I started using Google Antigravity for client website builds a few months after it launched in November 2025. The first time an agent wrote, tested, and previewed a complete HTML page without me typing a single line of code, I had to check twice if it was real. That was my first proper experience with what Google calls agent-first development.
If you are new to Antigravity and do not know where to begin, this guide walks you through the complete setup on Mac, the core interface, how to run your first task, and the errors you will most likely hit in your first week.
What is Google Antigravity?
Google Antigravity is an AI-native development platform built on a modified version of Visual Studio Code. Unlike normal coding tools that suggest the next line as you type, Antigravity uses autonomous AI agents that plan, write, test, and verify entire tasks on their own.
It launched on November 18, 2025, alongside Gemini 3, and it is free to use during public preview. No credit card needed. Just a personal Gmail account. According to a setup guide published by Petronella Technology Group in April 2026, Antigravity had reached version 1.22.2 by that month and holds a 4.7/5 rating on Product Hunt from early users.
The key difference from tools like Cursor or Claude Code: Antigravity behaves more like a project manager than an assistant. You describe what you want. The agent figures out the steps, runs them, and reports back.
What You Need Before You Start
Before installing, make sure you have:
- A Mac running macOS Monterey (12.0) or a newer version
- Google Chrome installed
- A personal Gmail account (Google Workspace accounts are not supported yet)
- A stable internet connection
You do not need to know how to code. That said, if you understand the basics of how a website or app is structured, you will write better prompts and get cleaner results from the agents.
How to Download and Install Google Antigravity
Before You Download: System Requirements
Check that your machine meets these before installing.
| Requirement | Mac | Windows | Linux |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS version | macOS Monterey 12+ | Windows 10+ (64-bit) | Ubuntu 20.04+ or glibc 2.28+ |
| RAM | 8GB minimum, 16GB recommended | 8GB minimum, 16GB recommended | 8GB minimum, 16GB recommended |
| Storage | 5GB free disk space | 5GB free disk space | 5GB free disk space |
| Browser | Chrome (required for browser agent) | Chrome, set as default browser | Chrome |
| Account | Personal Gmail | Personal Gmail | Personal Gmail |
| Node.js | Not required | Not required | v18 or higher |
Important: Google Workspace accounts are not supported during the public preview. Use a personal Gmail account. If you only have a Workspace account, create a free Gmail account to get started.
Mac Install Steps
Step 1. Download the installer
Go to antigravity.google and click the download button. For Mac, you will see two options: Apple Silicon (for M1, M2, M3, M4, M5 chips) and Intel. Not sure which one your Mac uses? Click the Apple menu at the top left of your screen, then click “About This Mac.” The chip type will be listed there.
Download the matching .dmg file.
Step 2. Install the app
Open the .dmg file once it finishes downloading. Drag the Antigravity icon into your Applications folder. That is the full installation.
macOS may ask if you want to open an app downloaded from the internet. Click Open.
If you see a warning that says “Apple cannot verify the developer,” go to System Settings > Privacy & Security. You will see a prompt about Antigravity near the bottom. Click “Open Anyway.”
Step 3. First launch and setup
Open Antigravity from your Applications folder, or use Spotlight (Cmd + Space, then type Antigravity).
On first launch, the app takes you through a short setup screen. The main choices are:
Import settings. You can bring in settings from an existing VS Code or Cursor setup. For a fresh start, choose the clean install option.
Editor theme. Pick dark or light. This is just visual preference.
Command line tool. The setup offers to install the agy command so you can open Antigravity from the terminal. This is optional. If you are not familiar with the terminal, skip it for now.
Step 4. Sign in with Google
After the setup screens, Antigravity will ask you to sign in. It opens Chrome for Google authentication. Sign in with your personal Gmail account.
Once authentication is done, Chrome shows a confirmation message and sends you back to the app. You will land on the Agent Manager screen. Setup is complete.
How to Install Google Antigravity on Windows
Download the .exe installer from antigravity.google/download.
Choose the 64-bit Windows version. Antigravity requires Windows 10 or later (64-bit).
