TL;DR: Google has launched Anti-Gravity, a free VS Code-based IDE powered by its top-performing Gemini 3.
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📹 Watch the Complete Video Tutorial
📺 Title: Building Our First Website with Antigravity – A Complete Walkthrough
⏱️ Duration: 500
👤 Channel: Menlo Park Lab | AI with Misbah
🎯 Topic: Building Our First
💡 This comprehensive article is based on the tutorial above. Watch the video for visual demonstrations and detailed explanations.
Google has just launched Gemini 3.0—a groundbreaking AI model that dominates across all major benchmarks—and alongside it, a revolutionary new developer tool: Anti-Gravity. This free, cursor-style integrated development environment (IDE) harnesses the full coding power of Gemini to automate, enhance, and accelerate application development. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through every step of building our first animated landing page using Anti-Gravity, from installation to deployment, while uncovering its unique features like browser-integrated agents, automatic screenshot analysis, video recording feedback, and intelligent code generation.
Whether you’re familiar with tools like Cursor or Windsurf or are new to AI-assisted development, this article extracts every insight, tip, and technique from a real-world demo so you can replicate the process and maximize Anti-Gravity’s potential.
What Is Anti-Gravity and Why It Matters
Anti-Gravity is a free IDE built as a VS Code fork, designed specifically to integrate Google’s Gemini 3.0 AI model directly into the development workflow. Unlike paid alternatives such as Cursor and Windsurf, Anti-Gravity offers advanced AI coding capabilities at no cost—at least for now.
Its standout innovation lies in its multi-agent architecture, which includes background agents capable of interacting with live browsers, capturing screenshots, recording user interactions, and automatically refining code based on visual feedback—eliminating the need for manual error reporting.
Gemini 3.0: The Engine Behind Anti-Gravity
Gemini 3.0 isn’t just another language model—it’s currently the top-performing model across all standard benchmarks. When paired with Anti-Gravity, it enables intelligent code generation, real-time debugging, and full-stack application building with minimal human input. This synergy makes it possible to go from a simple text prompt to a fully functional, animated web application in minutes.
Downloading and Installing Anti-Gravity
To get started with building our first project, follow these installation steps:
- Visit the official Anti-Gravity download page.
- Select the version compatible with your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
- Download and install the application like any standard desktop software.
Once installed, launch Anti-Gravity. The setup process is intuitive and closely mirrors VS Code, making it easy for developers to adapt immediately.
Initial Setup and Customization Options
Upon first launch, Anti-Gravity presents several configuration choices:
Theme Selection
You can choose between light and dark themes. In the demo, the user selected dark mode for better visual comfort during extended coding sessions.
Working Mode Selection
Anti-Gravity offers three distinct operational modes, each suited to different development styles:
| Mode | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Agent-Driven | The AI agent writes nearly all code autonomously with minimal human intervention. | Experienced developers who trust AI to handle full implementation (similar to Bold or Lovable). |
| Agent-Assisted | Developers actively collaborate with the agent, making manual edits while receiving AI suggestions. | Intermediate users who want control but benefit from automation. |
| Review-Driven | Code is generated first, then reviewed and approved by the user before execution—similar to how Devon works. | Teams requiring strict code governance or learning environments. |
Terminal Execution & Review Policy
Anti-Gravity allows you to configure how terminal commands are handled:
- Terminal Execution: Decide whether the agent can run shell commands automatically.
- Review Policy: Choose “Request Review” to always require human approval before code changes are applied—a safety net for critical projects.
In the demo, the user accepted all defaults to explore baseline functionality.
Google Account Integration
Anti-Gravity requires you to sign in with a Google account to access Gemini 3.0’s full capabilities. This authentication step unlocks cloud-based AI processing, project syncing, and browser extension integration. Simply follow the on-screen prompt to log in during setup.
Navigating the Anti-Gravity Interface
The IDE closely resembles VS Code, with familiar panels:
- Explorer: View and manage project files (empty until you create a project).
- Search: Quickly find code across files.
- Chat Panel: Interact with the Gemini-powered agent using natural language.
- Agent Manager: Monitor and control background AI agents working on tasks independently.
This layout ensures a smooth transition for developers already comfortable with VS Code-based environments.
