"Google's Jules Tools brings autonomous AI coding into the terminal. Learn how the CLI and API run async tasks, create PRs, and fit into CI/CD, Slack, and IDE workflows."
Meet Jules Tools: Google puts an autonomous coder in your terminal
Google's Jules Tools is a new command-line interface (CLI) and public API built around Jules, an autonomous AI coding agent. Instead of chat-based, line-by-line suggestions, Jules handles scoped tasks asynchronously. You give it a job - like write a feature, fix tests, or refactor code - approve its plan, and Jules runs the work inside a secure cloud VM, can modify files, and even open pull requests with audio summaries for reviewers.
Why this matters
Developers spend a lot of time context switching. Jules Tools aims to reduce that friction by letting teams delegate multi-file or long-running tasks to an agent that runs in the background. This moves some work from interactive completion to autonomous execution, which can be a big win for senior engineers and teams managing complex codebases.
How Jules Tools works - a quick walkthrough
Setup is straightforward: sign in with Google, connect your GitHub repository, and pick a branch or task. Jules then spins up a VM, clones the repo, and returns a plan you can approve.
jules remote new --repo github.com/your/repo
# monitor
jules remote status --task-id 12345
# approve or reject plan from CLI or web
Once approved, Jules executes the plan, runs tests, commits changes, and can open a pull request with an audio summary. You can also integrate Jules with Slack and CI/CD, or trigger it from scripts and IDEs via the public API.
Key features at a glance
- Autonomous agent model - Runs scoped tasks without constant human interaction.
- Public API and CLI - Trigger tasks from terminals, CI, or chat tools.
- Context-aware - Deep repo access improves accuracy on multi-file changes.
- Audio summaries - Short audio notes accompany pull requests for faster reviews.
- Memory - Retains preferences to make future tasks faster.
How Jules compares to traditional coding assistants
Jules is built for background, autonomous workflows. Traditional tools focus on in-editor suggestions and completions. That difference changes where Jules can help most: larger refactors, multi-file test generation, or automated PRs.
| Feature | Jules Tools | GitHub Copilot |
|---|---|---|
| Interaction style | Asynchronous, plan-first | Real-time, developer-in-loop |
| Primary use | Autonomous tasks and PRs | Code completion and inline help |
| Integrations | CLI, API, Slack, CI/CD, IDEs | IDE-native plugins |
Practical use cases
- Automating test generation across a large module.
- Performing multi-file refactors with a reviewable plan.
- Running routine maintenance tasks from CI or Slack commands.
Jules turns repeatable, scope-driven work into a task you can hand off and trust to run in the background.
Pricing and access
Jules offers a free tier, plus paid plans for higher limits and enterprise features. Reported tiers include a free option with daily task limits, a mid-tier Google AI Pro plan, and a higher-tier Google AI Ultra plan for teams. Check the official sign-up page for the latest details.
Security and governance
Jules runs tasks in isolated Google Cloud VMs and uses repo-scoped access. For teams, the key questions are audit trails, approval gates, and data handling policies. If you plan to adopt Jules in production pipelines, review configuration options and enterprise controls closely.
Common questions
Is Jules safe to run on private code?
Jules uses secure VMs and GitHub integrations. Teams should still review permissions, set approval rules, and audit generated PRs before merging.
Will Jules replace in-editor assistants?
No. Jules and real-time assistants solve different problems. Jules handles autonomous, scoped tasks. In-editor tools remain best for instant completions and interactive help.
FAQs
How do I start with Jules?
Visit the official sign-up page, sign in with Google, link your GitHub repo, and try the CLI to submit a small task. See docs for CLI flags and examples.
Can Jules run in CI/CD?
Yes. Use the public API or CLI to trigger tasks from CI pipelines, then approve plans automatically or manually depending on your workflow.
Does Jules support multiple languages?
Yes. Jules supports major languages like Python, JavaScript, Java, and Go. Coverage will vary by task complexity and codebase.
References
Check the official sources and reporting for more details:
