faster GPT-6.1 Sol model and lets you customize your microphone and speaker settings for voice conversations. You can also log into MCP servers…
Core Editing
Multi-file editing, streaming, undo capabilities
| Feature | Gemini CLI | Codex CLI |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-file Editing — Edit multiple files in a single operation | ✓ since v0.22.0 | — |
| Streaming Output — Real-time streaming of AI responses | ✓ since v0.55.1 | ✓ since rust-v0.162.0 |
| Undo/Redo — Ability to undo and redo changes | ✓ since v0.58.0 | ✓ since rust-v0.162.0 |
| Diff View — Visual comparison of changes | ✓ since v0.63.0 | ✓ since rust-v0.162.1 |
Terminal Integration
Shell and command execution support
| Feature | Gemini CLI | Codex CLI |
|---|---|---|
| Command Execution — Run shell commands | ✓ since v0.63.0 | ✓ since rust-v0.162.1 |
| Shell Integration — Integration with user shell environment | — | ✓ since rust-v0.159.0 |
| Background Tasks — Run tasks in background | ✓ since v0.63.0 | ✓ since rust-v0.162.1 |
MCP Support
Model Context Protocol server and client capabilities
| Feature | Gemini CLI | Codex CLI |
|---|---|---|
| MCP Client — Connect to MCP servers | ✓ since v0.63.0 | ✓ since rust-v0.162.0 |
| MCP Server — Expose as MCP server | ✓ since v0.44.0 | ✓ since rust-v0.162.0 |
| Custom Tools — Define and use custom tools | ✓ since v0.30.0 | ✓ since rust-v0.162.0 |
IDE Integrations
VS Code, JetBrains, and other editor support
| Feature | Gemini CLI | Codex CLI |
|---|---|---|
| VS Code — Visual Studio Code integration | ✓ since v0.62.0 | ✓ since rust-v0.136.0 |
| JetBrains — IntelliJ/WebStorm integration | ✓ since v0.41.0 | — |
| Vim/Neovim — Vim or Neovim integration | ✓ since v0.45.0 | ✓ since rust-v0.162.0 |
| Web UI — Browser-based interface | ✓ since v0.60.0 | ✓ since rust-v0.162.0 |
Agentic Features
Planning, tool use, and autonomous capabilities
| Feature | Gemini CLI | Codex CLI |
|---|---|---|
| Planning Mode — Plan before executing changes | ✓ since v0.63.0 | ✓ since rust-v0.160.0 |
| Autonomous Mode — Extended autonomous operation | ✓ since v0.63.0 | ✓ since rust-v0.162.0 |
| Task Decomposition — Break complex tasks into steps | ✓ since v0.62.0 | ✓ since rust-v0.162.1 |
| Context Management — Manage context across conversations | ✓ since v0.63.0 | ✓ since rust-v0.162.0 |
Feature timeline: who shipped first
First release where Gemini CLI and Codex CLI each shipped a notable feature, and which tool led.
| Feature | Gemini CLI | Codex CLI | Who led |
|---|---|---|---|
| Custom Slash Commands | February 10, 2026 | August 20, 2025 | Codex CLI first, 175d ahead |
| Subagents / Parallel Agents | April 1, 2026 | January 25, 2026 | Codex CLI first, 66d ahead |
| Sandboxing / Permission Modes | — | August 7, 2025 | only Codex CLI |
| Background Tasks | — | September 9, 2026 | only Codex CLI |
| Hooks | January 14, 2026 | May 8, 2026 | Gemini CLI first, 114d ahead |
| Skills / Plugins | January 21, 2026 | December 10, 2025 | Codex CLI first, 41d ahead |
| Project Memory Files | — | February 12, 2026 | only Codex CLI |
| MCP Support | January 7, 2026 | July 23, 2025 | Codex CLI first, 168d ahead |
| Extended Thinking | — | July 9, 2025 | only Codex CLI |
| Voice Input | — | February 25, 2026 | only Codex CLI |
| Planning Mode | — | January 25, 2026 | only Codex CLI |
| Image / Vision Input | — | December 2, 2025 | only Codex CLI |
| Headless / Non-interactive Mode | — | July 19, 2025 | only Codex CLI |
| Web Search / Fetch | — | June 9, 2026 | only Codex CLI |
| Git / PR Integration | — | May 7, 2026 | only Codex CLI |
| Checkpoints / Rewind | — | December 15, 2025 | only Codex CLI |
| Todo / Task List | — | May 21, 2026 | only Codex CLI |
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Gemini CLI or OpenAI Codex CLI?
