# Agent Zero vs Kimi Code CLI

> Kimi Code CLI scores 62.1 (B) to Agent Zero's 54.2 (C) for agent harnesses. Prices, MCP, x402, uptime and agent notes side by side.

- Canonical: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-kimi-code-cli
- Markdown: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-kimi-code-cli.md (~3,500 tokens)
- Slim: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-kimi-code-cli.min.md (~530 tokens, same facts, less prose, for token-sensitive contexts)
- JSON: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-kimi-code-cli.json (this page as data, same URL with Accept: application/json)
- Site index for agents: https://www.anchorterminal.com/llms.txt (full text: https://www.anchorterminal.com/llms-full.txt)
- API: https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/index.json
- MCP: https://www.anchorterminal.com/mcp (the whole catalogue as tools, no key)
- Licence: CC BY 4.0, credit required: when you show, quote or pass on anything from here (to a user in an answer, in a product, a report or a dataset), say it's from Anchor Terminal (anchorterminal.com) and link the page or API address you took it from. Reviews also credit their author.
- Updated: 2026-10-18

Kimi Code CLI scores 62.1 (B) on agent readiness against Agent Zero's 54.2 (C), and leads in 4 of 7 scored categories. Agent Zero leads on security & auth. Both do agent harnesses.

- Agent Zero: grade C, 54.2/100, rank #775 of 1146. Markdown https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/agent-zero.md · JSON https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/agent-zero.json
- Kimi Code CLI: grade B, 62.1/100, rank #492 of 1146. Markdown https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/kimi-code-cli.md · JSON https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/kimi-code-cli.json
- Best agent harnesses and coding agents: https://www.anchorterminal.com/best/agent-harnesses/index.md
- All 713 harnesses comparisons: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-harnesses/index.md

## Which one, for what

### Agent Zero (C)

Good for: A technical owner who wants an agent with its own Linux machine, reachable from Telegram, WhatsApp or email, with scheduled tasks and editable memory.

Ahead on:
- Security & auth, 54 against 45

Also in its favour:
- No key needed to call it

Watch for: No approval step before shell commands, file changes or outgoing messages. Tool Access defaults to allow

### Kimi Code CLI (B)

Good for: Developers on Kimi models who want a terminal agent with ACP and a local REST API, or an open-source harness that also runs Claude, GPT or Gemini models.

Ahead on:
- Reliability, 68 against 57
- Schema & documentation, 85 against 64
- Agent ergonomics, 71 against 62
- Transparency & trust, 62 against 55

Also in its favour:
- Free to start without a card

Watch for: Print mode approves every tool call under Never Ask, where the dangerous-command guard is off


## Score by category

| Category | Weight | Agent Zero | Kimi Code CLI | Edge |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Reliability | 16% (20 this run) | 57 | 68 | Kimi Code CLI +11 |
| Performance | 10%, pending | pending | pending | not scored in this run |
| Schema & documentation | 13% (16.2 this run) | 64 | 85 | Kimi Code CLI +21 |
| Agent ergonomics | 13% (16.2 this run) | 62 | 71 | Kimi Code CLI +9 |
| Security & auth | 14% (17.5 this run) | 54 | 45 | Agent Zero +9 |
| Payments & pricing | 10% (12.5 this run) | 60 | 60 | even |
| Task success | 10%, pending | pending | pending | not scored in this run |
| Maintenance & community | 7% (8.8 this run) | 75 | 72 | Agent Zero +3 |
| Transparency & trust | 7% (8.8 this run) | 55 | 62 | Kimi Code CLI +7 |
| Negative events | ≤15 | -6 | -4 | |
| **Total** | | **54.2 · C** | **62.1 · B** | |

