Google Opal: Vibe-Coding Tool Now Available in Gemini

Opal Integration Expands Gemini's Capabilities

Google is extending the functionality of its Opal tool to the Gemini platform. The company announced on Wednesday the incorporation of this tool, which facilitates the development of AI-driven mini applications, directly within the Gemini web application.

This integration empowers users to design personalized applications, referred to by Google as Gems.

Introducing Gems and Opal

Gems, launched in 2024, represent tailored iterations of Gemini, optimized for particular tasks or use cases. Google currently provides several pre-built Gems.

These include resources such as a personalized learning coach, a collaborative brainstorming assistant, a professional career advisor, a coding companion, and a writing editor.

Opal, conversely, centers on assisting users in constructing these mini-apps or combining pre-existing ones.

How Opal Works

Users articulate their desired application in plain language, and the tool leverages various Gemini models to generate it. The process requires no traditional coding expertise.

Currently, Opal is accessible directly from Gemini via the web interface, located within the Gems manager.

Visual Editor and Advanced Options

The tool features a visual editor that outlines the necessary steps for application creation. Users can easily rearrange these steps and establish connections between them, all without writing any code.

A new view within Gemini transforms user-provided prompts into a structured list of steps, further simplifying the app-building process and enhancing understanding of its functionality.

For users seeking more granular control, a transition to the Advanced Editor at opal.google.com is available. Once created, these mini applications can be reused as needed.

The Rise of Vibe-Coding

The technique of utilizing AI for programming and application development – often termed “vibe-coding” – has experienced significant growth in recent years.

The market now includes applications from companies like Lovable and Cursor, alongside solutions offered by AI providers such as Anthropic and OpenAI.

Furthermore, consumer-focused tools are emerging from startups like Wabi, specializing in AI-powered app creation.