Step 1: Run the installer
Double-click the downloaded .exe file. Windows Defender SmartScreen may show a warning.
Click “More info”, then click “Run anyway.” This is expected for newly released software.
Step 2: Choose the install path
When prompted, install to the default path: C:\Program Files\Google Antigravity.
Do not change this path. Installing to a custom folder causes login loop issues in about
70% of Windows setups.
Step 3: Set Chrome as your default browser before signing in Antigravity uses Chrome for Google authentication. If Chrome is not your default browser, the sign-in flow may not redirect back to the app correctly. Go to Windows Settings > Apps > Default Apps. Set Chrome as the default browser. Then launch Antigravity.
Step 4: Sign in Antigravity opens Chrome for Google sign-in. Use a personal Gmail account. Google Workspace accounts are not supported during the public preview. Once authenticated, Chrome shows a confirmation and sends you back to the app.
Windows-specific note: If the installer is stuck on “Preparing to Install,” install Visual Studio Code first, then retry the Antigravity installer.
How to Install Google Antigravity on Linux
Antigravity supports 64-bit Linux with glibc 2.28 or later and glibcxx 3.4.25 or later. Ubuntu 20.04+ and Fedora 34+ work well. Older distributions may fail due to dependency versions.
Before installing, check your system:
ldd --version # Must show glibc 2.28+
node --version # Must show v18 or higherIf Node.js is below v18, install it via nvm:
curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/master/install.sh | bash
nvm install 20
nvm use 20Install via APT (recommended for Ubuntu/Debian):
sudo mkdir -p /etc/apt/keyrings
curl -fsSL https://us-central1-apt.pkg.dev/doc/repo-signing-key.gpg | \
sudo gpg --dearmor -o /etc/apt/keyrings/antigravity-repo-key.gpg
echo "deb [signed-by=/etc/apt/keyrings/antigravity-repo-key.gpg] \
https://us-central1-apt.pkg.dev/projects/antigravity-auto-updater-dev/ \
antigravity-debian main" | \
sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/antigravity.list
sudo apt update && sudo apt install google-antigravityOr download the standalone binary:
Download the .AppImage file from the official download page. Make it executable and run:
chmod +x Antigravity-*.AppImage
./Antigravity-*.AppImageLinux sign-in note: If Google sign-in fails in WSL2, it is usually a clock-drift issue. Fix it with:
sudo apt install util-linux-extra && sudo hwclock -sThen sign out from Settings > Account, force-quit the app, relaunch, and sign in again.
APT update not detecting a new version? This is a known Linux issue where the APT cache holds old release data. Force a cache refresh:
sudo rm /var/cache/apt/pkgcache.bin
sudo apt update
sudo apt install --reinstall google-antigravityUnderstanding the Antigravity Interface
When you open Antigravity, you will primarily have two options to work upon:
1. Agent Manager This is the main screen and operates as a normal chat window. Here, you chat with the autonomous agent to generate all your relevant assets, components, and project files. It is a high-level chat interface where you describe your goals in plain language, and the agent acts as your project manager.
2. Editor Window This is the standard code editor, similar to VS Code. In the editor window, you will be able to see all the code, implementation plans, and raw files generated by the agent. While the Agent Manager is for generation via chat, the Editor Window is for a custom, hands-on coding experience where you can review, tweak, and perfect the codebase.
(Note: Antigravity also includes a built-in Browser so the agent can preview and test your web pages automatically).
Which AI Models Does Antigravity Support?
Antigravity supports multiple models. You are not locked into Gemini. As of May 2026, the supported models are:
| Model | Best used for |
|---|---|
| Gemini 3.1 Pro | Default. Architecture work, large codebases, multi-file tasks. 2M token context window. |
| Gemini 3 Flash | Faster and cheaper. Good for boilerplate, documentation, and quick fixes. |
| Claude Sonnet 4.6 | Strong on long refactors and instruction-following tasks. |
| Claude Opus 4.6 | Complex reasoning. Use for tasks that require deep analysis. |
| GPT-OSS | Open-weight OpenAI models. Good for tasks where you prefer an open architecture. |
Note: The original Gemini 3 Pro was deprecated on February 19, 2026 and replaced by Gemini 3.1 Pro. If you installed Antigravity months ago and are seeing “Gemini 3 Pro is no longer available,” this is normal. Download the latest version to get access to Gemini 3.1 Pro.
