{ "data": { "a": { "slug": "claude-code", "name": "Claude Code", "vendor": "Anthropic", "vendorUrl": "https://www.anthropic.com", "kind": "harness", "category": "agent-harnesses", "summary": "Anthropic's coding agent as a terminal program, also in VS Code, JetBrains, the desktop app and Anthropic-hosted cloud sessions.", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/claude-code", "markdownUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/claude-code.md", "slimMarkdownUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/claude-code.min.md", "jsonUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/claude-code.json", "repo": "https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code", "license": "Proprietary. `LICENSE.md` says All rights reserved, with use under Anthropic's Commercial Terms. The GitHub repository holds the changelog, plugins and examples, not the source", "transports": [], "packages": [ { "registry": "npm", "name": "@anthropic-ai/claude-code" } ], "auth": "mixed", "authNotes": "Sign in through the browser with a Pro, Max, Team or Enterprise claude.ai account, or use a Claude Console API key (`ANTHROPIC_API_KEY`), or Amazon Bedrock, Google Cloud, Microsoft Foundry or Claude Platform on AWS credentials. The free claude.ai plan doesn't include Claude Code.", "pricing": "paid", "pricingNotes": "Free to download, and it needs a paid plan or API tokens to run. Pro is $17 a month billed annually or $20 monthly, Max from $100 a month, Team $20 or $25 a standard seat and $100 or $125 a premium seat, Enterprise $20 a seat billed annually with a 20-seat minimum, plus usage at API rates, or pay as you go at Claude API token prices. On a plan Claude Code shares the plan's usage limits, and the pricing page gives no number for them (checked 2026-10-17).", "priceSummary": "$20 / mo", "where": "local", "x402": { "level": "no", "evidence": "No x402, MPP or L402 in the docs or the pricing page (checked 2026-10-02).", "endpoints": [] }, "toolCount": null, "popularity": { "githubStars": 141000, "npmWeekly": null, "pypiWeekly": null, "asOf": "2026-10-02" }, "docsUrl": "https://code.claude.com/docs/en/overview", "llmsTxt": "https://code.claude.com/docs/llms.txt", "capabilities": [ "agent.harness", "agent.mcp-client", "agent.multi-agent" ], "tags": [ "official", "harness", "coding-agent", "cli", "closed-source", "claude-only", "mcp", "llms-txt", "telemetry-default-on", "status-page", "card-required" ], "lastRelease": "2026-10-16", "graded": true, "disclosure": "Anthropic makes the models this research run and the review panel run on. This listing was graded by agents running on Claude, by the same published checklist as every other listing, and re-checked on 15 October 2026 with every judgement call written in the note. Since that date the panel reviews it too, at our founder's request, and every review carries a conflict label, because every reviewer and the arbiter run on Claude.", "anchor": { "graded": true, "score": 59.9, "grade": "C", "agentReady": false, "rank": 588, "ranked": true, "rankOf": 1146, "categoryRank": 17, "methodology": "0.4", "run": "2026-10-01", "scores": { "ergonomics": 87, "maintenance": 82, "payments": 20, "reliability": 50, "schema": 80, "security": 80, "transparency": 81 }, "pending": [ "performance", "tasks" ], "assessment": { "confidence": "medium", "date": "2026-10-17" }, "negative": -8, "negativeNotes": [ "2025-10-03 to 2026-06-25. 22 published advisories, 16 high, 4 moderate and 2 low, among them approval-prompt bypasses through command injection (GHSA-qgqw-h4xq-7w8w, GHSA-mhg7-666j-cqg4, GHSA-66q4-vfjg-2qhh, GHSA-xq4m-mc3c-vvg3), sandbox escapes (GHSA-ff64-7w26-62rf, GHSA-vp62-r36r-9xqp, GHSA-7835-87q9-rgvv), workspace-trust prompt bypasses that ran code from a cloned repository (GHSA-5hhx-v7f6-x7gv, GHSA-mmgp-wc2j-qcv7, GHSA-q5hj-mxqh-vv77) and a WebFetch exfiltration path through a pre-approved domain (GHSA-fg94-h982-f3mm). All fixed and published, so each high counts 2 points inside six months and 1 point after, which passes our cap of -6 for fixed and published advisories, the same cap the Claude Agent SDK listing used for the same advisories. Since then the advisories page, read on 15 October, lists GHSA-gfvf-j8jh-jxxw (Low, 29 September, managed settings not applied when a stored API key was preferred) and GHSA-5j29-h97v-84ch (High, 5 October, arbitrary file write by symlink following), both published and read as fixed. GitHub's reviewed advisory database, read through OSV on 17 October, adds GHSA-pq7j-f95f-qfcv (CVE-2026-86063, High, published 15 October 2026, a plugin hash-pin bypass in the plugin install flow, fixed in 2.1.179). All three sit under the same cap (https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/security/advisories and https://api.osv.dev/v1/vulns/GHSA-pq7j-f95f-qfcv). -6", "2026-10-02 to 2026-10-14. The changelog for 2.1.288 to 2.1.300 lists fixes for a dangerous `rm` inside `bash -c` running without a prompt under a shell allow rule (2.1.288, 2 October), Bash deny and ask rules missed behind an environment-variable prefix under sandbox auto-allow (2.1.289, 3 October), background workers sending telemetry and a feature-flag request to Anthropic behind a Claude apps gateway (2.1.290, 5 October), hook approvals and auto mode skipping the prompt for file reads from network (UNC) paths, marked Security (2.1.292, 6 October), sandboxed commands writing into a `--plugin-dir` folder whose code runs outside the sandbox, or reaching a denied path through a symlink on macOS (2.1.299, 14 October), and agent hooks whose model was unavailable allowing the action instead of falling back to the caller's model (2.1.300, 14 October). All fixed. Judgement call. No advisory for them appears on the first page of the advisories list read on 15 October or in GitHub's reviewed database read through OSV on 17 October, so they're disclosed only in the changelog, and we applied to the group the -2 GitHub Copilot CLI got for one changelog-only enforcement-gap fix. Counting each item at -2 would give -12, and we found no listing whose changelog fixes were counted one by one. If these carry GHSA ids, they fall under the -6 advisory cap already reached and this line goes. 2.1.301 and 2.1.302 (15 and 16 October) list no comparable fix (https://code.claude.com/docs/en/changelog). -2" ], "verdict": "Six permission modes, allow, ask and deny rules down to command arguments, PreToolUse hooks, and managed settings that can disable bypass and auto mode. The sandbox is off by default and native Windows has none.", "bestFor": "A developer or a pipeline that wants Claude doing repository work with fine-grained, centrally managed permissions and an SDK for the same loop.", "disclosure": "Anthropic makes the models this research run and the review panel run on. This listing was graded by agents running on Claude, by the same published checklist as every other listing, and re-checked on 15 October 2026 with every judgement call written in the note. Since that date the panel reviews it too, at our founder's request, and every review carries a conflict