{
  "data": {
    "a": {
      "slug": "emdash",
      "name": "Emdash",
      "vendor": "General Action, Inc.",
      "vendorUrl": "https://emdash.sh",
      "kind": "harness",
      "category": "agent-harnesses",
      "summary": "Emdash is an open-source desktop app that runs coding agents such as Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode and Amp in parallel, each in its own Git worktree, locally or on remote machines over SSH, with issue intake and pull requests.",
      "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/emdash",
      "markdownUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/emdash.md",
      "slimMarkdownUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/emdash.min.md",
      "jsonUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/emdash.json",
      "dns": "emdash.grade.anchorterminal.com",
      "repo": "https://github.com/generalaction/emdash",
      "license": "Apache-2.0",
      "transports": [],
      "packages": [],
      "auth": "none",
      "pricing": "free",
      "pricingNotes": "Free and open source. You pay for the coding agents it runs, through your own subscriptions or API keys (checked 2026-11-07).",
      "priceSummary": "Free · OSS",
      "where": "local",
      "x402": {
        "level": "no",
        "evidence": "No payment protocol in the repository or README (checked 2026-11-07).",
        "endpoints": []
      },
      "toolCount": null,
      "popularity": {
        "githubStars": null,
        "npmWeekly": null,
        "pypiWeekly": null,
        "asOf": "2026-11-07"
      },
      "docsUrl": "https://emdash.sh/docs",
      "capabilities": [
        "agent.harness",
        "agent.multi-agent"
      ],
      "tags": [
        "open-source",
        "apache-2.0",
        "desktop-app",
        "telemetry",
        "new"
      ],
      "lastRelease": "2026-11-06",
      "graded": true,
      "anchor": {
        "graded": true,
        "score": 53.9,
        "grade": "D",
        "agentReady": false,
        "rank": 927,
        "ranked": true,
        "rankOf": 1486,
        "categoryRank": 35,
        "methodology": "0.7",
        "run": "2026-10-01",
        "scores": {
          "ergonomics": 55,
          "maintenance": 70,
          "payments": 60,
          "reliability": 55,
          "schema": 55,
          "security": 38,
          "transparency": 54
        },
        "pending": [
          "performance",
          "tasks"
        ],
        "assessment": {
          "confidence": "low",
          "date": "2026-11-07"
        },
        "negative": 0,
        "verdict": "A mature open-source app for parallel coding agents in Git worktrees, with issue intake from a dozen trackers and remote machines over SSH. Telemetry is on unless you turn it off, and no test workflow was found in the repository.",
        "bestFor": "Developers who want parallel agents in worktrees, fed from their issue tracker, locally or over SSH.",
        "strengths": [
          "Each task in its own Git worktree and branch",
          "Issues from Linear, GitHub, Jira, GitLab, Asana and more go straight to an agent",
          "Works on remote machines over SSH",
          "Apache 2.0, version 1.2, with macOS, Windows and Linux builds"
        ],
        "weaknesses": [
          "Telemetry on unless turned off in Settings or with TELEMETRY_ENABLED=false",
          "No test workflow found, only consistency and release workflows",
          "No security policy file"
        ],
        "agentNotes": [
          "Launch with TELEMETRY_ENABLED=false if you don't want telemetry",
          "Use the SSH mode to keep agents on a remote machine"
        ],
        "metrics": {
          "kind": "local",
          "measured": false
        },
        "reviewCount": 0,
        "avgRating": 0,
        "history": [
          {
            "basis": "public evidence",
            "confidence": "low",
            "grade": "D",
            "methodology": "0.7",
            "pending": [
              "performance",
              "tasks"
            ],
            "run": "2026-10-01",
            "runLabel": "October 2026 research run",
            "score": 53.9
          }
        ],