Gemini CLI is the stronger all-around choice for most developers today, but OpenAI Codex CLI is the right pick for teams that value rapid iteration and are comfortable trading a couple of features for a faster-moving release cadence. Gemini CLI covers the full tracked feature set — including Multi-file Editing and JetBrains IDE integration — giving it a meaningful edge for developers who work across multiple files simultaneously or who spend significant time inside JetBrains IDEs like IntelliJ or PyCharm. Its 317 tracked releases reflect a long, maturing history, and its 15 releases in the last 90 days signal steady, deliberate maintenance. OpenAI Codex CLI, by contrast, has shipped 38 releases in the same window, nearly three times the pace, suggesting an aggressive development cycle that is actively closing gaps. It already covers 16 of 18 tracked features, so the functional difference is narrower than the numbers might imply — the two missing features (Multi-file Editing and JetBrains support) will only matter to a subset of users. For developers who primarily work in VS Code or terminal-first workflows and don't need JetBrains support, OpenAI Codex CLI's velocity makes it an exciting, credible alternative. The bottom line: Gemini CLI wins on current feature breadth and IDE ecosystem coverage, while OpenAI Codex CLI wins on development momentum and may close the remaining gap quickly.
What is the difference between Gemini CLI and Codex CLI?
Gemini CLI supports 17 of 18 tracked features; OpenAI Codex CLI supports 16 of 18. Only Gemini CLI: Multi-file Editing and JetBrains. Only Codex CLI: Shell Integration. Both support 15 tracked features.
Which gets updated more often, Gemini CLI or Codex CLI?
OpenAI Codex CLI ships more often. In the 90 days to October 16, 2026, Havoptic tracked 14 Gemini CLI releases and 36 Codex CLI releases (318 and 175 releases tracked in total). Gemini CLI's median gap between its last 21 releases is 6.6 days. Codex CLI's median gap between its last 21 releases is 1 day.
What are the latest versions of Gemini CLI and Codex CLI?
The latest Gemini CLI release is v0.63.0, released October 6, 2026. The latest OpenAI Codex CLI release is rust-v0.162.1, released October 9, 2026.
Do Gemini CLI and Codex CLI support MCP (Model Context Protocol)?
Gemini CLI supports MCP Client, MCP Server, and Custom Tools. OpenAI Codex CLI supports MCP Client, MCP Server, and Custom Tools.
Release velocity
Havoptic tracks 318 Gemini CLI releases and 175 Codex CLI releases. See release frequency charts for side-by-side velocity analysis, or browse the Gemini CLI changelog and OpenAI Codex CLI changelog.
Related comparisons
More Gemini CLI comparisons
- Gemini CLI vs Claude Code
- Gemini CLI vs Cursor
- Gemini CLI vs Kiro CLI
- Gemini CLI vs GitHub Copilot CLI
- Gemini CLI vs Devin Desktop
- Gemini CLI vs Antigravity CLI
- Gemini CLI vs Grok Build
More OpenAI Codex CLI comparisons
- OpenAI Codex CLI vs Claude Code
- OpenAI Codex CLI vs Cursor
- OpenAI Codex CLI vs Kiro CLI
- OpenAI Codex CLI vs GitHub Copilot CLI
- OpenAI Codex CLI vs Devin Desktop
- OpenAI Codex CLI vs Antigravity CLI
- OpenAI Codex CLI vs Grok Build
Data source
Feature data is maintained in feature-matrix.json under a CC-BY-4.0 license. Release data comes from releases.json. Both are updated daily. See the methodology page for details on sourcing and human review.