A simple model selection strategy for beginners:
- Start with Gemini 3.1 Pro for any new project task.
- Switch to Gemini 3 Flash if you hit rate limits, or for repetitive/boilerplate work.
- Try Claude Sonnet if you want the agent to follow detailed instructions more precisely.
Is Google Antigravity Free? Pricing in 2026
Yes, Antigravity is free to use. Here is the full picture.
Antigravity launched completely free in November 2025. Google tightened the limits in December 2025 and introduced a credit-based system in March 2026 after users reported hitting restrictions quickly.
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | ~20 agent requests/day, Gemini 3 Flash access |
| Pro | $20/month | Gemini 3.1 Pro access, higher daily limits |
| Ultra | $249.99/month | Highest limits, for teams doing intensive daily builds |
| Credit packs | $25 for 2,500 credits | Top-up option if you hit free tier limits |
For beginners: The free tier is enough to learn the full workflow and run 2-3 hours of agent work per day. You will not need to pay anything to complete the setup in this guide.
One thing to know about the free tier: The rate limits are enforced during US peak hours. If you are in India and working mornings (IST), you are often outside peak US hours and will hit limits less frequently. If you do get a rate limit error, switch to Gemini 3 Flash in the model selector. Flash has more generous limits than 3.1 Pro on the free tier.
Will it stay free? Google has not announced when the preview ends. The credit-pack model suggests they are testing a paid tier. Plan for the free tier to change at some point. For now, it is a good time to learn the tool without any cost.
AGENTS.md: How to Give the Agent Persistent Instructions
AGENTS.md is a file you create inside your project folder. The agent reads it at the start of every task in that project. It is the equivalent of writing a brief for the agent before the work begins.
It was introduced in Antigravity v1.20.3. If you are on an older version, update first.
What to put in it:
- Coding style preferences (“Use TypeScript, not JavaScript for all new files.”)
- Things to avoid (“Do not use inline CSS. Always use Tailwind classes.”)
- File structure rules (“Keep all components in the /components folder.”)
- Documentation rules (“Add a JSDoc comment to every exported function.”)
- Output format (“Always generate a README.md with setup instructions.”)
How to create it:
- Open your workspace folder in the Editor View.
- Create a new file named exactly
AGENTS.mdin the root of your project folder. - Write your instructions in plain language. No special formatting needed.
Example AGENTS.md for a simple website project:
# Project Rules
- Use plain HTML, CSS, and vanilla JavaScript. No frameworks.
- All CSS goes in a single `style.css` file. No inline styles.
- Use semantic HTML tags: header, main, section, article, footer.
- Add alt text to every image tag.
- Generate a README.md with a brief setup note when the project is complete.The agent will follow these rules for every task in this workspace without you repeating them. This is especially useful for agency work where you run the same stack across multiple client projects. Create one base AGENTS.md, copy it into each new workspace, and adjust as needed.
Setting Up Your First Workspace
A workspace in Antigravity is a folder on your Mac. Everything your agent creates for a project gets saved inside that folder. One workspace should contain one project.
One important thing before you do anything else: the workspace name and the project you are working on should match. If you are building something called “ClientWebsite,” your workspace folder should also be named “ClientWebsite” or something close to it. Working inside the wrong workspace folder is one of the most common mistakes beginners make. The agent will create or modify files in the wrong place, and it is annoying to untangle later.
Here is how to set up a workspace:
- Create a new folder on your Mac for the project. For example, a folder called “my-first-project” on your Desktop.
- Open Antigravity. In the Agent Manager, look for the Workspaces section in the left sidebar.
- Click “Add Workspace” and select the folder you just created.