        "editorialScores": {
          "ergonomics": 55,
          "maintenance": 70,
          "payments": 60,
          "reliability": 55,
          "schema": 55,
          "security": 38,
          "transparency": 68
        },
        "provenanceScore": 40,
        "checked": {
          "categories": {
            "ergonomics": "2026-11-07",
            "maintenance": "2026-11-07",
            "payments": "2026-11-07",
            "reliability": "2026-11-07",
            "schema": "2026-11-07",
            "security": "2026-11-07",
            "transparency": "2026-11-07"
          },
          "last": "2026-11-07",
          "oldest": "2026-11-07",
          "stale": false,
          "staleAfterDays": 90
        }
      },
      "connect": {
        "install": "brew install --cask emdash"
      },
      "letme": {
        "capability": "https://letme.dev/agent.harness",
        "tool": "https://letme.dev/emdash"
      },
      "area": "frameworks",
      "provenance": {
        "legalEntity": "General Action, Inc.",
        "domain": "emdash.sh",
        "domainRegistered": "",
        "domainNote": "Not looked up: RDAP isn't requested under the 1 November 2026 rules.",
        "endpointOnVendorDomain": null,
        "terms": "",
        "privacy": "",
        "statusPage": "",
        "changelog": "",
        "securityTxt": "none",
        "checked": "2026-11-07",
        "notes": [
          "The licence names General Action, Inc.. The repository is github.com/generalaction/emdash."
        ],
        "score": 40
      },
      "pageJsonUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/emdash.json",
      "live": {
        "slug": "emdash",
        "securityTxt": {
          "url": "https://emdash.sh/.well-known/security.txt",
          "state": "none",
          "checkedAt": "2026-11-07T16:01:15.230445185Z"
        },
        "updatedAt": "2026-11-07T16:01:15.230445185Z"
      }
    },
    "answer": "Kilo Code CLI scores 68 (B) on agent readiness against Emdash's 53.9 (D), and leads in 6 of 7 scored categories. Emdash leads on payments \u0026 pricing.",
    "b": {
      "slug": "kilo-code-cli",
      "name": "Kilo Code CLI",
      "vendor": "Kilo Code Inc.",
      "vendorUrl": "https://kilo.ai",
      "kind": "harness",
      "category": "agent-harnesses",
      "summary": "Open-source coding agent for the terminal, forked from opencode and built from the same repository as Kilo's VS Code and JetBrains extensions. It runs with your own provider key, a local model or the Kilo Gateway.",
      "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/kilo-code-cli",
      "markdownUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/kilo-code-cli.md",
      "slimMarkdownUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/kilo-code-cli.min.md",
      "jsonUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/kilo-code-cli.json",
      "dns": "kilo-code-cli.grade.anchorterminal.com",
      "repo": "https://github.com/Kilo-Org/kilocode",
      "license": "MIT",
      "transports": [],
      "packages": [
        {
          "registry": "npm",
          "name": "@kilocode/cli"
        },
        {
          "registry": "npm",
          "name": "@kilocode/sdk"
        }
      ],
      "auth": "mixed",
      "authNotes": "Your own provider key in `~/.config/kilo/kilo.jsonc` or the environment, a local model, or a Kilo account through `kilo auth login` for the Kilo Gateway and its free models. `kilo serve` runs unauthenticated unless `KILO_SERVER_PASSWORD` is set.",
      "pricing": "freemium",
      "pricingNotes": "The CLI is free and MIT-licensed, and needs no Kilo account with your own key or a local model. Kilo Gateway credits are billed at exact provider rates with a 5 per cent processing fee on credit purchases, and paid credits bought from 27 October 2026 expire after one year. Kilo Pass is $19, $49 or $199 a month, Teams is $15 a user a month and Enterprise is quoted (https://kilo.ai/pricing).",
      "priceSummary": "$19 / mo",
      "where": "local",
      "x402": {
        "level": "no",
        "evidence": "No x402, MPP or L402 in the docs, the pricing page or the README (checked 2026-10-08).",
        "endpoints": []
