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Master Google Antigravity: 6 Features That Turn You Into a 10x Developer [2026 Guide]

11 min readIndieRadar Team
Master Google Antigravity: 6 Features That Turn You Into a 10x Developer [2026 Guide]
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Most people use Google Antigravity like it's ChatGPT with a code editor attached.

Type prompt. Wait. Type another prompt. Wait some more.

That's leaving 85% of its power on the table. Antigravity isn't just another AI coding assistant — it's an AI engineering team you can orchestrate. And right now, while Google burns cash to dominate the market, it's completely free.

Here are the 6 features that separate the pros from the hobbyists.

TL;DR

  • Agent Manager — Run multiple AI agents in parallel like a dev team
  • Three Model Strategy — Match the right AI model to each task (Gemini for design, Claude for backend)
  • Artifacts System — Review and annotate AI plans before execution
  • Browser Automation — AI tests your app automatically in a real browser
  • Custom Workflows — Save prompts as slash commands for instant reuse
  • View Policy Settings — Toggle between full control and autopilot mode

Let's break each one down.


1. Agent Manager: Your Mission Control

Think of the Agent Manager as an inbox for AI agents. Instead of one agent doing everything sequentially, you can spawn multiple agents working on different parts of your project simultaneously.

This is the single biggest unlock in Antigravity.

How It Works

The Agent Manager operates in three stages:

Stage 1: Planning

When you start a new agent in "planning mode," it doesn't write code immediately. Instead, it:

  • Researches best practices
  • Maps out the architecture
  • Creates a structured implementation plan

This plan appears as an artifact you can review before any code gets written.

Stage 2: Approval

Here's where you take control. The implementation plan shows you:

  • Project structure
  • Components needed
  • Data models
  • API endpoints

You can leave inline comments (like Google Docs) to adjust anything. Don't like the styling approach? Add a comment: "Use Tailwind CSS instead of plain CSS." When you approve, the agent incorporates your feedback.

Stage 3: Parallel Execution

Now the magic happens. Instead of waiting for one agent to finish everything, you spawn additional agents for different tasks.

For example, if you're building a CRM:

  • Agent 1 handles the overall project structure
  • Agent 2 builds the contact management frontend
  • Agent 3 sets up the backend API
  • Agent 4 builds the deals pipeline interface

All four agents work in real-time. The inbox shows their progress with checkpoints, so you know exactly where each agent is.

Pro Tip

Start with planning mode for the initial architecture. Then spawn specialized agents for each feature. You're not micromanaging — you're orchestrating.


2. The Three Model Strategy

Antigravity gives you access to three AI powerhouses:

  • Gemini 3 Pro
  • Claude Opus 4.6

Most people stick with the default for everything. That's a mistake.

Each model has a superpower. Match the right model to the right task, and your output quality skyrockets.

When to Use Each Model

Gemini 3 Pro → The Design Expert

Use Gemini for anything visual:

  • UI layouts
  • Component styling
  • Frontend design
  • Clean HTML/CSS/JavaScript structures

Gemini excels at creating polished interfaces with proper spacing, colors, and component architecture. If you're building a dashboard, a landing page, or any user-facing interface — this is your model.

Claude Opus 4.6 → The Backend Architect

Switch to Claude for:

  • Complex business logic
  • API design
  • Code refactoring
  • System architecture
  • Database schemas

Claude handles intricate backend problems better than the others. When you need to think through dependencies, edge cases, and data flows — Claude is your pick.

How to Switch Models

In the editor viewer, you'll see a dropdown in the bottom right corner. That's where you select your model. Swap freely based on what you're building in that moment.

Example workflow: Start with Gemini to design your frontend components. Switch to Claude when you need to set up the backend API logic.


3. The Artifacts System: Proof of Work

Instead of dumping code into a chat window and hoping for the best, Antigravity creates structured artifacts.

These are living documents:

  • Implementation plans
  • Task lists
  • Walkthroughs
  • Screenshots

Why This Matters

Artifacts let you review and approve before execution. You're not hoping the AI does the right thing — you're confirming it will.

The inline comment feature is huge. Just like Google Docs, you can click on any line in the artifact and leave feedback. The AI adjusts on the fly.

Example

Let's say the agent creates an implementation plan for your app. You see the project structure, component breakdown, and styling approach.

Something looks off — maybe the agent wants to use Redux when you prefer Zustand for state management. Click on that line, leave a comment: "Use Zustand instead of Redux for state."

When the agent proceeds, it incorporates that change automatically.

This is the human-in-the-loop approach. You're guiding the AI to get the best results without micromanaging every line of code.

Want more tactics like this? We send daily playbooks to 10,000+ indie hackers building with AI. Join IndieRadar — it's free.


4. Browser Automation: Self-Testing Apps

This is where Antigravity gets scary good.

It can spawn a real Chrome browser, open your app, click buttons, fill out forms, and test everything automatically.

Your apps become self-testing and self-healing.

How It Works

Let's say you've built a contact form. Instead of manually clicking through to verify it works, you tell Antigravity:

"Open this in localhost and test the contact form. Make sure I can add a new contact and verify it displays in the contact list."

A Chrome window opens automatically. The AI — not you — clicks through the interface, fills out the form, submits it, and checks if the data appears correctly.

If something breaks, it flags the issue and suggests fixes.

Why This Is Powerful

Manual testing is tedious. It's also easy to miss edge cases when you're deep in the code.

Browser automation means:

  • Faster feedback loops
  • Catches bugs you might overlook
  • Tests user flows end-to-end
  • Verifies functionality after every change

For indie hackers shipping fast, this is a massive time saver. You don't need to write complex test suites — the AI handles the verification.


