Code Cushman 001 vs Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image)
Code Cushman 001 (2021) and Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image) (2026) compare a coding-specialized model against a standalone API model. Code Cushman 001 ships a not-yet-sourced context window, while Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image) ships a 131k-token context window. This page treats the result as workflow and deployment fit, not a universal model winner.
Treat this as a product-type comparison: Code Cushman 001 is coding-specialized model, while Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image) is standalone API model. Choose based on workflow fit before reading any benchmark or price row as decisive.
Decision scorecard
Local evidence first| Signal | Code Cushman 001 | Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image) |
|---|---|---|
| Product type | Coding-specialized model | Standalone API model |
| Best for | custom coding agents and code generation | reasoning-heavy apps and multimodal apps |
| Decision fit | Coding | Long context and Vision |
| Context window | — | 131k |
| Cheapest output | - | $60/1M tokens |
| Provider routes | 0 tracked | 1 tracked |
| Shared benchmarks | 0 rows | 0 rows |
Decision tradeoffs
- Local decision data tags Code Cushman 001 for Coding.
- Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image) has the larger context window for long prompts, retrieval packs, or transcript analysis.
- Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image) has broader tracked provider coverage for fallback and procurement flexibility.
- Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image) uniquely exposes Vision, Multimodal, and Reasoning in local model data.
- Local decision data tags Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image) for Long context and Vision.
Monthly cost at traffic
Estimate token spend from the cheapest tracked input and output route or tier on this page.
Code Cushman 001
Unavailable
No complete token price in local provider data
Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image)
$15,400
Cheapest tracked route/tier: Google AI Studio
Cost delta unavailable until both models have sourced input and output token prices.
Switch friction
- No overlapping tracked provider route is sourced for Code Cushman 001 and Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image); plan for SDK, billing, or endpoint changes.
- Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image) adds Vision, Multimodal, and Reasoning in local capability data.
- No overlapping tracked provider route is sourced for Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image) and Code Cushman 001; plan for SDK, billing, or endpoint changes.
- Check replacement coverage for Vision, Multimodal, and Reasoning before moving production traffic.
Specs
| Specification | ||
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2021-11-03 | 2026-05-28 |
| Context window | — | 131k |
| Parameters | — | — |
| Architecture | decoder only | decoder only |
| License | Proprietary | Proprietary |
| Knowledge cutoff | - | 2025-01 |
Pricing and availability
| Pricing attribute | Code Cushman 001 | Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image) |
|---|---|---|
| Input price | - | $0.50/1M tokens |
| Output price | - | $60/1M tokens |
| Providers | - |
Capabilities
| Capability | Code Cushman 001 | Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image) |
|---|---|---|
| Vision | No | Yes |
| Multimodal | No | Yes |
| Reasoning | No | Yes |
| Function calling | No | No |
| Tool use | No | No |
| Structured outputs | No | No |
| Code execution | No | No |
| IDE integration | No | No |
| Computer use | No | No |
| Parallel agents | No | No |
Benchmarks
No shared benchmark rows are currently sourced for this pair.
Deep dive
The capability footprint differs most on vision: Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image), multimodal input: Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image), and reasoning mode: Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image). Both models share the core language-model surface, so the practical split is not just feature count. Use those differences to decide whether the page is about raw model quality, agentic coding support, multimodal ingestion, or predictable structured API behavior.
Pricing coverage is uneven: Code Cushman 001 has no token price sourced yet and Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image) has $0.50/1M input tokens. Provider availability is 0 tracked routes versus 1. Treat unknown pricing as an integration gap, then verify the route you will actually call before estimating production spend.
Choose Code Cushman 001 when coding workflow support are central to the workload. Choose Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image) when reasoning depth and broader provider choice are more important. For production, rerun your own prompts through the exact provider, region, and tool stack you plan to ship. This keeps the decision grounded in measurable tradeoffs instead of brand-level assumptions.
FAQ
Is Code Cushman 001 or Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image) open source?
Code Cushman 001 is listed under Proprietary. Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image) is listed under Proprietary. License labels affect whether you can self-host, redistribute weights, or rely only on hosted APIs, so confirm the upstream license before deployment.
Which is better for vision, Code Cushman 001 or Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image)?
Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image) has the clearer documented vision signal in this comparison. If vision is mission-critical, validate it against the provider endpoint because model-level support and API-level exposure can differ.
Which is better for multimodal input, Code Cushman 001 or Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image)?
Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image) has the clearer documented multimodal input signal in this comparison. If multimodal input is mission-critical, validate it against the provider endpoint because model-level support and API-level exposure can differ.
Which is better for reasoning mode, Code Cushman 001 or Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image)?
Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image) has the clearer documented reasoning mode signal in this comparison. If reasoning mode is mission-critical, validate it against the provider endpoint because model-level support and API-level exposure can differ.
Where can I run Code Cushman 001 and Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image)?
Code Cushman 001 is available on the tracked providers still being sourced. Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image) is available on Google AI Studio. Provider coverage can affect latency, region availability, compliance posture, and fallback options.
When should I pick Code Cushman 001 over Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image)?
Treat this as a product-type comparison: Code Cushman 001 is coding-specialized model, while Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image) is standalone API model. Choose based on workflow fit before reading any benchmark or price row as decisive. If your workload also depends on coding workflow support, start with Code Cushman 001; if it depends on reasoning depth, run the same evaluation with Nano Banana 2 (Gemini 3.1 Flash Image).
Continue comparing
Last reviewed: 2026-05-31. Data sourced from public model cards and provider documentation.