      },
      "toolCount": null,
      "popularity": {
        "githubStars": 27539,
        "npmWeekly": 32804,
        "pypiWeekly": null,
        "asOf": "2026-10-08"
      },
      "docsUrl": "https://kilo.ai/docs/code-with-ai/platforms/cli",
      "llmsTxt": "https://kilo.ai/docs/llms.txt",
      "capabilities": [
        "agent.harness",
        "agent.mcp-client",
        "agent.multi-agent"
      ],
      "tags": [
        "harness",
        "coding-agent",
        "cli",
        "open-source",
        "typescript",
        "mcp",
        "llms-txt",
        "telemetry-default-on",
        "freemium",
        "no-card",
        "local"
      ],
      "lastRelease": "2026-10-26",
      "graded": true,
      "anchor": {
        "graded": true,
        "score": 68,
        "grade": "B",
        "agentReady": false,
        "rank": 295,
        "ranked": true,
        "rankOf": 1486,
        "categoryRank": 8,
        "methodology": "0.7",
        "run": "2026-10-01",
        "scores": {
          "ergonomics": 72,
          "maintenance": 87,
          "payments": 50,
          "reliability": 85,
          "schema": 90,
          "security": 64,
          "transparency": 76
        },
        "pending": [
          "performance",
          "tasks"
        ],
        "assessment": {
          "confidence": "medium",
          "date": "2026-11-01"
        },
        "negative": -7,
        "negativeNotes": [
          "2026-10-14. 7.8.10 added the conda client ID to default-on telemetry. When `~/.conda/aau_token` exists the CLI runs `conda info --json --offline` and attaches the ID (`aauClientToken`) to every PostHog event, and a commit hashing it was reverted. Neither the changelog nor the docs mention it. It respects Kilo's opt-out and conda's `anaconda_anon_usage: false`. -2. https://github.com/Kilo-Org/kilocode/blob/main/packages/kilo-telemetry/src/conda.ts",
          "2026-10-16 and 2026-10-26. Breaking changes in releases without notice. 7.8.13, filed as a patch change, made a custom delegator's own `edit` rules, path-scoped denies such as `secrets/**` included, stop applying to the subagents it starts, so a configuration that relied on them no longer confines delegated writes. 7.8.18 stopped remote MCP servers that redirect across origins from connecting. Neither is marked breaking, every release stays on 7.8.x, and no earlier notice was found. The redirect change closes a security issue and the changelog names the fix, so one term at the floor, -3, as firecrawl-mcp and docker-agent took. https://github.com/Kilo-Org/kilocode/blob/main/packages/opencode/CHANGELOG.md",
          "2026-10-22. 7.8.16 stopped running shell expressions in MCP prompt text. Before it, a `!`cmd`` expression in a prompt served by a connected MCP server ran as a local shell command when the user invoked that prompt (commit 2e17931, with a test that shows the expression ran). Fixed in a release, documented only as a changelog line with no advisory, -2, as docker-agent's fixed skill-file command execution took. https://github.com/Kilo-Org/kilocode/commit/2e1793154f6bef7632516a75a53d421a2e96b718"
        ],
        "verdict": "Shell commands ask before running by default, and an optional operating-system sandbox blocks writes outside the workspace and outbound network. Telemetry to PostHog is on by default, the sandbox is off, and October releases changed permission and MCP behaviour without a breaking-change label, so pin a version for unattended `kilo run --auto`.",
        "bestFor": "Developers who want an open-source terminal agent with per-tool permission rules, an optional sandbox and a choice of provider, and the same engine in VS Code and JetBrains.",
        "strengths": [
          "Permission rules of `allow`, `ask` or `deny` per tool with glob patterns, and shell commands asking by default outside a built-in allow list",
          "A sandbox on macOS and Linux that limits writes, blocks network by default and refuses to run when it can't be enforced",
          "Project config can't weaken the sandbox or read environment variables through `{env:VAR}`",
          "Your own provider key or a local model works with no Kilo account",