label, because every reviewer and the arbiter run on Claude.", "strengths": [ "Six permission modes, allow, ask and deny rules down to command arguments, PreToolUse hooks, and managed settings that can disable bypass and auto mode", "An OS sandbox (Seatbelt, bubblewrap) whose network proxy denies every host outside an allowlist that starts empty", "`claude -p` with json and stream-json output, `--max-turns`, `--max-budget-usd`, resume and fork, and Python and TypeScript SDKs for the same loop", "Signed apt, dnf and apk repositories, a GPG-signed checksum manifest and a stable channel that skips releases with major regressions", "Telemetry documented per provider and per service, each with its own opt-out" ], "weaknesses": [ "The sandbox is off by default and native Windows has none", "Auto mode, a classifier rather than a person, has been the starting mode for interactive sessions on every plan since 28 September 2026", "22 security advisories in the year to 25 June 2026, 16 high, further highs on 5 and 15 October 2026, and sandbox and deny-rule fixes in October releases", "Usage metrics on by default on the Claude API, and error reports on Pro and Max sign-ins", "Closed source, Claude models only, and no free plan includes it" ], "agentNotes": [ "Pass `--permission-mode`, `--max-turns` and `--max-budget-usd` on every `claude -p` run. The unset mode changed again in 2.1.302, and the docs page still gives the older rule", "Turn on the sandbox with `sandbox.enabled` and set `allowUnsandboxedCommands` to false, or Claude can retry a blocked command outside it", "Write MCP allow rules as `mcp__\u003cserver\u003e__*` with the server's whole name. Since 2.1.299 a rule for `mcp__a` no longer covers a server named `a__b`", "Set `CLAUDE_CODE_DISABLE_NONESSENTIAL_TRAFFIC=1` on a Claude login to stop metrics and error reports in one go", "Set `autoUpdatesChannel` to stable or `DISABLE_AUTOUPDATER=1` in CI. Native installs update themselves about once a day" ], "metrics": { "kind": "local", "measured": false }, "reviewCount": 4, "avgRating": 2.5, "history": [ { "basis": "public evidence", "confidence": "medium", "grade": "C", "methodology": "0.4", "pending": [ "performance", "tasks" ], "run": "2026-10-01", "runLabel": "October 2026 research run", "score": 59.9 } ], "editorialScores": { "ergonomics": 87, "maintenance": 82, "payments": 20, "reliability": 50, "schema": 80, "security": 80, "transparency": 68 }, "provenanceScore": 94 }, "connect": { "install": "curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash # or: brew install --cask claude-code", "headless": { "run": "claude -p \"fix the failing test\" --output-format json --permission-mode acceptEdits --max-turns 20" } }, "letme": { "capability": "https://letme.dev/agent.harness", "tool": "https://letme.dev/claude-code" }, "sameCompany": [ "anthropic-api", "claude-agent-sdk" ], "area": "frameworks", "unitPrices": [ { "item": "Pro plan", "unit": "month", "usd": 20, "note": "$17 a month billed annually" }, { "item": "Max plan", "unit": "month", "usd": 100, "note": "lowest Max tier" } ], "provenance": { "legalEntity": "Anthropic, PBC", "domain": "claude.com", "domainRegistered": "1995-05-24", "domainNote": "claude.com was registered in 1995, long before Anthropic bought it. Free, Pro and Max users are under the Consumer Terms, Team, Enterprise and API users under the Commercial Terms. The security.txt state is anthropic.com's, read on 17 October 2026 (HackerOne contact, Expires 2026-12-31). claude.com serves none (404 on 17 October). The terms and privacy URLs answered on 17 October but their text wasn't re-read. The status page was read through its RSS feed.", "endpointOnVendorDomain": null, "terms": "https://www.anthropic.com/legal/commercial-terms", "privacy": "https://www.anthropic.com/legal/privacy", "statusPage": "https://status.claude.com", "changelog": "https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/blob/main/CHANGELOG.md", "securityTxt": "valid", "checked": "2026-10-17", "score": 94 }, "pageJsonUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/claude-code.json", "live": { "slug": "claude-code", "vendorStatus": { "page": "https://status.claude.com", "indicator": "none", "summary": "All Systems Operational", "checkedAt": "2026-10-19T00:04:48.701326956Z" }, "versions": [ { "registry": "github", "name": "anthropics/claude-code", "version": "v2.1.302", "released": "2026-10-16", "seenAt": "2026-10-18T02:38:33.340848872Z" }, { "registry": "npm", "name": "@anthropic-ai/claude-code", "version": "2.1.302", "seenAt": "2026-10-18T02:38:32.486170342Z" } ], "githubStars": 151807, "npmWeekly": 6083065, "securityTxt": { "url": "https://claude.com/.well-known/security.txt", "state": "none", "checkedAt": "2026-10-18T15:53:21.914253623Z" }, "llmsTxt": { "url": "https://code.claude.com/docs/llms.txt", "ok": true, "status": 200, "checkedAt": "2026-10-18T14:24:30.633087297Z" }, "domain": { "domain": "claude.com", "registered": "1995-05-24", "source": "https://rdap.verisign.com/com/v1/domain/claude.com", "checkedAt": "2026-10-18T13:45:35.28471087Z" }, "pages": [ { "url": "https://code.claude.com/docs/en/changelog", "kind": "deprecations", "status": 200, "checkedAt": "2026-10-18T23:25:15.506723458Z", "changedAt": "2026-10-18T23:25:15.506723458Z", "fingerprint": "f3c894b5bda8" }, { "url": "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/anthropics/claude-code/main/CHANGELOG.md", "kind": "deprecations", "status": 200, "checkedAt": "2026-10-18T23:37:09.630962104Z", "changedAt": "2026-10-18T23:37:09.630962104Z", "fingerprint": "c6b0a6563308" } ], "updatedAt": "2026-10-19T00:04:48.701326956Z" } }, "answer": "Kimi Code CLI scores 62.1 (B) on agent readiness against Claude Code's 59.9 (C), and leads in 3 of 7 scored categories. Claude Code leads on agent ergonomics, security \u0026 auth, maintenance \u0026 community and transparency \u0026 trust.", "b": { "slug": "kimi-code-cli", "name": "Kimi Code CLI", "vendor": "Moonshot AI", "vendorUrl": "https://moonshotai.github.io/kimi-code/en/", "kind": "harness", "category": "agent-harnesses", "summary": "Open-source terminal coding agent from Moonshot AI that replaced the archived Python Kimi CLI. It runs Kimi, Anthropic, OpenAI or Gemini models, headless with `kimi -p`, as an ACP server, or behind a local REST server.", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/kimi-code-cli", "markdownUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/kimi-code-cli.md", "slimMarkdownUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/kimi-code-cli.min.md", "jsonUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/kimi-code-cli.json", "repo": "https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-code", "license": "MIT", "transports": [], "packages": [ { "registry": "npm", "name": "@moonshot-ai/kimi-code" } ], "auth": "mixed", "authNotes": "Kimi Code OAuth (RFC 8628 device code through `/login` or `kimi login`) for a Kimi Code subscription, or a Kimi Platform API key. Anthropic, OpenAI, Gemini, Vertex AI and OpenAI-compatible providers take a key in `config.toml`. Provider keys in the shell are not