Google Jules: The AI Coding Assistant That Does the Tasks You Hate

December 2024. Google just launched Jules, an AI coding assistant that does the tasks developers avoid: bug fixing, version bumps, tests, and feature building. Integrated directly with GitHub and powered by Gemini 3 Pro, Jules might be the most practical AI coding tool yet.

Jules isn't just another code completion tool. It's an autonomous coding assistant that takes on entire tasks—from planning to pull request. You write a prompt, Jules creates a plan, generates the code, and opens a PR. The workflow is simple, but the implications are massive.

What Is Google Jules?

Jules is Google's AI coding assistant that handles the coding tasks you don't want to do. According to jules.google, it's designed to give you "more time for the code you want to write, and everything else."

Unlike traditional AI coding assistants that suggest code as you type, Jules takes on complete tasks. You assign it work, and it handles the entire process from start to finish.

How Jules Works

Jules follows a simple four-step workflow:

1. Select Your Repository

Connect Jules to your GitHub repository and select the branch you want to work on. Jules integrates directly with GitHub, so it has full context of your codebase.

2. Write a Detailed Prompt

Describe the task you want Jules to complete. For example:

• "Can you bump the version of next.js to v15 and convert the project to use app directory?"
• "Fix the authentication bug in the login component"
• "Add unit tests for the payment processing module"
• "Build a new feature to export user data as CSV"

You can also use the "jules" label in a GitHub issue to assign a task directly.

3. Jules Creates a Plan

Jules uses Gemini 3 Pro to analyze your repository, understand the task, and develop a detailed plan. It shows you exactly what files it will update and what changes it will make.

For example, if you ask it to convert a Next.js project to the app directory, Jules might say:

"Here is my plan: I plan to update the following files to the new app directory structure. Update 22 Files"

You review the plan and approve it, or ask Jules to modify it.

4. Review and Approve Changes

Jules provides a diff of all the changes it plans to make. You can browse through the code edits, review them, and approve what looks good.

Once you approve, Jules creates a pull request with all the changes. You review the PR, merge it to your branch, and publish it on GitHub—just like working with a human developer.

What Jules Can Do

Jules handles four main categories of tasks:

Bug Fixing

Jules can analyze your code, identify bugs, and fix them. It understands context, follows your coding patterns, and creates fixes that match your codebase style.

Version Bumps

Updating dependencies is tedious and error-prone. Jules can bump versions, check for compatibility issues, and update all related code to work with the new versions.

Tests

Writing tests is often the last thing developers want to do. Jules can generate comprehensive unit tests, integration tests, and even test fixtures based on your code.

Feature Building

Jules can build entire features from scratch. Describe what you need, and Jules will create the code, integrate it with your existing codebase, and ensure it follows your patterns.

Fixing Jed's Code

Jules can even refactor and fix code written by other developers (or yourself). It understands code quality, best practices, and can improve existing implementations.

Jules Pricing Plans

Jules offers three pricing tiers, each designed for different development workflows:

Jules (Free/Basic)

• 15 tasks per day - Enough for quick fixes and small tasks
• 3 concurrent tasks - Run multiple tasks in parallel
• Powered by Gemini 2.5 Pro - Solid performance for most tasks

Perfect for developers who want to try Jules or use it for occasional tasks.

Jules in Pro

• 100 tasks per day - Enough to run Jules throughout your coding day
• 15 concurrent tasks - Run multiple threads in parallel
• Higher access to latest models - Starting with Gemini 3 Pro

Designed for developers who ship daily and want to stay in the flow. This tier gives you enough capacity to use Jules as a regular part of your workflow.

Jules in Ultra

• 300 tasks per day - Handle the most demanding development cycles
• 60 concurrent tasks - Built for massively parallel workflows
• Priority access to latest models - Starting with Gemini 3 Pro

For builders who run agents at scale. If you're managing multiple projects, working on large codebases, or need to handle high-volume development tasks, this tier provides the capacity you need.