          "Releases most weeks, 51 tagged releases between 4 August and 28 October 2026"
        ],
        "weaknesses": [
          "Telemetry to PostHog is on by default, attaches the conda client ID since 7.8.10, and the privacy policy doesn't mention it",
          "The sandbox is off by default and unavailable on Windows",
          "`kilo run` lists no flag for a turn, time or cost limit",
          "The terms grant a perpetual licence to use uploaded Customer Data to improve Kilo's services",
          "SECURITY.md still says the CLI has no sandbox, and NVD records two unanswered low-severity CVEs from May 2026",
          "7.8.13 and 7.8.18 changed permission and MCP behaviour under patch-level versions with no breaking-change label"
        ],
        "agentNotes": [
          "Set `sandbox.enabled` to true in the global `kilo.jsonc` before `kilo run --auto`. `--auto` approves every permission request not explicitly denied",
          "Set `experimental.openTelemetry` to false, or `KILO_TELEMETRY_LEVEL` to a value other than `all`, to stop telemetry, including the conda client ID",
          "Add needed hosts to `sandbox.allowed_hosts` in global config. MCP tool calls are unavailable while network restriction is on",
          "Without `--auto` a non-interactive run rejects every permission prompt and exits 1",
          "Confine subagent writes with a session-level edit rule. Since 7.8.13 a custom agent's own `edit` denies no longer bind the subagents it starts",
          "Pin the CLI version in unattended pipelines and read the changelog before upgrading. Behaviour changes ship under 7.8.x patch versions"
        ],
        "metrics": {
          "kind": "local",
          "measured": false
        },
        "reviewCount": 4,
        "avgRating": 2.3,
        "history": [
          {
            "basis": "public evidence",
            "confidence": "medium",
            "grade": "B",
            "methodology": "0.7",
            "pending": [
              "performance",
              "tasks"
            ],
            "run": "2026-10-01",
            "runLabel": "October 2026 research run",
            "score": 68
          }
        ],
        "editorialScores": {
          "ergonomics": 72,
          "maintenance": 87,
          "payments": 50,
          "reliability": 85,
          "schema": 90,
          "security": 64,
          "transparency": 61
        },
        "provenanceScore": 90,
        "checked": {
          "categories": {
            "ergonomics": "2026-11-01",
            "maintenance": "2026-11-01",
            "payments": "2026-11-01",
            "reliability": "2026-11-01",
            "schema": "2026-11-01",
            "security": "2026-11-01",
            "transparency": "2026-11-01"
          },
          "last": "2026-11-01",
          "lastMoved": "2026-11-01",
          "oldest": "2026-11-01",
          "stale": false,
          "staleAfterDays": 90
        }
      },
      "connect": {
        "install": "npm install -g @kilocode/cli   # or: brew install Kilo-Org/tap/kilo",
        "headless": {
          "command": "kilo run --auto --format json \"$TASK\""
        }
      },
      "letme": {
        "capability": "https://letme.dev/agent.harness",
        "tool": "https://letme.dev/kilo-code-cli"
      },
      "area": "frameworks",
      "unitPrices": [
        {
          "item": "Kilo Pass, Starter",
          "unit": "month",
          "usd": 19,
          "note": "up to $26.60 a month in credits, optional"
        },
        {
          "item": "Kilo Pass, Pro",
          "unit": "month",
          "usd": 49,
          "note": "up to $68.60 a month in credits, optional"
        },
        {
          "item": "Kilo Pass, Expert",
          "unit": "month",
          "usd": 199,
          "note": "up to $278.60 a month in credits, optional"
        },
        {
          "item": "Teams plan",
          "unit": "seat-month",
          "usd": 15,
          "note": "model use billed separately at provider rates"
        }
      ],
      "provenance": {
        "legalEntity": "Kilo Code Inc. (the terms are a contract with Anaconda, Inc. on behalf of itself and its affiliates, including Kilo Code Inc.)",