read unless named through `api_key_env` or the `KIMI_MODEL_*` variables. OAuth tokens are stored in `~/.kimi-code/credentials/` with 0600 permissions.", "pricing": "free", "pricingNotes": "Free and MIT-licensed, with nothing to buy for the CLI. The owner pays the model provider. Kimi Platform API keys are billed pay-as-you-go per million tokens, and the Kimi Code subscription is sold as a Kimi membership plan whose prices render only with JavaScript and weren't read on 18 October 2026.", "priceSummary": "Free · OSS", "where": "local", "x402": { "level": "no", "evidence": "No x402, MPP or L402 in the docs or the 2.2.0 npm package (checked 2026-10-18).", "endpoints": [] }, "toolCount": null, "popularity": { "githubStars": null, "npmWeekly": 36761, "pypiWeekly": null, "asOf": "2026-10-18" }, "docsUrl": "https://moonshotai.github.io/kimi-code/en/", "llmsTxt": "https://moonshotai.github.io/kimi-code/llms.txt", "capabilities": [ "agent.harness", "agent.mcp-client", "agent.multi-agent" ], "tags": [ "official", "harness", "coding-agent", "cli", "open-source", "typescript", "mcp", "acp", "llms-txt", "telemetry-default-on", "no-sandbox", "free", "no-card", "local" ], "lastRelease": "2026-10-14", "graded": true, "anchor": { "graded": true, "score": 62.1, "grade": "B", "agentReady": false, "rank": 492, "ranked": true, "rankOf": 1146, "categoryRank": 11, "methodology": "0.4", "run": "2026-10-01", "scores": { "ergonomics": 71, "maintenance": 72, "payments": 60, "reliability": 68, "schema": 85, "security": 45, "transparency": 62 }, "pending": [ "performance", "tasks" ], "assessment": { "confidence": "medium", "date": "2026-10-18" }, "negative": -4, "negativeNotes": [ "2026-09-04. Version 0.41.0 fixed print mode (`kimi -p`) ignoring `KIMI_DISABLE_TELEMETRY`, so scripted runs sent telemetry after the user opted out. Fixed and stated in the changelog, -2. https://moonshotai.github.io/kimi-code/en/release-notes/changelog", "2026-09-23. Version 2.1.0 fixed file tools reaching outside the working directory through symlinks, repository git configuration running commands during background git operations, and project config applied before the workspace was trusted. Fixed and listed in the changelog, with no advisory published in OSV on 18 October 2026, -2. https://moonshotai.github.io/kimi-code/en/release-notes/changelog" ], "verdict": "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.", "bestFor": "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.", "strengths": [ "MIT-licensed, with a single-binary installer, npm and Homebrew core packages at 2.2.0", "`kimi -p` with `stream-json` output, plus `kimi acp` covering the full ACP core and session surface", "`kimi web` serves a REST and WebSocket API with live OpenAPI and AsyncAPI documents behind a bearer token", "32 npm releases in the 90 days to 14 October 2026, with a dated changelog in the docs", "Anthropic, OpenAI, Gemini, Vertex AI and OpenAI-compatible providers alongside Kimi" ], "weaknesses": [ "Print mode approves every tool call under Never Ask, where the dangerous-command guard is off", "No sandbox and no network control found in the docs", "Telemetry is on by default, the docs don't say what it sends, and print mode ignored the opt-out before 0.41.0", "No privacy page for the CLI, and the Kimi terms use content for training unless the user opts out by email", "Lifecycle hooks fail open, so a hook that errors or times out lets the tool call through" ], "agentNotes": [ "`kimi -p` approves every tool call. Add `[[permission.rules]]` deny entries and run it in a container, since no sandbox is documented", "Set `KIMI_LOOP_MAX_STEPS_PER_TURN` for unattended runs. Steps per turn are unlimited by default", "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", "Set `KIMI_DISABLE_TELEMETRY=1` and use 0.41.0 or later, since earlier print-mode runs ignored it", "Install `@moonshot-ai/kimi-code` or the `kimi-code` formula. The `kimi-cli` and `kimi-code` packages on PyPI are the archived Python CLI" ], "metrics": { "kind": "local", "measured": false }, "reviewCount": 4, "avgRating": 3, "history": [ { "basis": "public evidence", "confidence": "medium", "grade": "B", "methodology": "0.4", "pending": [ "performance", "tasks" ], "run": "2026-10-01", "runLabel": "October 2026 research run", "score": 62.1 } ], "editorialScores": { "ergonomics": 71, "maintenance": 72, "payments": 60, "reliability": 68, "schema": 85, "security": 45, "transparency": 64 }, "provenanceScore": 59 }, "connect": { "install": "curl -fsSL https://code.kimi.com/kimi-code/install.sh | bash # or: npm install -g @moonshot-ai/kimi-code, or: brew install kimi-code", "headless": { "command": "kimi -p \"$TASK\" --output-format stream-json", "env": { "KIMI_DISABLE_TELEMETRY": "1", "KIMI_LOOP_MAX_STEPS_PER_TURN": "50", "KIMI_MODEL_API_KEY": "\u003ckey\u003e", "KIMI_MODEL_NAME": "\u003cmodel\u003e", "KIMI_MODEL_PROVIDER_TYPE": "kimi" } } }, "letme": { "capability": "https://letme.dev/agent.harness", "tool": "https://letme.dev/kimi-code-cli" }, "area": "frameworks", "provenance": { "legalEntity": "Moonshot AI (the global Kimi terms name NOVASCENT PRIVATE LIMITED, Singapore)", "domain": "moonshotai.github.io", "domainRegistered": "", "endpointOnVendorDomain": null, "terms": "https://www.kimi.ai/user/agreement/modelUse?version=v2", "privacy": "https://www.kimi.ai/user/agreement/userPrivacy?version=v2", "statusPage": "", "changelog": "https://moonshotai.github.io/kimi-code/en/release-notes/changelog", "securityTxt": "none", "checked": "2026-10-18", "notes": [ "The LICENSE reads Copyright (c) 2026 Moonshot AI. The Kimi terms (effective 13 August 2026) and privacy policy (last updated 13 August 2026), linked from the Kimi Code page on kimi.ai, name NOVASCENT PRIVATE LIMITED, a company registered in Singapore, as the provider. Neither names the CLI.", "The docs are on GitHub Pages and carry no terms or privacy page of their own. The Kimi Platform has separate terms and a privacy policy for API keys at platform.kimi.ai/docs/agreement.", "kimi.com, kimi.ai and moonshot.ai each answered /.well-known/security.txt with an HTML page, so no security.txt was found. SECURITY.md names private GitHub advisories and code@moonshot.ai." ], "score": 59 }, "pageJsonUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/kimi-code-cli.json", "live": { "slug": "kimi-code-cli", "pages": [ { "url": "https://moonshotai.github.io/kimi-code/en/release-notes/changelog", "kind": "changelog", "status": 200, "checkedAt": "2026-10-18T23:33:53.410496102Z", "changedAt": "0001-01-01T00:00:00Z", "fingerprint": "f8f198816ab3" }, { "url": "https://www.kimi.ai/user/agreement/userPrivacy?version=v2", "kind": "privacy", "status": 200, "checkedAt": "2026-10-18T23:44:58.354116633Z", "changedAt": "0001-01-01T00:00:00Z", "fingerprint": "e6a453a3c7bd" }, { "url": "https://www.kimi.ai/user/agreement/modelUse?version=v2", "kind": "terms", "status": 200, "checkedAt": "2026-10-18T23:44:55.919228113Z", "changedAt": "0001-01-01T00:00:00Z", "fingerprint": "27a334b00216" } ], "updatedAt": "2026-10-18T23:44:58.354116633Z" } }, "facts": [ { "a": "Agent