Gemini Can Now Build You Custom Mini Apps with This Experimental Gem: Opal’s Seamless Integration
On December 17, 2025, Google unveiled a game-changing update that brings the power of Opal, its acclaimed vibe-coding tool, directly into the Gemini web app as an experimental Gem. This integration allows users to effortlessly create, remix, and deploy custom AI-powered mini apps—reusable Gems that extend Gemini’s capabilities far beyond simple conversations. No coding expertise required; just natural language descriptions and an intuitive visual editor transform ideas into functional, interactive experiences.
Gemini, already a leader in multimodal AI with hundreds of millions of users, now evolves into a no-code creation platform. The experimental Gem, powered by Opal’s technology, enables anyone to build personalized tools for productivity, creativity, education, and entertainment. From interactive quizzes to automated planners, these mini apps leverage Gemini’s advanced reasoning while offering visual interfaces and persistent workflows.
This development stems from Opal’s origins as a Google Labs experiment launched in July 2025, where it popularized “vibe-coding”—describing app behavior in casual, expressive terms. By embedding Opal in Gemini’s Gems manager, Google bridges ideation and execution, making advanced AI app building accessible to all.
The Rise of Gems and Opal’s Role
Gems, introduced in 2024, are customized versions of Gemini tailored for specific roles—like learning coaches or coding assistants. Pre-built Gems provide instant value, but the true innovation lies in user-created ones.
Opal elevates this by enabling mini apps: structured workflows with visual layouts, dynamic views, and multi-step logic. Unlike ad-hoc chats, these Gems persist, handle inputs gracefully, and integrate tools seamlessly.
The experimental Gem appears in the Gems manager as “Gems from Labs” or directly via Opal prompts. Users access pre-made examples—crafted by Google Labs—for inspiration, then remix or build anew.
A new “step breakdown view” converts prompts into editable lists, enhancing transparency. For power users, seamless handover to opal.google’s Advanced Editor offers granular control.
Vibe-Coding Demystified: Building Mini Apps Step by Step
Vibe-coding captures an app’s essence through descriptive language, letting AI orchestrate the rest.
Process in Gemini:
- Access the Feature: In gemini.google.com, open sidebar > Gems manager. Look for Opal or “Create with Labs.”
- Describe Your Vibe: Prompt like “A daily wellness tracker with a serene spa vibe—log mood, suggest meditations, track habits.”
- AI Generation: Gemini builds the workflow—steps as nodes or lists.
- Visual Editing: Drag/rearrange, add conditionals, integrate models (text, image, etc.).
- Test and Iterate: Simulate interactions within Gemini.
- Save and Share: Deploy as a reusable Gem; share links for collaboration.
Examples from Labs include interactive storytellers, recipe adapters, or quiz generators—remixable foundations.
Advanced features: Full-screen modes, voice input, public publishing.
Opal Mini App Builder Added to Gemini Web
Real-World Applications: Unleashing Creativity
The experimental Gem shines in diverse scenarios:
- Education: Custom tutors with adaptive quizzes and visual explanations.
- Productivity: Workflow automators for task management or content planning.
- Entertainment: Interactive games or personalized story engines.
- Creative Tools: Mood-based art generators or music remixers.
Users report rapid prototyping—ideas to functional mini apps in minutes—fostering experimentation without technical barriers.
Technical Underpinnings and Enhancements
Opal harnesses Gemini 3 models for reasoning, ensuring robust handling of complexity. New views improve editability; hosting is managed, eliminating deployment hassles.
Limitations: Web-only initially, experimental status means potential changes; activity separate from Gemini Apps for privacy.
Broader Ecosystem Impact
This positions Gemini against rivals like ChatGPT’s custom GPTs or Claude’s projects, with advantages in visual dynamism and Google integration (e.g., future Workspace ties).
For developers, it previews agentic AI; for casual users, it democratizes creation.
Conclusion: Step Into Custom AI Creation
Gemini’s experimental Gem, infused with Opal, heralds a new chapter where building custom mini apps is as simple as chatting. This fusion of vibe-coding and Gemini’s intelligence empowers boundless personalization.
Visit gemini.google.com, explore the Gems manager, and craft your first mini app today. The future of AI isn’t just assistance—it’s co-creation.