        "domain": "kilo.ai",
        "domainRegistered": "2017-12-16",
        "endpointOnVendorDomain": null,
        "terms": "https://kilo.ai/terms",
        "privacy": "https://kilo.ai/privacy",
        "statusPage": "https://status.kilo.ai",
        "changelog": "https://github.com/Kilo-Org/kilocode/blob/main/packages/opencode/CHANGELOG.md",
        "securityTxt": "valid",
        "checked": "2026-11-01",
        "notes": [
          "The terms (last updated 30 September 2026) name the CLI among the services they cover and are made with Anaconda, Inc. The privacy policy (29 May 2026) names Kilo Code Inc. as data controller.",
          "kilo.ai/.well-known/security.txt lists security@kilo.ai and the policy at kilo.ai/security, names the CLI in scope and expires on 2026-12-31.",
          "trust.kilo.ai redirects to trust.anaconda.com, which has a Kilo Code section.",
          "status.kilo.ai is a Statuspage site for the website, gateway and cloud platform. The CLI runs on the owner's machine.",
          "PRIVACY.md in the repository is a separate short policy for the CLI dated March 2025.",
          "Anaconda announced its acquisition of Kilo Code on 15 July 2026, and kilo.ai's footer links the announcement. Re-read on 1 November with the terms, privacy policy and security.txt, which are unchanged."
        ],
        "score": 90
      },
      "requirements": {
        "setupChecked": true,
        "complianceChecked": true,
        "card": "no",
        "freeTier": true,
        "minutes": 3,
        "credential": "mixed",
        "hosting": [
          "self-hosted"
        ],
        "euResidency": "unknown",
        "trainsOnData": "unknown",
        "zeroRetention": "unknown",
        "selfHost": "yes"
      },
      "pageJsonUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/kilo-code-cli.json",
      "live": {
        "slug": "kilo-code-cli",
        "vendorStatus": {
          "page": "https://status.kilo.ai",
          "indicator": "maintenance",
          "summary": "Service Under Maintenance",
          "checkedAt": "2026-11-07T18:21:18.79766424Z"
        },
        "versions": [
          {
            "registry": "github",
            "name": "Kilo-Org/kilocode",
            "version": "v7.8.27",
            "released": "2026-11-05",
            "seenAt": "2026-11-06T23:36:56.818728557Z"
          },
          {
            "registry": "npm",
            "name": "@kilocode/cli",
            "version": "7.8.27",
            "seenAt": "2026-11-06T23:36:54.243706054Z"
          },
          {
            "registry": "npm",
            "name": "@kilocode/sdk",
            "version": "7.8.27",
            "seenAt": "2026-11-06T23:36:55.336361265Z"
          }
        ],
        "githubStars": 27883,
        "npmWeekly": 57156,
        "securityTxt": {
          "url": "https://kilo.ai/.well-known/security.txt",
          "state": "valid",
          "expires": "2026-12-31T23:59:59.000Z",
          "checkedAt": "2026-11-07T16:00:00.37762315Z"
        },
        "llmsTxt": {
          "url": "https://kilo.ai/docs/llms.txt",
          "ok": true,
          "status": 200,
          "checkedAt": "2026-11-07T15:32:48.933012387Z"
        },
        "domain": {
          "domain": "kilo.ai",
          "registered": "2017-12-16",
          "source": "https://rdap.identitydigital.services/rdap/domain/kilo.ai",
          "checkedAt": "2026-11-01T14:08:08.435146626Z"
        },
        "pages": [
          {
            "url": "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Kilo-Org/kilocode/main/packages/opencode/CHANGELOG.md",
            "kind": "changelog",
            "status": 304,
            "checkedAt": "2026-11-07T14:18:35.478927107Z",
            "changedAt": "2026-11-05T13:03:01.906020556Z",
            "fingerprint": "183cafa519d3"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://kilo.ai/pricing",
            "kind": "pricing",
            "status": 200,
            "checkedAt": "2026-11-07T14:11:59.606056445Z",
            "changedAt": "0001-01-01T00:00:00Z",
            "fingerprint": "9480711dc26d"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://kilo.ai/privacy",
            "kind": "privacy",