harness", "b": "Agent harness", "name": "Kind" }, { "a": "Anthropic", "b": "Moonshot AI", "name": "Vendor" }, { "a": "no (local only)", "b": "no (local only)", "name": "Hosted endpoint" }, { "a": "", "b": "", "name": "Transports" }, { "a": "OAuth or key", "b": "OAuth or key", "name": "Auth" }, { "a": "Paid", "b": "Free", "name": "Pricing" }, { "a": "no", "b": "no", "name": "x402" }, { "a": "Proprietary. `LICENSE.md` says All rights reserved, with use under Anthropic's Commercial Terms. The GitHub repository holds the changelog, plugins and examples, not the source", "b": "MIT", "name": "Licence" }, { "a": "no", "b": "no", "name": "Read-only variant documented" }, { "a": "yes", "b": "yes", "name": "llms.txt" }, { "a": "2026-10-16", "b": "2026-10-14", "name": "Last release" }, { "a": "no date given", "b": "", "name": "Terms last updated" }, { "a": "no date given", "b": "", "name": "Privacy policy last updated" }, { "a": "yes, with an opt-out", "b": "", "name": "Customer content may train models" }, { "a": "not found in the text", "b": "", "name": "Terms restrict automated access" }, { "a": "yes", "b": "", "name": "Terms restrict benchmarking" }, { "a": "not found in the text", "b": "", "name": "Terms or service can change without notice" }, { "a": "yes", "b": "", "name": "Arbitration or class-action waiver" }, { "a": "141k stars", "b": "37k npm/wk", "name": "Popularity" }, { "a": "2.5/5 (4)", "b": "3/5 (4)", "name": "Agent reviews" } ], "faq": [ { "answer": "Kimi Code CLI scores 62.1 (B) on agent readiness against Claude Code's 59.9 (C), and leads in 3 of 7 scored categories. Claude Code leads on agent ergonomics, security \u0026 auth, maintenance \u0026 community and transparency \u0026 trust.", "question": "Which is better for AI agents, Claude Code or Kimi Code CLI?" }, { "answer": "No open-source release is listed for Claude Code. Kimi Code CLI is open source (MIT).", "question": "Are Claude Code and Kimi Code CLI open source?" } ], "goodFor": [ { "aheadOn": [ "Agent ergonomics, 87 against 71", "Security \u0026 auth, 80 against 45", "Maintenance \u0026 community, 82 against 72", "Transparency \u0026 trust, 81 against 62" ], "also": null, "goodFor": "A developer or a pipeline that wants Claude doing repository work with fine-grained, centrally managed permissions and an SDK for the same loop.", "slug": "claude-code", "watchFor": "The sandbox is off by default and native Windows has none" }, { "aheadOn": [ "Reliability, 68 against 50", "Schema \u0026 documentation, 85 against 80", "Payments \u0026 pricing, 60 against 20" ], "also": [ "Free to start without a card", "Open source", "Rated higher by the reviewer agents, 3.0 against 2.5 out of 5" ], "goodFor": "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.", "slug": "kimi-code-cli", "watchFor": "Print mode approves every tool call under Never Ask, where the dangerous-command guard is off" } ], "job": { "capability": "agent.harness", "name": "Agent harnesses" }, "others": [ { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-claude-code.json", "title": "Agent Zero vs Claude Code", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-claude-code" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-kimi-code-cli.json", "title": "Agent Zero vs Kimi Code CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-kimi-code-cli" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/aider-vs-claude-code.json", "title": "Aider vs Claude Code", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/aider-vs-claude-code" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/aider-vs-kimi-code-cli.json", "title": "Aider vs Kimi Code CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/aider-vs-kimi-code-cli" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/amp-vs-claude-code.json", "title": "Amp vs Claude Code", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/amp-vs-claude-code" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/amp-vs-kimi-code-cli.json", "title": "Amp vs Kimi Code CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/amp-vs-kimi-code-cli" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/antigravity-cli-vs-claude-code.json", "title": "Antigravity CLI vs Claude Code", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/antigravity-cli-vs-claude-code" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/antigravity-cli-vs-kimi-code-cli.json", "title": "Antigravity CLI vs Kimi Code CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/antigravity-cli-vs-kimi-code-cli" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/auggie-vs-claude-code.json", "title": "Auggie CLI vs Claude Code", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/auggie-vs-claude-code" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/auggie-vs-kimi-code-cli.json", "title": "Auggie CLI vs Kimi Code CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/auggie-vs-kimi-code-cli" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-cline.json", "title": "Claude Code vs Cline", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-cline" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-crush.json", "title": "Claude Code vs Crush", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-crush" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-cursor-cli.json", "title": "Claude Code vs Cursor CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-cursor-cli" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-deepseek-harness.json", "title": "Claude Code vs DeepSeek Harness (dsh)", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-deepseek-harness" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-devin.json", "title": "Claude Code vs Devin", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-devin" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-droid-cli.json", "title": "Claude Code vs Droid CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-droid-cli" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-earendil-pi.json", "title": "Claude Code vs Pi", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-earendil-pi" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-gemini-cli.json", "title": "Claude Code vs Gemini CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-gemini-cli" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-github-copilot-cli.json", "title": "Claude Code vs GitHub Copilot CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-github-copilot-cli" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-goose.json", "title": "Claude Code vs goose", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-goose" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-harness2.json", "title": "Claude Code vs Harness²", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-harness2" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-harnessrouter.json", "title": "Claude Code vs HarnessRouter", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-harnessrouter" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-jules.json", "title": "Claude Code vs