Google iconGoogleSep 28, 2026 ~4 min source read

Ask: Gemini-powered chat assistance inside the Google Earth Engine Code Editor

Google adds an Ask panel to the Earth Engine Code Editor so users can generate, debug, explain, and optimize geospatial scripts using their Gemini API key without leaving the editor.

Introducing Ask, a new Google Earth Engine feature to accelerate geospatial coding

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Ask integrates Gemini models directly into the Earth Engine Code Editor to generate, explain, and optimize JavaScript scripts using workspace context.

It uses your active script, imported assets, geometries, and session chat history to produce context-aware responses and can insert code via a diff/merge workflow.

# What Ask is and why it matters

Ask is a new, right-side panel inside the Google Earth Engine (GEE) Code Editor that connects Gemini model capabilities to your active workspace. It aims to reduce friction when translating geospatial logic into Earth Engine scripts by producing and refining code, explaining existing scripts, troubleshooting errors, and suggesting query optimizations.

# How Ask uses your workspace context

# Core capabilities

  • Explain existing scripts: Paste or open a colleague's script and ask for a step-by-step explanation of the logic and Earth Engine functions used.
  • One-click troubleshooting: Console error messages now include a "Troubleshoot" button. Clicking it populates Ask with the error and a prompt to diagnose and suggest fixes.
  • Optimize queries: If your script is slow or hits resource errors like timeouts or too many aggregations, Ask can recommend concrete optimizations such as earlier filtering, reducing intermediate computations, or moving client-side loops to server-side operations.

# Model and search options

# How to get started

  1. In the Earth Engine Code Editor, open the Ask panel on the right, click the key icon, and enter your API key.
  2. Start a chat, ask for code generation, explanation, troubleshooting, or optimization. Use the Console's "Troubleshoot" button to forward error context automatically.

# Practical examples and workflows

  • Natural-language to code: "Load Sentinel-2 imagery for 2025 over Boulder, CO, apply a cloud mask, calculate NDVI, and add the median composite to the map." Ask returns a script you can insert or copy.
  • Explain and adapt: Provide a community example and ask "Explain what this script does" to get a stepwise breakdown.
  • Debug flow: Click "Troubleshoot" after an error to receive diagnosis and suggested fixes in the Ask panel.
  • Performance tuning: Ask for ways to avoid "computation timed out" or "too many concurrent aggregations" by restructuring the query.

# Availability and feedback

Ask is available globally. Google requests feedback via the Code Editor Feedback button to refine the feature.

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