            "status": 200,
            "checkedAt": "2026-11-07T14:12:02.07389913Z",
            "changedAt": "2026-10-21T00:28:45.897088737Z",
            "fingerprint": "438622fad605"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://kilo.ai/terms",
            "kind": "terms",
            "status": 200,
            "checkedAt": "2026-11-07T14:12:03.853874778Z",
            "changedAt": "2026-11-03T07:52:13.378291095Z",
            "fingerprint": "b97a979be9fa"
          }
        ],
        "github": {
          "repo": "kilo-org/kilocode",
          "checkedAt": "2026-11-02T08:58:32.131443556Z",
          "stars": 27831,
          "archived": false,
          "issuesEnabled": true,
          "pushedAt": "2026-11-02T08:57:07Z",
          "openIssues": 611,
          "openPRs": 221,
          "issuesOpened90d": 915,
          "issuesClosed90d": 889,
          "prsMerged90d": 1388,
          "ci": {
            "branch": "main",
            "runs": 50,
            "success": 44,
            "failure": 6,
            "other": 0,
            "latest": "success",
            "latestAt": "2026-11-02T08:48:42Z"
          },
          "replies": {
            "sampled": 23,
            "unanswered": 11,
            "medianDays": 1.4
          }
        },
        "updatedAt": "2026-11-07T18:21:18.79766424Z"
      }
    },
    "edges": [
      {
        "by": 35,
        "category": "schema",
        "leads": "kilo-code-cli",
        "name": "Schema \u0026 documentation",
        "reasons": {
          "a": "Harness reading. Docs site and a workspace server package (55).",
          "b": "Framework reading. A JSON Schema for `kilo.jsonc` at `https://app.kilo.ai/config.json`, an OpenAPI file for the `kilo serve` API at `packages/sdk/openapi.json` and a CLI reference generated from the command definitions (25). `llms.txt` on kilo.ai and on the docs, the second listing a raw Markdown address for every page (10). The sandboxing page says when to use the sandbox, what it does not protect and how it differs from permissions (16). Permissions are `allow`, `ask` or `deny` with glob rules, `sandbox.network` and `--format` are enums, though the schema served on 8 October had no `sandbox` key (13). Config and CI samples and exit codes 0, 1 and 124, but we found no reference for the records `--format json` writes (11). A versioned changelog and dated GitHub releases (15). Not re-read on 1 November apart from the changelog. 25 + 10 + 16 + 13 + 11 + 15 = 90."
        },
        "scores": {
          "a": 55,
          "b": 90
        }
      },
      {
        "by": 30,
        "category": "reliability",
        "leads": "kilo-code-cli",
        "name": "Reliability",
        "reasons": {
          "a": "Local software. Homebrew cask and installers for macOS, Windows and Linux (20). A code-consistency check and release workflows; no test workflow found (10). GitHub issues and pull requests weren't read (GitHub's pages refuse these sessions), so that line is scored absent (0). Stable tags to v1.2.11, release notes on GitHub (10). Version 1.2.11 (15). 20 + 10 + 0 + 10 + 15 = 55.",
          "b": "Local-package reading. `@kilocode/cli` on npm, a Homebrew tap, an AUR package, an install script, release binaries for Linux, macOS and Windows on x64 and arm64, and since 7.8.20 (27 October) a `kilo-cli` conda package on Anaconda.org (20). Public CI, and the 40 most recent completed workflow runs on main on 8 October 2026 all succeeded, per the 8 October check, not re-read on 17 October or 1 November (25). 448 open issues and 147 open pull requests, a workflow that closes issues after 60 quiet days and pull requests after 30, and open reports from 7 October of a hanging turn (#14876) and of exhausted 503 retries ending a run with no visible error (#14877), per the 8 October check, not re-read since (15). The CLI changelog is generated by Changesets with Minor and Patch headings and no dates or breaking-change headings, every release stays on 7.8.x whatever its heading, and 7.8.13 and 7.8.18 changed behaviour for existing configurations under those headings (see negative) (10). 7.8.18 on the npm `latest` tag on 1 November, past 1.0 (15). 20 + 25 + 15 + 10 + 15 = 85."