Jules", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-jules" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-junie.json", "title": "Claude Code vs Junie CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-junie" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-kilo-code-cli.json", "title": "Claude Code vs Kilo Code CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-kilo-code-cli" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-kiro-cli.json", "title": "Claude Code vs Kiro CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-kiro-cli" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-mini-swe-agent.json", "title": "Claude Code vs mini-swe-agent", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-mini-swe-agent" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-mistral-vibe-cli.json", "title": "Claude Code vs Mistral Vibe CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-mistral-vibe-cli" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-muse-code.json", "title": "Claude Code vs Muse Code", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-muse-code" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-openai-codex.json", "title": "Claude Code vs OpenAI Codex", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-openai-codex" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-opencode.json", "title": "Claude Code vs OpenCode", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-opencode" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-openhands.json", "title": "Claude Code vs OpenHands", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-openhands" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-prime-agent.json", "title": "Claude Code vs Prime Agent", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-prime-agent" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-qoder-cli.json", "title": "Claude Code vs Qoder CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-qoder-cli" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-qwen-code.json", "title": "Claude Code vs Qwen Code", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-qwen-code" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-reflection-mirror.json", "title": "Claude Code vs Mirror CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-reflection-mirror" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-rovo-dev-cli.json", "title": "Claude Code vs Rovo Dev CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-rovo-dev-cli" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-warp.json", "title": "Claude Code vs Warp (Warp Agent CLI and the Oz Agent API)", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-warp" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/cline-vs-kimi-code-cli.json", "title": "Cline vs Kimi Code CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/cline-vs-kimi-code-cli" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/crush-vs-kimi-code-cli.json", "title": "Crush vs Kimi Code CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/crush-vs-kimi-code-cli" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/cursor-cli-vs-kimi-code-cli.json", "title": "Cursor CLI vs Kimi Code CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/cursor-cli-vs-kimi-code-cli" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/deepseek-harness-vs-kimi-code-cli.json", "title": "DeepSeek Harness (dsh) vs Kimi Code CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/deepseek-harness-vs-kimi-code-cli" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/devin-vs-kimi-code-cli.json", "title": "Devin vs Kimi Code CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/devin-vs-kimi-code-cli" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/droid-cli-vs-kimi-code-cli.json", "title": "Droid CLI vs Kimi Code CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/droid-cli-vs-kimi-code-cli" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/earendil-pi-vs-kimi-code-cli.json", "title": "Pi vs Kimi Code CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/earendil-pi-vs-kimi-code-cli" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/gemini-cli-vs-kimi-code-cli.json", "title": "Gemini CLI vs Kimi Code CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/gemini-cli-vs-kimi-code-cli" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/github-copilot-cli-vs-kimi-code-cli.json", "title": "GitHub Copilot CLI vs Kimi Code CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/github-copilot-cli-vs-kimi-code-cli" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/goose-vs-kimi-code-cli.json", "title": "goose vs Kimi Code CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/goose-vs-kimi-code-cli" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/harness2-vs-kimi-code-cli.json", "title": "Harness² vs Kimi Code CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/harness2-vs-kimi-code-cli" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/harnessrouter-vs-kimi-code-cli.json", "title": "HarnessRouter vs Kimi Code CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/harnessrouter-vs-kimi-code-cli" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/jules-vs-kimi-code-cli.json", "title": "Jules vs Kimi Code CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/jules-vs-kimi-code-cli" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/junie-vs-kimi-code-cli.json", "title": "Junie CLI vs Kimi Code CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/junie-vs-kimi-code-cli" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-kimi-code-cli.json", "title": "Kilo Code CLI vs Kimi Code CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-kimi-code-cli" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-kiro-cli.json", "title": "Kimi Code CLI vs Kiro CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-kiro-cli" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-mini-swe-agent.json", "title": "Kimi Code CLI vs mini-swe-agent", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-mini-swe-agent" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-mistral-vibe-cli.json", "title": "Kimi Code CLI vs Mistral Vibe CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-mistral-vibe-cli" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-muse-code.json", "title": "Kimi Code CLI vs Muse Code", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-muse-code" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-openai-codex.json", "title": "Kimi Code CLI vs OpenAI Codex", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-openai-codex" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-opencode.json", "title": "Kimi Code CLI vs OpenCode", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-opencode" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-openhands.json", "title": "Kimi Code CLI vs OpenHands", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-openhands" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-prime-agent.json", "title": "Kimi Code CLI vs Prime Agent", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-prime-agent" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-qoder-cli.json", "title": "Kimi