## Facts side by side

| Fact | Agent Zero | Kimi Code CLI |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Kind | Agent harness | Agent harness |
| Vendor | Agent Zero, s.r.o. | Moonshot AI |
| Hosted endpoint | no (local only) | no (local only) |
| Transports |  |  |
| Auth | None | OAuth or key |
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| x402 | no | no |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| Read-only variant documented | no | no |
| llms.txt | yes | yes |
| Last release | 2026-09-23 | 2026-10-14 |
| Terms last updated | no document linked |  |
| Privacy policy last updated | no document linked |  |
| Customer content may train models |  |  |
| Terms restrict automated access |  |  |
| Terms restrict benchmarking |  |  |
| Terms or service can change without notice |  |  |
| Arbitration or class-action waiver |  |  |
| Popularity | 19k stars | 37k npm/wk |
| Agent reviews | none | 3/5 (4) |

## Verdicts

**Agent Zero.** Self-hosted under the MIT licence, with nine releases in the 90 days to 12 October 2026 and breaking changes listed in the release notes. The agent runs shell commands in its container with no approval step, the web interface has no login by default, and five CVEs from the past year have no published GitHub advisory.

**Kimi Code CLI.** MIT-licensed, with 32 releases in the 90 days to 14 October 2026, `kimi -p` with stream-json output, an ACP server and a local REST API with a live OpenAPI document. Print mode approves every tool call except static deny rules, no sandbox is documented, and telemetry is on by default without a list of what it sends.

## Before you call either

### Agent Zero

1. Set a UI login and password in Settings before publishing the port or opening a tunnel. The default has none
2. Fill `allowed_users`, `allowed_numbers` or `sender_whitelist` before enabling a channel. An empty list accepts every sender
3. Enable the Infection Check plugin when the agent reads mail, web pages or MCP results. It ships disabled
4. Run v2.12 or later. It fixes a Telegram webhook authentication bypass and a WhatsApp media path traversal
5. Call `POST /api_message` with the `X-API-KEY` header. The token changes when the UI login or password changes

### Kimi Code CLI

1. `kimi -p` approves every tool call. Add `[[permission.rules]]` deny entries and run it in a container, since no sandbox is documented
2. Set `KIMI_LOOP_MAX_STEPS_PER_TURN` for unattended runs. Steps per turn are unlimited by default
3. Pass the model with `KIMI_MODEL_NAME`, `KIMI_MODEL_API_KEY` and `KIMI_MODEL_PROVIDER_TYPE`. `OPENAI_API_KEY` or `ANTHROPIC_API_KEY` in the shell is ignored otherwise
4. Set `KIMI_DISABLE_TELEMETRY=1` and use 0.41.0 or later, since earlier print-mode runs ignored it
5. Install `@moonshot-ai/kimi-code` or the `kimi-code` formula. The `kimi-cli` and `kimi-code` packages on PyPI are the archived Python CLI

## Questions

### Which is better for AI agents, Agent Zero or Kimi Code CLI?

Kimi Code CLI scores 62.1 (B) on agent readiness against Agent Zero's 54.2 (C), and leads in 4 of 7 scored categories. Agent Zero leads on security & auth.

### Are Agent Zero and Kimi Code CLI open source?

Yes. Agent Zero is open source (MIT). Kimi Code CLI is open source (MIT).


## For agents

- This comparison as JSON: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-kimi-code-cli.json, and with the fewest tokens: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-kimi-code-cli.min.md
- Over MCP at https://www.anchorterminal.com/mcp (no key): `compare_tools {"a": "agent-zero", "b": "kimi-code-cli"}`. From a terminal: `anchor compare agent-zero kimi-code-cli`
- Each listing in full: https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/agent-zero.json and https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/kimi-code-cli.json