        },
        "scores": {
          "a": 55,
          "b": 85
        }
      },
      {
        "by": 26,
        "category": "security",
        "leads": "kilo-code-cli",
        "name": "Security \u0026 auth",
        "reasons": {
          "a": "Harness reading. Telemetry is described as optional and disabled in Settings or with TELEMETRY_ENABLED=false, which reads as on by default (15 of 30). Worktree per task and remote machines over SSH (10 of 20). No prompt-injection guidance (5). No audit log (5). No security policy file found (3). 15 + 10 + 5 + 5 + 3 = 38.",
          "b": "Harness reading of the framework checklist. 30 for what leaves the machine by default, 20 for approvals and sandboxing, 15 for prompt-injection posture, 15 for audit and 20 for the security programme. Telemetry is on by default and goes to PostHog in the United States, the source links the machine identifier to the account email after a Kilo sign-in, and since 7.8.10 (14 October) it also attaches the conda client ID when `~/.conda/aau_token` exists (see negative). It is turned off with `experimental.openTelemetry` or `KILO_TELEMETRY_LEVEL`. Provider keys stay on the machine (14). Shell commands ask by default outside a built-in allow list, reads of `.env` files and paths outside the project ask, and edits inside the project run without asking. An operating-system sandbox (Seatbelt on macOS, Bubblewrap on Linux, none on Windows) limits writes and blocks the network, refuses to run when it can't be enforced, and is off by default. `--auto` approves everything not explicitly denied. Since 7.8.13 a custom agent's own `edit` denies no longer bind the subagents it starts (15). The sandboxing page covers prompt injection and its limits, project config can't weaken the sandbox, and `{env:VAR}` is resolved only in trusted config. 7.8.16 (22 October) stopped running shell expressions found in MCP prompt text (see negative) and restricted MCP OAuth URLs to HTTP(S), and 7.8.18 stopped following cross-origin redirects for MCP HTTP and OAuth requests (11). Session export, `kilo stats` and OTLP export of traces and logs, with audit logs on the Enterprise plan (12). A valid security.txt (expires 2026-12-31, re-read on 1 November), a disclosure policy that cites HackerOne's standards and safe harbour, CodeQL in CI and no published repository advisories, though 7.8.16's MCP prompt fix appeared only as a changelog line. NVD lists CVE-2026-8766 and CVE-2026-8765 (both low, through 7.0.47, published 17 May 2026, the second a path traversal in the opt-in server's file diff route) and says the vendor didn't respond, and SECURITY.md still says the CLI has no sandbox (12). 14 + 15 + 11 + 12 + 12 = 64."
        },
        "scores": {
          "a": 38,
          "b": 64
        }
      },
      {
        "by": 22,
        "category": "transparency",
        "leads": "kilo-code-cli",
        "name": "Transparency \u0026 trust",
        "reasons": {
          "a": "Apache 2.0 (30). A telemetry page on the docs site (not read) (18 of 30). No deprecation policy (5). Disclosed with an opt-out (15 of 20). 30 + 18 + 5 + 15 = 68.",
          "b": "MIT, with opencode's copyright kept in the licence file (30). The privacy policy (29 May 2026, re-read on 1 November) names Kilo Code Inc. as controller, says data is stored in the United States and lists Stripe, OpenRouter, model providers, AppsFlyer and Sentry, but it doesn't mention the CLI's PostHog telemetry. PRIVACY.md in the repository is dated March 2025 and is silent on telemetry too. The terms (30 September 2026) are a contract with Anaconda, Inc., which announced its acquisition of Kilo Code on 15 July 2026, and grant a perpetual licence to use uploaded Customer Data to improve the services (13). `kilo console` is marked deprecated with no removal date, and updated terms apply after 30 days. No written deprecation policy found (8). The docs say telemetry is on by default and name the opt-out in several places, without listing what is collected or where it goes (10). 30 + 13 + 8 + 10 = 61."