Powered by Gemini 3 Pro

Jules uses Google's latest Gemini 3 Pro model, which provides:

• Better code understanding - Understands context, patterns, and relationships in your codebase
• More accurate code generation - Produces code that actually works and follows best practices
• Faster processing - Handles complex tasks quickly
• Better planning - Creates more comprehensive and accurate plans

The Pro and Ultra tiers get priority access to Gemini 3 Pro, while the basic tier uses Gemini 2.5 Pro.

Security Considerations

As with any AI-generated code, there are security considerations when using Jules:

• Always review code - Never blindly merge AI-generated code. Review every change carefully.
• Check for vulnerabilities - Use security scanning tools to check AI-generated code for vulnerabilities.
• Test thoroughly - Run comprehensive tests on AI-generated code before deploying.
• Understand the changes - Make sure you understand what Jules changed and why.
• Use code review - Have another developer review AI-generated code, just like you would with human-written code.

This aligns with our previous warnings about AI-generated code—always review and secure what AI creates.

Comparison with Other AI Coding Assistants

GitHub Copilot

GitHub Copilot suggests code as you type. Jules takes on entire tasks autonomously. Copilot is reactive (suggests as you code), while Jules is proactive (completes tasks you assign).

Amazon CodeWhisperer

CodeWhisperer focuses on code completion and security. Jules focuses on task automation and complete feature building. They serve different purposes.

Google Gemini Code Assist

Gemini Code Assist is Google's IDE-integrated coding assistant. Jules is task-oriented and GitHub-integrated. They complement each other—use Code Assist while coding, use Jules for complete tasks.

Benefits of Using Jules

• Save time - Automate repetitive tasks and focus on what matters
• Reduce errors - AI can catch issues humans might miss
• Maintain consistency - Jules follows patterns and maintains code style
• Handle tedious work - Let Jules handle the tasks you don't want to do
• Scale your development - Run multiple tasks in parallel
• Learn from examples - See how Jules approaches problems

Limitations and Considerations

• Requires review - You must review all AI-generated code
• Security risks - AI can introduce vulnerabilities if not carefully reviewed
• Task limits - Free tier has 15 tasks per day, which may not be enough for heavy use
• Learning curve - Writing good prompts takes practice
• GitHub dependency - Requires GitHub integration
• Cost - Pro and Ultra tiers require paid subscriptions

Real-World Use Cases

Version Migration

Migrating from Next.js 10 to 15 and converting to the app directory is a complex, time-consuming task. Jules can handle the entire migration, update all files, fix compatibility issues, and create a PR—all in minutes instead of hours.

Test Coverage

Your codebase has low test coverage, and you need to add tests for critical modules. Jules can analyze your code, understand what needs testing, and generate comprehensive test suites.

Bug Fixing

You have a bug that's been sitting in your backlog for weeks. Assign it to Jules with the "jules" label, and Jules will analyze the issue, identify the root cause, and create a fix.

Feature Development

You need to add a new feature but don't have time to build it from scratch. Describe the feature to Jules, and it will create the code, integrate it with your existing codebase, and ensure it follows your patterns.

Conclusion

Google Jules represents a shift in how we think about AI coding assistants. It's not just suggesting code—it's completing entire tasks autonomously. For developers drowning in repetitive work, Jules could be a game-changer.

But remember: Jules is a tool, not a replacement for good development practices. Always review AI-generated code, test it thoroughly, and maintain security awareness. Used correctly, Jules can save you hours every day. Used incorrectly, it can introduce vulnerabilities and bugs.

If you're spending too much time on tasks you hate—bug fixes, version bumps, tests, or repetitive features—Jules might be worth exploring. Start with the free tier, see how it works for your workflow, and scale up if it fits.

In the Matrix*, when systems automate the boring work, everything improves. Don't let repetitive coding tasks slow you down.

Learn more: Visit jules.google to get started.