5. Custom Workflows: Your Personal Playbook

Custom workflows are saved prompts or slash commands you can reuse across any project.

Think of them as codified best practices.

The Problem They Solve

You've probably written the same debugging instructions, code review templates, or refactoring guidelines multiple times. Every time you start a new session, you're rewriting context.

Custom workflows eliminate that repetition.

How to Create a Workflow

  1. Click the three dots in the top menu
  2. Go to Customizations
  3. Create a new workflow (e.g., "debug-issues")
  4. Paste in your framework or prompt

Now whenever you need that workflow, just type /debug (or whatever you named it), and the entire framework applies instantly.

Example: A Debugging Workflow

Save a systematic debugging approach:

  1. Check form validation
  2. Inspect API endpoint
  3. Review database schema
  4. Identify the root cause
  5. Fix without introducing new bugs

When your contact form isn't saving phone numbers correctly, you type:

/debug the contact form isn't saving phone numbers

The agent follows your systematic workflow — checking validation, inspecting the API, viewing the schema — instead of guessing randomly.

Building Your Library

Start with workflows for:

  • Debugging
  • Code reviews
  • Refactoring patterns
  • Project setup
  • Deployment checklists

Build once, use forever. This is how you scale your expertise.


6. View Policy Settings: Control vs. Speed

This setting is simple but crucial.

You have three options:

SettingWhat It Does
Always ProceedAgent makes all decisions automatically
Agent DecidesAgent chooses when to ask for approval
Always AskYou review every single action

The Trade-off

  • More control = slower but safer
  • Less control = faster but riskier

For critical architecture decisions, use "Always Ask." You want to review the foundation before the agent builds on top of it.

For prototyping or trusted tasks, switch to "Always Proceed." The agent moves at full speed without interrupting you.

The "Agent Decides" Trap

Most people default to "Agent Decides." The problem? The agent almost never asks for approval. It just proceeds anyway.

This gives you the illusion of control without the actual safety checks.

Recommendation

When learning Antigravity: Start with "Always Ask." Understand how the AI thinks, what decisions it makes, and how it structures projects.

Once you trust the patterns: Switch to "Always Proceed" for speed. You'll know when something looks off because you've seen the right patterns before.

You can find this setting in the Agent Manager under Preferences.


Putting It All Together

Here's a workflow that combines all six features:

  1. Open Agent Manager and start your first agent in planning mode
  2. Let it research and create an implementation plan (Artifact)
  3. Review the plan, leave inline comments for adjustments
  4. Approve and let it set up the foundation
  5. Spawn additional agents for parallel feature development
  6. Switch models based on task (Gemini for UI, Claude for backend)
  7. Use browser automation to test features as they're built
  8. Save useful prompts as custom workflows for next time
  9. Adjust view policy based on how critical the current phase is

This isn't working with an AI assistant anymore. This is orchestrating an engineering team.


What Makes Antigravity Different

You might be wondering how this compares to other AI coding tools.

Cursor and Claude Code are excellent. But they're primarily single-agent experiences. You chat, you get code, you iterate.

Antigravity's edge:

  • Parallel agents — Multiple AI engineers working simultaneously
  • Multi-model access — Gemini and Claude built in, switch freely
  • Artifacts system — Review plans before execution
  • Browser automation — Built-in testing without external tools
  • Free (for now) — Google is subsidizing the costs

Will it stay free forever? Unlikely. But right now, you can ship faster than ever at zero cost.


Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Using one agent for everything

You're leaving speed on the table. Spawn parallel agents for independent features.

Mistake 2: Skipping planning mode

Diving straight into code feels faster. It's not. Planning mode catches architectural issues before they become expensive rewrites.

Mistake 3: Using the wrong model

Gemini for backend logic = mediocre results. Claude for quick UI tweaks = overkill. Match the model to the task.

Mistake 4: Ignoring artifacts

Artifacts exist for a reason. Review them, annotate them, guide the AI. You'll catch issues before they compound.

Mistake 5: Staying on "Agent Decides"

Either take full control or let it fly. The middle ground gives you neither safety nor speed.


FAQ

Is Google Antigravity actually free?

Yes, currently. Google is investing heavily to capture market share. This won't last forever, so take advantage while you can.

Do I need to know how to code to use Antigravity?

Basic coding knowledge helps you review the AI's output and catch mistakes. But Antigravity can handle most implementation details if you understand what you want to build.

How does Antigravity compare to Cursor?

Cursor is a fantastic single-agent experience. Antigravity's advantage is parallel agent orchestration and built-in multi-model access. For complex projects, the parallel workflow is significantly faster.

Can I use Antigravity for production apps?

Yes. The browser automation helps catch bugs, and the artifacts system ensures you're reviewing architecture before it's built. Just don't blindly trust any AI — always verify critical logic.

What's the learning curve like?

If you've used any AI coding tool, you'll be productive in Antigravity within an hour. The Agent Manager takes a bit more exploration, but the payoff is massive.


Start Shipping Faster

Google Antigravity isn't just another AI assistant. It's a force multiplier.

The Agent Manager lets you orchestrate multiple AI engineers. The three-model strategy matches the right brain to the right problem. Artifacts keep you in control. Browser automation handles testing. Custom workflows scale your expertise. And the view policy lets you toggle between oversight and speed.

Master these six features, and you'll ship faster than teams twice your size.

That's it. If you're serious about building and shipping, we send stuff like this daily. Join IndieRadar — it's free.

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