What Exactly is Antigravity?

What Exactly is Antigravity?

Antigravity is an AI-powered Integrated Development Environment (IDE) built by Google. While it is based on the familiar VS Code architecture, Antigravity is fundamentally designed around the concept of "Agents."

Unlike standard coding assistants that wait for you to type, Antigravity employs autonomous agents powered by the Gemini 3 Pro model. These agents in Antigravity can plan tasks, write code across multiple files, run terminal commands, and even control a built-in web browser to test their own work. Currently, Antigravity is in preview and free to use, which makes it an incredibly attractive option for developers looking to access premium models without a subscription fee.

Core Features of Antigravity

Before we get into the tutorial, you need to understand the three pillars of the Antigravity interface:

1. The Agent Manager: This is the command center of Antigravity. Instead of a simple chat window, this is where you assign high-level goals. The Antigravity agents then break these goals down into "Task Lists" and "Implementation Plans" for you to review.
2. The Editor: If you have used VS Code, the Antigravity editor will feel like home. It supports all your favorite extensions, but with deep AI integration. You can switch between the Agent view and the Editor view at any time.
3. The Antigravity Browser: This is the killer feature. Antigravity includes a built-in Chrome instance. The agents can actually click buttons, scroll pages, and input data to verify that the code they wrote works as intended.

Step-by-Step Tutorial: Building with Antigravity

Ready to get started? Here is how to set up Antigravity and build a simple application, like a "Flight Tracker," from scratch.

Step 1: Installation and Setup

First, head to the official website to download Antigravity. It supports Windows, macOS, and Linux. Once installed, launch Antigravity.

You will be prompted to sign in with a personal Google account. Antigravity will then ask you to configure your "Terminal Execution Policy." We recommend choosing Auto or Agent-Assisted mode. This allows the Antigravity agents to run commands for you but ensures they ask for permission before doing anything risky, like deleting files.

Step 2: Creating a Workspace

In the Antigravity sidebar, click "Open Folder" to create a new workspace. Let's name it "flight-tracker." This gives the Antigravity agents a dedicated sandbox to work in.

Step 3: Assigning a Task to the Agent

Navigate to the Agent Manager view. Here, you will prompt Antigravity with your requirement. For example: "Build a Next.js flight tracking web app. Allow users to input a flight number and display departure and arrival times using dummy API data."

Step 4: Reviewing the Plan

This is where Antigravity shines. The agent will not just start spitting out code. It will generate "Artifacts." You will see a Task List showing what Antigravity plans to do step-by-step, and an Implementation Plan detailing the file structure.

You act as the manager here. Review the plan. If it looks good, approve it. Antigravity will then begin generating the code, creating files, and installing dependencies automatically.

Step 5: Testing with the Integrated Browser

Once the coding is done, Antigravity will offer to test the application. When you accept, the Antigravity browser will open. You will see a blue border around the window, indicating that the Antigravity agent is in control.

It will navigate to the local host, type in a flight number, and verify the results. It effectively performs end-to-end testing for you. Antigravity even records a video of this session so you can review the test later.

Step 6: Iterating

If you want to change something, simply tell Antigravity in the chat. For instance, "Replace the dummy data with a real aviation API" or "Design a logo for this app." Antigravity allows you to maintain context across these tasks, modifying the existing codebase rather than starting over.

Honest Feedback: The Current State of Antigravity

While Antigravity is impressive, it is not perfect. Here are a few things to keep in mind when using Antigravity:

• Rate Limits: Even though Antigravity is free, it has strict usage quotas. Many users report hitting the limit after a few complex tasks, even with Gemini Advanced subscriptions. When the quota hits, Antigravity essentially stops working until it resets.
• Stability: As a preview product, Antigravity can be buggy. Agents might occasionally get stuck in loops or fail to execute terminal commands properly.
• Security: Because Antigravity agents have terminal access, you must be careful. Always check the "Implementation Plan" before allowing Antigravity to execute destructive commands like deleting directories.

Conclusion

Antigravity represents a bold step forward in AI-assisted development. By focusing on autonomous agents and browser integration, Antigravity offers a glimpse into a future where developers spend more time managing and reviewing than typing.

If you want to experience the power of Gemini 3 Pro for free, Antigravity is absolutely worth a download. Just be prepared for some beta-software quirks and rate limits.

Have you tried Antigravity yet? Let us know your thoughts on this new tool.