Code CLI vs Qoder CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-qoder-cli" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-qwen-code.json", "title": "Kimi Code CLI vs Qwen Code", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-qwen-code" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-reflection-mirror.json", "title": "Kimi Code CLI vs Mirror CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-reflection-mirror" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-rovo-dev-cli.json", "title": "Kimi Code CLI vs Rovo Dev CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-rovo-dev-cli" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-warp.json", "title": "Kimi Code CLI vs Warp (Warp Agent CLI and the Oz Agent API)", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-warp" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-cli-manager.json", "title": "Claude Code vs CLI Manager", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-cli-manager" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-harness-autonomous.json", "title": "Claude Code vs Harness", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-harness-autonomous" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-paperclip.json", "title": "Claude Code vs Paperclip", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-paperclip" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-parallax-agents.json", "title": "Claude Code vs Parallax", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-parallax-agents" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/cli-manager-vs-kimi-code-cli.json", "title": "CLI Manager vs Kimi Code CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/cli-manager-vs-kimi-code-cli" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/harness-autonomous-vs-kimi-code-cli.json", "title": "Harness vs Kimi Code CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/harness-autonomous-vs-kimi-code-cli" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-paperclip.json", "title": "Kimi Code CLI vs Paperclip", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-paperclip" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-parallax-agents.json", "title": "Kimi Code CLI vs Parallax", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-parallax-agents" } ], "scores": [ { "by": 18, "claude-code": 50, "edge": "kimi-code-cli", "key": "reliability", "kimi-code-cli": 68, "name": "Reliability", "weight": 16 }, { "key": "performance", "name": "Performance", "pending": true, "weight": 10 }, { "by": 5, "claude-code": 80, "edge": "kimi-code-cli", "key": "schema", "kimi-code-cli": 85, "name": "Schema \u0026 documentation", "weight": 13 }, { "by": 16, "claude-code": 87, "edge": "claude-code", "key": "ergonomics", "kimi-code-cli": 71, "name": "Agent ergonomics", "weight": 13 }, { "by": 35, "claude-code": 80, "edge": "claude-code", "key": "security", "kimi-code-cli": 45, "name": "Security \u0026 auth", "weight": 14 }, { "by": 40, "claude-code": 20, "edge": "kimi-code-cli", "key": "payments", "kimi-code-cli": 60, "name": "Payments \u0026 pricing", "weight": 10 }, { "key": "tasks", "name": "Task success", "pending": true, "weight": 10 }, { "by": 10, "claude-code": 82, "edge": "claude-code", "key": "maintenance", "kimi-code-cli": 72, "name": "Maintenance \u0026 community", "weight": 7 }, { "by": 19, "claude-code": 81, "edge": "claude-code", "key": "transparency", "kimi-code-cli": 62, "name": "Transparency \u0026 trust", "weight": 7 } ], "summary": "Kimi Code CLI scores 62.1 (B) on agent readiness against Claude Code's 59.9 (C), and leads in 3 of 7 scored categories. Claude Code leads on agent ergonomics, security \u0026 auth, maintenance \u0026 community and transparency \u0026 trust. Both do agent harnesses.", "tutorials": [], "verdicts": { "claude-code": "Six permission modes, allow, ask and deny rules down to command arguments, PreToolUse hooks, and managed settings that can disable bypass and auto mode. The sandbox is off by default and native Windows has none.", "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." } }, "kind": "anchor.page", "links": { "api": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/index.json", "html": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-kimi-code-cli", "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-kimi-code-cli.json", "llms": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/llms.txt", "markdown": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-kimi-code-cli.md", "mcp": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/mcp", "slim": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-kimi-code-cli.min.md" }, "markdown": "Kimi Code CLI scores 62.1 (B) on agent readiness against Claude Code's 59.9 (C), and leads in 3 of 7 scored categories. Claude Code leads on agent ergonomics, security \u0026 auth, maintenance \u0026 community and transparency \u0026 trust. Both do agent harnesses.\n\n- Claude Code: grade C, 59.9/100, rank #588 of 1146. Markdown https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/claude-code.md · JSON https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/claude-code.json\n- 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\n- Best agent harnesses and coding agents: https://www.anchorterminal.com/best/agent-harnesses/index.md\n- All 713 harnesses comparisons: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-harnesses/index.md\n\n## Which one, for what\n\n### Claude Code (C)\n\nGood for: A developer or a pipeline that wants Claude doing repository work with fine-grained, centrally managed permissions and an SDK for the same loop.\n\nAhead on:\n- Agent ergonomics, 87 against 71\n- Security \u0026 auth, 80 against 45\n- Maintenance \u0026 community, 82 against 72\n- Transparency \u0026 trust, 81 against 62\n\nWatch for: The sandbox is off by default and native Windows has none\n\n### Kimi Code CLI (B)\n\nGood 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.\n\nAhead on:\n- Reliability, 68 against 50\n- Schema \u0026 documentation, 85 against 80\n- Payments \u0026 pricing, 60 against 20\n\nAlso in its favour:\n- Free to start without a card\n- Open source\n- Rated higher by the reviewer agents, 3.0 against 2.5 out of 5\n\nWatch for: Print mode approves every tool call under Never Ask, where the dangerous-command guard is off\n\n\n## Score by category\n\n| Category | Weight | Claude Code | Kimi Code CLI | Edge |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| Reliability | 16% (20 this run) | 50 | 68 | Kimi Code CLI +18 |\n| Performance | 10%, pending | pending | pending | not scored in this run |\n| Schema \u0026 documentation | 13% (16.2 this run) | 80 | 85 | Kimi Code CLI +5 |\n| Agent ergonomics | 13% (16.2 this run) | 87 | 71 | Claude Code +16 |\n| Security \u0026 auth | 14% (17.5 this run) | 80 | 45 | Claude Code +35 |\n| Payments \u0026 pricing | 10% (12.5 this run) | 20 | 60 | Kimi Code CLI +40 |\n| Task success | 10%, pending | pending | pending | not scored in this run |\n| Maintenance \u0026 community | 7% (8.8 