Google Antigravity Gets Free Opus 4.5 and Gemini 3 – A Powerful Alternative to Cursor
Google Antigravity Gets Free Opus 4.5 and Gemini 3 – A Powerful Alternative to Cursor
Introduction
Google’s Antigravity platform has received a major upgrade that dramatically improves its usefulness for both free and paid users. The latest release lifts restrictive rate limits, adds Opus 4.5 and Gemini 3 to the free tier, and introduces new image‑generation capabilities via Nano Banana Pro. These enhancements make Antigravity a compelling, cost‑free competitor to tools like Cursor.
Updated Rate Limits and Tier Benefits
Faster Refresh Cycles
- Pro users now see their limits refreshed every 5 hours.
- Free users also benefit from a quicker refresh, though Google does not disclose the exact quota. Early testing suggests the limits are substantially higher than before.
Consistent Limits Across Models
Both the free and paid tiers receive comparable limits for Opus 4.5 and Gemini 3, allowing developers to switch between the models without worrying about sudden throttling.
New Model Support: Opus 4.5 and Gemini 3
Antigravity now ships with two state‑of‑the‑art language models:
- Opus 4.5 – excels at backend logic, planning, and debugging.
- Gemini 3 – shines in front‑end development, UI generation, and rapid prototyping.
These models were previously available only through separate, expensive subscriptions. Their inclusion in the free tier means developers can achieve high‑quality results without additional cost.
Workflow Demo – Planning with Opus and Front‑End with Gemini
Below is a streamlined workflow that leverages the strengths of both models:
- Start a new task in Antigravity’s side‑pane (recommended over the agent manager for stability).
- Prompt Opus 4.5 to bifurcate the task into backend (B) and front‑end (F) steps:
- Number backend steps as B1, B2…
- Number front‑end steps as F1, F2…
- Execute backend tasks with Opus 4.5. Because Opus handles logic and API interactions well, it can generate functional server‑side code first.
- Switch to Gemini 3 for the front‑end steps. Gemini’s proficiency with UI frameworks and component libraries yields clean, production‑ready front‑end code.
- Iterate on bugs by returning to Opus 4.5 for debugging and refinement.
Planning vs. Fast Mode
- Planning mode creates a detailed roadmap before any code is generated, improving overall quality.
- Fast mode skips the roadmap and tackles the task directly—useful for quick prototypes but may require more post‑generation cleanup.
Nano Banana Pro Image Generation
The Nano Banana Pro add‑on expands Antigravity’s capabilities beyond code:
- Generates custom asset images (icons, banners, UI mockups) on demand.
- Saves the assets directly to your repository and inserts appropriate references into the code.
- Operates within the same usage limits, so no extra quota is consumed.
This feature is especially handy for developers who need visual assets without leaving the development environment.
Practical Tips for Free and Paid Users
- Students receive 18 months of Gemini AI Pro for free, making the platform an excellent learning tool.
- Users who already own Pixel devices or have a Google Workspace subscription automatically gain access to the upgraded Antigravity features.
- Existing Google Cloud Storage customers also benefit, as AI capabilities are bundled into the service.
- Remember that prompts and responses from the free tier are used for model training; consider this when working with sensitive code.
Conclusion
Google’s refreshed Antigravity platform removes previous friction points by offering generous rate limits, free access to Opus 4.5 and Gemini 3, and integrated image generation through Nano Banana Pro. Whether you are a student, a hobbyist, or a professional developer, the tool now provides a robust, zero‑cost alternative to commercial AI‑assisted coding assistants. By following the outlined workflow—planning with Opus, implementing UI with Gemini, and leveraging Nano Banana Pro for assets—you can maximize productivity and deliver high‑quality software without the expense of premium subscriptions.