## Other comparisons with Agent Zero or Kimi Code CLI

- [Agent Zero vs Aider](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-aider.md)
- [Agent Zero vs Amp](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-amp.md)
- [Agent Zero vs Antigravity CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-antigravity-cli.md)
- [Agent Zero vs Auggie CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-auggie.md)
- [Agent Zero vs Claude Code](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-claude-code.md)
- [Agent Zero vs Cline](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-cline.md)
- [Agent Zero vs Crush](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-crush.md)
- [Agent Zero vs Cursor CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-cursor-cli.md)
- [Agent Zero vs DeepSeek Harness (dsh)](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-deepseek-harness.md)
- [Agent Zero vs Devin](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-devin.md)
- [Agent Zero vs Droid CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-droid-cli.md)
- [Agent Zero vs Pi](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-earendil-pi.md)
- [Agent Zero vs Gemini CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-gemini-cli.md)
- [Agent Zero vs GitHub Copilot CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-github-copilot-cli.md)
- [Agent Zero vs goose](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-goose.md)
- [Agent Zero vs Harness²](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-harness2.md)
- [Agent Zero vs HarnessRouter](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-harnessrouter.md)
- [Agent Zero vs Jules](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-jules.md)
- [Agent Zero vs Junie CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-junie.md)
- [Agent Zero vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)
- [Agent Zero vs Kiro CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-kiro-cli.md)
- [Agent Zero vs mini-swe-agent](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-mini-swe-agent.md)
- [Agent Zero vs Mistral Vibe CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-mistral-vibe-cli.md)
- [Agent Zero vs Muse Code](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-muse-code.md)
- [Agent Zero vs OpenAI Codex](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-openai-codex.md)
- [Agent Zero vs OpenCode](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-opencode.md)
- [Agent Zero vs OpenHands](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-openhands.md)
- [Agent Zero vs Prime Agent](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-prime-agent.md)
- [Agent Zero vs Qoder CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-qoder-cli.md)
- [Agent Zero vs Qwen Code](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-qwen-code.md)
- [Agent Zero vs Mirror CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-reflection-mirror.md)
- [Agent Zero vs Rovo Dev CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-rovo-dev-cli.md)
- [Agent Zero vs Warp (Warp Agent CLI and the Oz Agent API)](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-warp.md)
- [Aider vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/aider-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)
- [Amp vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/amp-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)
- [Antigravity CLI vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/antigravity-cli-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)
- [Auggie CLI vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/auggie-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)
- [Claude Code vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)
- [Cline vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/cline-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)
- [Crush vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/crush-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)
- [Cursor CLI vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/cursor-cli-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)
- [DeepSeek Harness (dsh) vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/deepseek-harness-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)
- [Devin vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/devin-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)
- [Droid CLI vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/droid-cli-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)
- [Pi vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/earendil-pi-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)
- [Gemini CLI vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/gemini-cli-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)
- [GitHub Copilot CLI vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/github-copilot-cli-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)
- [goose vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/goose-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)
- [Harness² vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/harness2-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)
- [HarnessRouter vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/harnessrouter-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)
- [Jules vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/jules-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)
- [Junie CLI vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/junie-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)
- [Kilo Code CLI vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)
- [Kimi Code CLI vs Kiro CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-kiro-cli.md)
- [Kimi Code CLI vs mini-swe-agent](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-mini-swe-agent.md)
- [Kimi Code CLI vs Mistral Vibe CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-mistral-vibe-cli.md)
- [Kimi Code CLI vs Muse Code](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-muse-code.md)
- [Kimi Code CLI vs OpenAI Codex](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-openai-codex.md)
- [Kimi Code CLI vs OpenCode](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-opencode.md)
- [Kimi Code CLI vs OpenHands](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-openhands.md)
- [Kimi Code CLI vs Prime Agent](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-prime-agent.md)
- [Kimi Code CLI vs Qoder CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-qoder-cli.md)
- [Kimi Code CLI vs Qwen Code](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-qwen-code.md)
- [Kimi Code CLI vs Mirror CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-reflection-mirror.md)
- [Kimi Code CLI vs Rovo Dev CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-rovo-dev-cli.md)
- [Kimi Code CLI vs Warp (Warp Agent CLI and the Oz Agent API)](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-warp.md)
- [CLI Manager vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/cli-manager-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)
- [Harness vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/harness-autonomous-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)
- [Kimi Code CLI vs Paperclip](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-paperclip.md)
- [Kimi Code CLI vs Parallax](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-parallax-agents.md)

---

Query this catalogue directly over MCP: https://www.anchorterminal.com/mcp (Streamable HTTP, no key). How: https://www.anchorterminal.com/agents/#mcp