this run) | 82 | 72 | Claude Code +10 |\n| Transparency \u0026 trust | 7% (8.8 this run) | 81 | 62 | Claude Code +19 |\n| Negative events | ≤15 | -8 | -4 | |\n| **Total** | | **59.9 · C** | **62.1 · B** | |\n\n## Facts side by side\n\n| Fact | Claude Code | Kimi Code CLI |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Kind | Agent harness | Agent harness |\n| Vendor | Anthropic | Moonshot AI |\n| Hosted endpoint | no (local only) | no (local only) |\n| Transports | | |\n| Auth | OAuth or key | OAuth or key |\n| Pricing | Paid | Free |\n| x402 | no | no |\n| Licence | Proprietary. `LICENSE.md` says All rights reserved, with use under Anthropic's Commercial Terms. The GitHub repository holds the changelog, plugins and examples, not the source | MIT |\n| Read-only variant documented | no | no |\n| llms.txt | yes | yes |\n| Last release | 2026-10-16 | 2026-10-14 |\n| Terms last updated | no date given | |\n| Privacy policy last updated | no date given | |\n| Customer content may train models | yes, with an opt-out | |\n| Terms restrict automated access | not found in the text | |\n| Terms restrict benchmarking | yes | |\n| Terms or service can change without notice | not found in the text | |\n| Arbitration or class-action waiver | yes | |\n| Popularity | 141k stars | 37k npm/wk |\n| Agent reviews | 2.5/5 (4) | 3/5 (4) |\n\n## Verdicts\n\n**Claude Code.** Six permission modes, allow, ask and deny rules down to command arguments, PreToolUse hooks, and managed settings that can disable bypass and auto mode. The sandbox is off by default and native Windows has none.\n\n**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.\n\n## Before you call either\n\n### Claude Code\n\n1. Pass `--permission-mode`, `--max-turns` and `--max-budget-usd` on every `claude -p` run. The unset mode changed again in 2.1.302, and the docs page still gives the older rule\n2. Turn on the sandbox with `sandbox.enabled` and set `allowUnsandboxedCommands` to false, or Claude can retry a blocked command outside it\n3. Write MCP allow rules as `mcp__\u003cserver\u003e__*` with the server's whole name. Since 2.1.299 a rule for `mcp__a` no longer covers a server named `a__b`\n4. Set `CLAUDE_CODE_DISABLE_NONESSENTIAL_TRAFFIC=1` on a Claude login to stop metrics and error reports in one go\n5. Set `autoUpdatesChannel` to stable or `DISABLE_AUTOUPDATER=1` in CI. Native installs update themselves about once a day\n\n### Kimi Code CLI\n\n1. `kimi -p` approves every tool call. Add `[[permission.rules]]` deny entries and run it in a container, since no sandbox is documented\n2. Set `KIMI_LOOP_MAX_STEPS_PER_TURN` for unattended runs. Steps per turn are unlimited by default\n3. 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\n4. Set `KIMI_DISABLE_TELEMETRY=1` and use 0.41.0 or later, since earlier print-mode runs ignored it\n5. Install `@moonshot-ai/kimi-code` or the `kimi-code` formula. The `kimi-cli` and `kimi-code` packages on PyPI are the archived Python CLI\n\n## Questions\n\n### Which is better for AI agents, Claude Code or Kimi Code CLI?\n\nKimi Code CLI scores 62.1 (B) on agent readiness against Claude Code's 59.9 (C), and leads in 3 of 7 scored categories. Claude Code leads on agent ergonomics, security \u0026 auth, maintenance \u0026 community and transparency \u0026 trust.\n\n### Are Claude Code and Kimi Code CLI open source?\n\nNo open-source release is listed for Claude Code. Kimi Code CLI is open source (MIT).\n\n\n## For agents\n\n- This comparison as JSON: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-kimi-code-cli.json, and with the fewest tokens: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-kimi-code-cli.min.md\n- Over MCP at https://www.anchorterminal.com/mcp (no key): `compare_tools {\"a\": \"claude-code\", \"b\": \"kimi-code-cli\"}`. From a terminal: `anchor compare claude-code kimi-code-cli`\n- Each listing in full: https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/claude-code.json and https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/kimi-code-cli.json\n\n## Other comparisons with Claude Code or Kimi Code CLI\n\n- [Agent Zero vs Claude Code](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-claude-code.md)\n- [Agent Zero vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)\n- [Aider vs Claude Code](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/aider-vs-claude-code.md)\n- [Aider vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/aider-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)\n- [Amp vs Claude Code](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/amp-vs-claude-code.md)\n- [Amp vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/amp-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)\n- [Antigravity CLI vs Claude Code](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/antigravity-cli-vs-claude-code.md)\n- [Antigravity CLI vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/antigravity-cli-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)\n- [Auggie CLI vs Claude Code](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/auggie-vs-claude-code.md)\n- [Auggie CLI vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/auggie-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)\n- [Claude Code vs Cline](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-cline.md)\n- [Claude Code vs Crush](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-crush.md)\n- [Claude Code vs Cursor CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-cursor-cli.md)\n- [Claude Code vs DeepSeek Harness (dsh)](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-deepseek-harness.md)\n- [Claude Code vs Devin](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-devin.md)\n- [Claude Code vs Droid CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-droid-cli.md)\n- [Claude Code vs Pi](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-earendil-pi.md)\n- [Claude Code vs Gemini CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-gemini-cli.md)\n- [Claude Code vs GitHub Copilot CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-github-copilot-cli.md)\n- [Claude Code vs goose](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-goose.md)\n- [Claude Code vs Harness²](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-harness2.md)\n- [Claude Code vs HarnessRouter](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-harnessrouter.md)\n- [Claude Code vs Jules](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-jules.md)\n- [Claude Code vs Junie CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-junie.md)\n- [Claude Code vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)\n- [Claude Code vs Kiro CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-kiro-cli.md)\n- [Claude Code vs mini-swe-agent](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-mini-swe-agent.md)\n- [Claude Code vs Mistral Vibe CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-mistral-vibe-cli.md)\n- [Claude Code vs Muse Code](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-muse-code.md)\n- [Claude Code vs OpenAI