- Make sure this workspace is the active one before you start any conversation.
Running Your First Task
With your workspace ready, click “Start Conversation” in the Agent Manager. This opens the prompt input where you describe what you want.
Write your instruction in plain language. For example: “Create a simple one-page HTML website for a photography portfolio. Include a header with my name, a gallery section with placeholder images, and a contact section.”
The agent will:
- Read your prompt and create a task list.
- Ask for terminal permissions to run commands. Click Allow.
- Start generating files inside your workspace folder.
- Open the built-in browser to show you the preview.
According to the official Google Codelabs Antigravity guide, the agent maintains a persistent task list throughout your session. Unlike a normal chat, these tasks are saved. You can stop the agent mid-task and resume without losing context.
Once the task is done, switch to the Editor View to see all the files. You can also open the workspace folder on your Mac directly to find the actual files.
Common Errors Beginners Face (and How to Fix Them)
These are the errors I have run into regularly in the first few weeks of using Antigravity. Chances are, you will see them too.
Error: “Agent terminated due to error”
This shows up when there is high demand on the model you are using at that moment. It is not a problem with your prompt or your project.
Fix: Switch to a different model and retry the same task. In the Agent Manager, you can change the active model from the model selector before starting a new conversation. Gemini 3 Flash is a reliable fallback. It handles most tasks without the same load issues and responds faster.
Agent creating files in the wrong folder
If the agent starts writing files outside your project folder, your workspace and project are not aligned.
Fix: Check the Workspaces section in the sidebar. Confirm that the selected workspace points to your current project folder. If not, switch to the correct one before continuing.
Slow or failed responses with Claude models
Claude Sonnet and Claude Opus are two of the stronger models available inside Antigravity. But they can be slow or unavailable during high-traffic windows.
Based on my usage patterns, Claude gets congested during IST peak hours, roughly from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Responses slow down, and you may hit termination errors more often during this window.
What works better:
- Use Claude Opus or Claude Sonnet in the early morning (before 9:00 AM IST) or in the evening (after 7:00 PM IST). This is when response quality is noticeably better and the models are less loaded.
- During the day, switch to Gemini 3 Flash or GPT for your tasks. Both perform well for website builds, content generation, and standard coding work during peak hours.
If you are working on something that needs Claude-level reasoning, save that task for early morning or late evening.
”This Version of Antigravity Is No Longer Supported”
This shows up after an update. Antigravity requires the client and the backend to stay in sync. When Google updates the backend, older clients can no longer connect.
Fix: Download the latest installer from antigravity.google/download and run it without uninstalling first. Your settings, rules, and workflows will be preserved.
If the update is looping and not sticking, it usually means the old version left a cached state.
On Mac: Go to ~/Library/Caches/ and delete any Antigravity-related folders. Then reinstall.
On Linux (Ubuntu/Debian): Run this to clear the APT cache and force a fresh install:
sudo rm /var/cache/apt/pkgcache.bin
sudo apt update
sudo apt install --reinstall google-antigravityAgent Stuck on “Generating…” or “Working…” Indefinitely
The agent is not frozen. It is waiting on something. The most common causes:
- A terminal command needs your approval. Check the Agent Manager for a pending permission prompt.
- The browser sub-agent is waiting on a page to load. Look at the built-in browser panel.
- The model is under heavy load. This is common during US peak hours.
Fix: First, check for any pending approval prompts in Agent Manager. If there are none, open the model selector and switch to Gemini 3 Flash. Restart the task.
If it keeps happening, go to Settings > Terminal Execution Policy and set it to “Auto.” This allows the agent to run safe commands without waiting for your approval each time.
Login Loop After Installing on Windows
The browser redirects to a success message but Antigravity stays on the loading screen.
This happens when Chrome is not the default browser, or when Antigravity was installed to a custom folder path.
Fix:
- Uninstall Antigravity completely.
- Set Chrome as your default browser in Windows Settings > Apps > Default Apps.
- Reinstall Antigravity to
C:\Program Files\Google Antigravityspecifically. - Clear browser cookies and sign out of all Google accounts in Chrome.