Creating Your First Project: Step-by-Step
To begin building our first application:
- Click “Open Folder” in the Explorer sidebar.
- Create a new folder (e.g.,
anti-gravity-test). - Select and open this folder within Anti-Gravity.
This establishes your project root directory, where all generated files will be saved.
Defining the Project Goal: Animated Landing Page
The demo user specified a clear objective: build a landing page for Menopark Labs featuring a scroll-triggered animation that visualizes the growth of a plant—from seed to full bloom—as the user scrolls down.
Critically, the user explicitly requested a Next.js app to avoid ambiguity. Without framework specification, the AI might default to an unintended stack, leading to compatibility issues later.
Launching the AI Agent and Task Planning
After entering the prompt in the chat panel, the agent initiates a structured workflow:
- Information Gathering: The agent asks clarifying questions if needed (though in this case, the prompt was sufficiently detailed).
- Task List Generation: A dynamic checklist appears in the chat, outlining all subtasks (e.g., “Initialize project,” “Generate assets,” “Implement scroll animation”).
- Progress Tracking: Each task is marked as “In Progress” or “Completed” in real time.
This mirrors professional project management and ensures transparency in the AI’s workflow.
Code Generation and Asset Creation
One of Anti-Gravity’s most impressive features is its ability to generate visual assets on the fly. For the plant-growth animation, the agent:
- Created multiple staged images representing seed, sprout, sapling, and mature plant.
- Embedded these images into the React/Next.js component logic.
- Linked scroll position to image transitions to simulate growth.
When the agent prepared to run terminal commands (e.g., npx create-next-app), it asked for user permission—demonstrating responsible automation.
Monitoring Agent Activity and Code Changes
Developers can track progress in two ways:
- Direct File View: Open any generated file in the main editor to inspect or edit code.
- Agent Panel: Review logs, command outputs, and task status in the dedicated Agent Manager section.
Changes appear as artifacts in the chat, and you can click any to comment or request modifications—enabling iterative refinement without leaving the conversation.
Running and Previewing the Application
Once code generation completed, the agent attempted to build and launch the app. However, the initial preview didn’t open automatically. The user then typed:
“Let’s run it.”
In response, Anti-Gravity:
- Executed the necessary dev server command (e.g.,
npm run dev). - Provided a “Preview in Browser” option.
- Launched a new browser window with the Anti-Gravity Chrome extension pre-installed.
Browser Integration: The Game-Changing Feature
Anti-Gravity’s browser agent is a breakthrough in AI-assisted development. Once the extension is installed:
- The agent gains full access to the browser tab hosting your app.
- It can scroll, click, navigate, and interact with your UI autonomously.
- It captures screenshots and records video of user flows.
- These visuals are sent back to Gemini 3.0 for automated UI analysis and bug detection.
This eliminates the old workflow of manually taking screenshots and describing issues—now the AI sees exactly what you see.
Troubleshooting Failed Animations
In the demo, the initial Next.js implementation failed to display the scroll animation. The user observed:
- No visual transition as they scrolled.
- The recorded playback confirmed the animation was missing.
Instead of debugging complex Next.js hydration or CSS issues, the user issued a simple command:
“Change the Next.js app to Vite.”
Anti-Gravity instantly regenerated the entire project using Vite + React—a lighter, faster framework better suited for client-side animations.
Successful Outcome with Vite
The Vite-based version worked flawlessly:
- Smooth scroll-triggered animation showing plant growth stages.
- Text content on the left synchronized with visual progression.
- Clean, responsive layout matching the original vision.
This highlights a key insight: framework choice matters, and Anti-Gravity’s flexibility allows rapid iteration when one stack underperforms.
Comparison: Anti-Gravity vs. Google AI Studio
The user tested the same prompt (“Create a landing page with seed-to-plant scroll animation”) in Google AI Studio using Gemini 3.0:
| Platform | Output Approach | Result Quality |
|---|---|---|
| Anti-Gravity | Generated static images for each growth stage and implemented scroll logic in Next.js (later Vite). | Functional but initially flawed due to framework limitations. |
| Google AI Studio | Produced a pure CSS/JavaScript animation without image assets—smooth, code-only transition. | More elegant and aligned with the user’s original intent. |
This shows that while Anti-Gravity excels at full-project scaffolding, AI Studio may offer more refined UI code for specific components.
