Gemini Agent: A Practical Guide

Short answer

Gemini Agent is Google’s new AI helper that can take actions for you on the web, not just chat. It can click, type, scroll, and follow steps inside a browser, then check its work and keep going. Think of it like a careful helper who drives the mouse for you.

According to Google’s announcements, these agent skills are coming to Chrome and are already available to developers through the Gemini Computer Use model and demos like the Browserbase playground. You save time on chores like booking a haircut, ordering groceries, or gathering research, while staying in control.

What is Gemini Agent, exactly?

The term “Gemini Agent” shows up in a few places, and that can be confusing. Here’s the simple map:

• Gemini in Chrome (for everyone): An AI assistant built into the Chrome browser that helps you understand pages and, soon, act on them. See Google’s post about agentic browsing in Chrome and the official Gemini in Chrome page.
• Gemini Agent prototype (early previews): A research mode that can operate a browser and keep sessions. It’s been spotted in testing and UI banners, as covered by TestingCatalog.
• Gemini 2.5 Computer Use model (for developers): A model that can click, type, and navigate in a controlled environment. It’s explained in Google’s DeepMind blog and documented in the Gemini API docs. The Verge coverage shows examples like filling forms and browsing sites without APIs.

As Chrome adds more agent features, you’ll see Gemini help across tabs, remember past pages, and act inside Google apps like Calendar and Drive, as noted by Constellation Research and Google’s Chrome AI page.

How it works (plain English)

1. You state a goal. For example: “Book a haircut next Tuesday after 4 pm.”
2. Gemini plans steps. It decides which page to open, where to click, and what to type.
3. It acts in the browser. It clicks, scrolls, types, and submits forms using the Computer Use model.
4. It checks the result. It reads the page, sees if the goal is met, and keeps going if needed.
5. You stay in control. You can pause or stop. You can also choose what page data to share, as explained in the Chrome help guide.

Why this matters: many sites don’t offer APIs. The Computer Use model lets an AI use the web like a person would (clicks and keystrokes) so it can help with real sites you already use.

What you can do today (non-developers)

• Summarize and learn faster: Get quick page takeaways with Gemini in Chrome and Chrome’s AI features.
• Handle repeats: Offload boring steps like reordering weekly groceries. Google says agentic browsing is coming to help with tasks like booking haircuts or ordering groceries.
• Work across Google apps: Use Gemini to act in Calendar, Docs, and Drive from Chrome, per industry reporting.
• Stay signed in while it works: The Agent prototype can keep sessions, as noted by TestingCatalog.

Quick start: Try Gemini in Chrome

1. Open Chrome and click the Gemini icon (top bar). If it’s your first time, opt in. See Google’s help steps.
2. Sign in with your Google Account and make sure you’re on the latest Chrome.
3. Type your request. Tip: click “Share current page” so Gemini can use what’s on the screen (how sharing works).
4. Watch for a soft glow around the tab when a page is shared. Quick check: do you see the screen icon on the tab?

Helpful prompts you can copy

"Book a haircut next week. I'm free Tue Thu after 4 pm. Confirm the salon's address and price before booking."
"Reorder last week's grocery list. Pick the cheapest brand in stock. Swap any missing item with the closest match."
"Summarize these five tabs into one doc with bullets and links. Add a short FAQ at the end."
"My password was flagged as compromised. Walk me through changing it on these sites: [list]. Confirm each change."
"Compare the return policies on these two stores and tell me the biggest difference in plain words."

Tip: Start simple. Ask for one clear goal, then add rules (e.g., “confirm price,” “show steps,” “ask me before checkout”) so the agent knows your guardrails.

For developers: Build with Gemini Computer Use

Developers can build their own agents now using the Gemini Computer Use model, available in Google AI Studio and Vertex AI. You can also watch a live agent in the Browserbase demo and try an open-source browser playground on GitHub.

