Google Code Assist

Google’s AI coding assistant integrates directly into VS Code and JetBrains IDEs to provide intelligent code completions, generate entire functions from comments, and even handle complex multi-file tasks through its new agent mode.

🧰 Who is this useful for:

• Developers looking to accelerate their coding workflow and reduce repetitive tasks

• Teams wanting to maintain consistent coding standards and best practices

• Programmers learning new frameworks or languages who need intelligent suggestions

• Software engineers working on complex projects requiring multi-file modifications

STEP 1: Install and Set Up Your AI Coding Assistant

Head to VS Code Extensions or your JetBrains IDE plugin marketplace and search for “Gemini Code Assist.” Install the extension and restart your IDE. For individual developers, the service is completely free to use.

After installation, sign in with your Google account when prompted. The extension will appear in your activity bar and you’ll see a Gemini icon in the left navigation. You’re now ready to start coding with AI assistance.

STEP 2: Generate Code from Natural Language Comments

Try the comment-to-code feature by typing a descriptive comment in your code file. For example, write “# Function to upload a file to Google Cloud Storage” on a new line, then press Ctrl+Enter (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Enter (Mac).

The AI will generate complete functions based on your comments, showing suggestions as “ghost text” that you can accept or reject. You can navigate between multiple suggestions if available. This feature works across popular programming languages including Python, JavaScript, Java, Go, and more.

STEP 3: Use Chat for Complex Programming Questions

Click the Gemini icon in your IDE’s left sidebar to open the chat interface. Here you can ask complex questions like “How do I implement user authentication with JWT tokens?” or “Explain this error message and suggest a fix.”

The chat feature now includes enhanced context management, allowing you to continue conversations from where you left off and work with larger codebases more effectively. You can also select portions of your code and ask specific questions about it directly in the chat.

STEP 4: Customize with Personal Rules and Commands

Set up custom rules by opening VS Code settings and searching for “Geminicodeassist: Rules.” Add rules like “Always generate unit tests when creating a new function” to ensure the AI follows your team’s conventions.

Create custom commands for repetitive tasks by opening the Quick Pick menu (Ctrl+I) and selecting “Custom Commands.” For example, create a shortcut to scaffold new components or generate specific test patterns that match your project’s structure.

Pro tip: With the upcoming 2 million token context window, you’ll be able to work with even larger codebases. Start small with simple code generation, then gradually use more advanced features like agent mode as you become comfortable with the AI’s capabilities.