Reviewing Browser Recordings and Visual Feedback
Anti-Gravity saves every browser session as a playable recording. You can:
- Replay interactions to verify functionality.
- Inspect captured screenshots for layout or rendering issues.
- Use these artifacts as context when requesting fixes (“The button is cut off in this screenshot”).
This creates a closed-loop development cycle: build → test → observe → improve—all within the IDE.
Key Advantages Over Cursor and Windsurf
Compared to leading AI IDEs, Anti-Gravity stands out in three critical areas:
- Cost: Completely free at launch, while Cursor and Windsurf require paid subscriptions.
- Browser Agent: Native integration with live browser interaction—unmatched by competitors.
- Google Ecosystem: Seamless access to Gemini 3.0, Chrome extension, and potential future integrations with Firebase, Cloud, etc.
Importing Settings from Other IDEs
Anti-Gravity supports importing configurations from Cursor and Windsurf, recognizing that these are all VS Code forks. This allows you to migrate keybindings, themes, and extensions effortlessly—though the demo user opted for a fresh setup to avoid conflicts.
Best Practices for Prompt Engineering in Anti-Gravity
To maximize success when building our first app:
- Specify the framework (e.g., “Build a Vite React app”) to prevent stack ambiguity.
- Describe UI behavior precisely (e.g., “Animate plant growth as user scrolls from top to bottom”).
- Use iterative feedback: If the result isn’t perfect, say “The animation isn’t working—switch to Vite” instead of starting over.
Understanding Agent Execution Modes in Practice
The demo clarified how each mode functions:
- Planning Mode: Agent creates a detailed plan before coding—ideal for complex apps.
- Fast Planning: Lightweight planning for medium tasks with collaborative execution.
- Fast Mode: Direct code generation for simple requests (e.g., “Add a login button”).
Choosing the right mode prevents over-engineering for small tasks or under-planning for large ones.
Future Applications and Scalability
While the demo focused on a landing page, Anti-Gravity is capable of building full-stack applications—including APIs, databases, authentication, and deployment scripts. Its agent architecture scales to multi-file, multi-language projects, making it suitable for MVPs, prototypes, and even production systems.
Summary: Key Takeaways for Developers
- Anti-Gravity is a free, Gemini 3.0-powered IDE that outperforms paid alternatives in browser integration.
- Always specify your framework (Vite, Next.js, etc.) to avoid compatibility issues.
- Use the browser agent to automate visual testing—no more manual bug reports.
- If animations or UI elements fail, switch frameworks (e.g., from Next.js to Vite) for faster resolution.
- Leverage recordings and screenshots as direct feedback for the AI agent.
Getting Started Checklist
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Download Anti-Gravity for your OS |
| 2 | Sign in with Google |
| 3 | Select “Agent-Assisted” mode for balance |
| 4 | Create a new project folder |
| 5 | Write a clear prompt with framework + behavior specs |
| 6 | Review task list and approve terminal commands |
| 7 | Use “Preview in Browser” to launch with extension |
| 8 | Inspect recordings if UI doesn’t match expectations |
| 9 | Iterate with simple commands (“Switch to Vite”) |
Final Thoughts: The Future of AI-Powered Development
Anti-Gravity represents a paradigm shift in software engineering. By combining Gemini 3.0’s reasoning power with real-world browser interaction, it closes the loop between code generation and visual validation. For developers building our first AI-assisted project, this tool offers unprecedented speed, insight, and autonomy—all at zero cost.
As Google continues to refine this ecosystem, expect deeper integrations with deployment platforms, testing suites, and collaborative workflows. But even today, Anti-Gravity empowers you to turn ideas into animated, interactive web experiences faster than ever before.
Ready to Build Your First App?
Download Anti-Gravity, sign in with your Google account, and try the exact prompt from this guide: “Create a Vite React landing page for Menopark Labs with a scroll-triggered animation showing plant growth from seed to full bloom.” You’ll be amazed at how quickly your vision comes to life—with an AI agent watching, testing, and improving every pixel alongside you.