Key concepts from the docs:

• Secure sandbox: Run the agent in a VM, container, or locked-down profile, per the safety guidelines.
• Action loop: You implement a client that executes model actions (click, type, wait), then return screenshots back to the model.
• Stop conditions: End when the task is done, on user confirmation, or on clear failure, as in the final response guidance.

Developer quick-start checklist

• Pick your environment: local VM or cloud VM (Browserbase works well).
• Start with Google AI Studio or Vertex AI; confirm access to the Computer Use model.
• Implement the action handler (open browser, click, type, scroll, wait, go back).
• Capture screenshots after each action and feed them back to the model.
• Log steps and ask for user confirmation when needed (payments, bookings).
• Store minimal data; rotate credentials; add rate limits.

Template: Minimal agent loop (pseudo-code)

// Pseudo-code: run in a sandbox (VM or isolated profile)
initModel("computer-use");
openSandboxedBrowser();
while (!done) {
  const plan = model.nextAction(contextScreenshots, goal);
  const result = execute(plan); // click, type, wait, go_back, etc.
  captureScreenshot();
  if (plan.needsUserConfirm) { promptUser(plan.summary); }
  done = plan.goalReached || plan.failed;
}
finalizeAndReport();

Want a CLI agent? Check out the open-source Gemini CLI. For coding tasks, see Gemini Code Assist (Agent Mode) for an agent that handles development flows.

Safety, privacy, and control

• Pause anytime: You’re in charge. Chrome lets you stop the agent and control access to page content (Gemini in Chrome FAQs).
• Share only what’s needed: Use “Share current page” and review what’s being used (Chrome help).
• Use a sandbox for dev: Isolate the agent and apply least-privilege settings, per the developer docs.
• Double-check results: AI can make mistakes; Google notes responses may vary on the Chrome AI page.

Gemini Agent capability checklist

• Clicks, types, scrolls, and submits forms in a browser (see examples).
• Understands page layout using vision and reasoning (DeepMind blog).
• Works across tabs and recalls past sites (Chrome coverage).
• Acts inside Google apps in the browser (Calendar, Docs, Drive) as features roll out.
• Keeps sessions to stay logged in during multi-step flows (TestingCatalog).
• Can be watched and stopped by the user (Chrome help).

User vs. developer view

Feature	End user (Gemini in Chrome)	Developer (Computer Use)
Act on web pages	Guided actions inside Chrome UI	Full action loop via API handler
Multi-tab help	Summaries and context across tabs	Programmatic control and orchestration
Google apps	Works in Calendar/Docs/Drive (rolling out)	Integrate with Workspace via browser actions
Session handling	Keeps context as you browse	Sandboxed profile with managed auth
Custom tools	Uses built-in Chrome features	Combine with Playwright/Browserbase or your stack
Commerce	User approval for purchases	See Google’s agent payment protocol AP2 news (details)

FAQ

Is Gemini Agent available to everyone now?

Parts are live, parts are coming. Gemini in Chrome is rolling out. Agentic browsing features are coming, per Google’s announcement. Developers can build today with the Computer Use model.

Does it replace my extensions?

No. Think of it as a helpful driver in the browser. It can work alongside extensions and web apps you already use.

Can it log in and place orders?

Yes, with your consent. The Agent prototype can maintain sessions, and Chrome puts you in control of data sharing. Always review carts and totals before checkout.

What are the limits?

Some sites block automation or use CAPTCHAs. Pages can change. Always spot-check results. Google reminds users to verify answers on the Chrome AI page.

Where can I see a demo?

Try the Browserbase demo project and watch coverage of the model’s browsing skills on The Verge.

Next steps (pick one small task)

• Users: In Chrome, ask Gemini to summarize your current page. Then try a small action like “find a haircut slot after 4 pm.”
• Developers: Spin up a sandbox and run a minimal action loop using the Computer Use docs. If you prefer a shortcut, fork the Gemini CUA Browser demo.

You don’t have to automate everything. Start with one chore this week, learn from it, and level up from there.