- Launch Antigravity and sign in again.
This resolves about 70% of Windows login loop cases.
Key Takeaways
- Antigravity is free during public preview. Sign in with a personal Gmail account.
- On Mac, download the Apple Silicon or Intel version based on your chip. Open the .dmg, drag to Applications, and sign in with Gmail.
- Always match your workspace folder to the project you are working on. Mismatched workspaces cause files to land in the wrong place.
- “Agent terminated due to error” usually means high model demand. Switch models and retry.
- Claude Opus and Claude Sonnet perform best before 9:00 AM IST or after 7:00 PM IST. Use Gemini or GPT during the day.
The Complete Troubleshooting Guide
If you are stuck on a specific error code or terminal hang while using the Agent Manager, check out my dedicated resource: Google Antigravity Errors: The Complete Troubleshooting Guide.
It covers the exact UI errors, what causes them, and how to fix them instantly, including:
- Workspace path resolution failures
- Terminal process timeouts
- API Rate limits (HTTP 429)
- Authentication blocks
Antigravity vs Cursor vs Claude Code: Which One Should You Use?
All three are AI coding tools. They work very differently.
| Google Antigravity | Cursor | Claude Code | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Agent-first IDE | AI-enhanced IDE | Terminal agent |
| How you use it | Describe a task, agents run it | Write code with AI assistance | Run tasks from the terminal |
| Built-in browser | Yes. Agent tests your app automatically | No | No |
| Parallel agents | Up to 5 agents on one project | Background agents (newer feature) | Multi-agent via CLI |
| Free tier | Yes, generous during preview | No | Yes, limited |
| Pricing | Free / $20 / $249.99/month | $20/month | $20/month |
| Best for | Prototyping, full-stack builds | Daily coding, precision editing | Refactoring, architecture reviews |
| Familiarity | VS Code-based, low learning curve | VS Code fork, zero learning curve | Terminal, steeper curve |
| Model used | Gemini 3.1 Pro, Claude, GPT-OSS | GPT-5, Claude Opus 4.6, Gemini 3 | Claude Opus 4.6, Sonnet 4.6 |
The short version:
- Antigravity is best if you want to build something complete from a description and watch agents do the work. It is not the fastest for fixing one bug.
- Cursor is the daily driver for most developers. Fast, familiar, precise.
- Claude Code is the best choice if you want to understand exactly what is changing in your codebase. Every action goes through your approval.
I use Antigravity for client website builds where I want to set a task and review the result. I use Claude Code when I need to be specific about what changes, file by file. Neither replaces the other. They serve different purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Google Antigravity free to use?
Yes, it is free during public preview. You get access to all supported models including Gemini 3 Pro, Claude Sonnet, Claude Opus, and GPT-OSS with no credit card required. Google has said it will announce pricing changes before any paid plans go live.
Do I need coding knowledge to use Antigravity?
No. Antigravity runs on plain language prompts. You describe what you want to build, and the agent handles the code. Some basic understanding of how websites or apps are structured helps you review the output, but it is not a requirement to get started.
What is the difference between a workspace and a project?
A workspace is a folder on your Mac. The agent saves all project files inside that folder. A project is the work you are doing inside that workspace. Keep one project per workspace folder to avoid confusion and file conflicts.
Why does my agent stop in the middle of a task?
Two common reasons: the agent is waiting for you to approve a terminal permission, or the model is under heavy load. Check if there is an approval prompt waiting in the Agent Manager. If not, switch to a different model and restart the task.
Harshal Saraf is a Creative Director and AI Workflow Consultant based in Indore, India. Under his practice ByHarshal, he sets up AI workflows for founders, agencies, and brands across India. Where Creative Direction Meets AI Orchestration. He has led creative direction for brands and small and medium scale B2B businesses, and currently works as Creative Director and AI Strategist at Square Root SEO. He writes Oh, So AI, a Tuesday and Friday newsletter on AI tools, workflows, and productivity for founders and creatives.