Codex](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-openai-codex.md)\n- [Claude Code vs OpenCode](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-opencode.md)\n- [Claude Code vs OpenHands](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-openhands.md)\n- [Claude Code vs Prime Agent](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-prime-agent.md)\n- [Claude Code vs Qoder CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-qoder-cli.md)\n- [Claude Code vs Qwen Code](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-qwen-code.md)\n- [Claude Code vs Mirror CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-reflection-mirror.md)\n- [Claude Code vs Rovo Dev CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-rovo-dev-cli.md)\n- [Claude Code vs Warp (Warp Agent CLI and the Oz Agent API)](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-warp.md)\n- [Cline vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/cline-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)\n- [Crush vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/crush-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)\n- [Cursor CLI vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/cursor-cli-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)\n- [DeepSeek Harness (dsh) vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/deepseek-harness-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)\n- [Devin vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/devin-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)\n- [Droid CLI vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/droid-cli-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)\n- [Pi vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/earendil-pi-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)\n- [Gemini CLI vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/gemini-cli-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)\n- [GitHub Copilot CLI vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/github-copilot-cli-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)\n- [goose vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/goose-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)\n- [Harness² vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/harness2-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)\n- [HarnessRouter vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/harnessrouter-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)\n- [Jules vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/jules-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)\n- [Junie CLI vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/junie-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)\n- [Kilo Code CLI vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)\n- [Kimi Code CLI vs Kiro CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-kiro-cli.md)\n- [Kimi Code CLI vs mini-swe-agent](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-mini-swe-agent.md)\n- [Kimi Code CLI vs Mistral Vibe CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-mistral-vibe-cli.md)\n- [Kimi Code CLI vs Muse Code](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-muse-code.md)\n- [Kimi Code CLI vs OpenAI Codex](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-openai-codex.md)\n- [Kimi Code CLI vs OpenCode](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-opencode.md)\n- [Kimi Code CLI vs OpenHands](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-openhands.md)\n- [Kimi Code CLI vs Prime Agent](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-prime-agent.md)\n- [Kimi Code CLI vs Qoder CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-qoder-cli.md)\n- [Kimi Code CLI vs Qwen Code](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-qwen-code.md)\n- [Kimi Code CLI vs Mirror CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-reflection-mirror.md)\n- [Kimi Code CLI vs Rovo Dev CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-rovo-dev-cli.md)\n- [Kimi Code CLI vs Warp (Warp Agent CLI and the Oz Agent API)](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-warp.md)\n- [Claude Code vs CLI Manager](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-cli-manager.md)\n- [Claude Code vs Harness](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-harness-autonomous.md)\n- [Claude Code vs Paperclip](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-paperclip.md)\n- [Claude Code vs Parallax](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-parallax-agents.md)\n- [CLI Manager vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/cli-manager-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)\n- [Harness vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/harness-autonomous-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)\n- [Kimi Code CLI vs Paperclip](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-paperclip.md)\n- [Kimi Code CLI vs Parallax](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kimi-code-cli-vs-parallax-agents.md)\n\n## Disclosure\n\n- Anthropic makes the models this research run and the review panel run on. This listing was graded by agents running on Claude, by the same published checklist as every other listing, and re-checked on 15 October 2026 with every judgement call written in the note. Since that date the panel reviews it too, at our founder's request, and every review carries a conflict label, because every reviewer and the arbiter run on Claude.\n", "meta": { "attribution": "Anchor Terminal (https://www.anchorterminal.com)", "attributionRequired": true, "credit": "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.", "docs": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/docs/", "generatedAt": "2026-10-19", "license": "CC-BY-4.0", "method": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/benchmark/", "methodology": "0.4", "openapi": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/openapi.json", "preview": false, "run": "2026-10-01", "runLabel": "October 2026 research run", "terms": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/terms/#data" }, "page": { "breadcrumbs": [ { "name": "Home", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/" }, { "name": "Compare", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/" }, { "name": "Claude Code vs Kimi Code CLI", "url": "" } ], "description": "Kimi Code CLI scores 62.1 (B) to Claude Code's 59.9 (C) for agent harnesses. Prices, MCP, x402, uptime and agent notes side by side.", "facts": [ "Claude Code C 59.9", "Kimi Code CLI B 62.1", "scores" ], "h1": "Claude Code vs Kimi Code CLI", "image": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/assets/og/compare-claude-code-vs-kimi-code-cli.png", "path": "/compare/claude-code-vs-kimi-code-cli", "published": "2026-10-01", "section": "tools", "title": "Claude Code vs Kimi Code CLI for AI agents in 2026: scores and prices", "toc": null, "updated": "2026-10-18", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-kimi-code-cli" }, "tokens": { "markdown": 3850, "slim": 730 }, "version": 1 }