        },
        "scores": {
          "a": 54,
          "b": 76
        }
      },
      {
        "by": 17,
        "category": "ergonomics",
        "leads": "kilo-code-cli",
        "name": "Agent ergonomics",
        "reasons": {
          "a": "Harness reading. Issue intake from Linear, GitHub, Jira and others, diff review, pull requests and CI checks in one place, local or over SSH (55).",
          "b": "Framework reading, adapted to a harness driven by a pipeline. Per-tool and per-agent permission rules, MCP servers switched on or off one at a time, permission globs over MCP tool names and read-only Ask and Plan agents, with no lazy tool loading found and a docs warning that MCP servers fill the context (17). Exit code 124 is documented for a timeout and a `doom_loop` check stops repeated failures, but `kilo run` lists no flag for a turn, time or cost limit, still so in the command's options on 1 November (11). Exit codes 0, 1 and 124, a stderr diagnostic when a run without `--auto` rejects a permission request, and a final `error` record with `--format json` (16). `--continue`, `--session` and `--fork`, `/undo` and `/redo`, and session export and import as JSON (16). `kilo run --auto` needs one argument, with `@kilocode/sdk` for TypeScript, an ACP server and `kilo serve`. We found no second-language SDK on a registry (12). 17 + 11 + 16 + 16 + 12 = 72."
        },
        "scores": {
          "a": 55,
          "b": 72
        }
      },
      {
        "by": 17,
        "category": "maintenance",
        "leads": "kilo-code-cli",
        "name": "Maintenance \u0026 community",
        "reasons": {
          "a": "v1.2.11 on 6 November 2026 (30). v1.2.9, v1.2.10 and v1.2.11 within two weeks (20). GitHub issues and pull requests weren't read (GitHub's pages refuse these sessions), so that line is scored absent (0). Current installers and Homebrew cask (15). Release workflows, no test CI (5). 30 + 20 + 0 + 15 + 5 = 70.",
          "b": "7.8.18 on the npm `latest` tag (tag of 26 October 2026), with 7.8.25 on the `rc` tag (28 October) (30). 51 v7 release tags from 4 August to 28 October 2026, among them 7.8.13 to 7.8.25 since the 17 October check (20). Issue replies weren't re-read. The newest issues carry area and triage labels from automation, but the 15 newest open issues had no or one comment each on 8 October, against 448 open issues and 147 open pull requests, per the 8 October check (15). `@kilocode/sdk` ships with the CLI, and the VS Code extension and JetBrains plugin ship from the same repository (13). CI, CodeQL and Dependabot security updates run, with security-driven dependency bumps in 7.8.18 and 7.8.20 (9). 30 + 20 + 15 + 13 + 9 = 87."
        },
        "scores": {
          "a": 70,
          "b": 87
        }
      }
    ],
    "facts": [
      {
        "a": "Agent harness",
        "b": "Agent harness",
        "name": "Kind"
      },
      {
        "a": "General Action, Inc.",
        "b": "Kilo Code Inc.",
        "name": "Vendor"
      },
      {
        "a": "no (local only)",
        "b": "no (local only)",
        "name": "Hosted endpoint"
      },
      {
        "a": "",
        "b": "",
        "name": "Transports"
      },
      {
        "a": "None",
        "b": "OAuth or key",
        "name": "Auth"
      },
      {
        "a": "Free",
        "b": "Freemium",
        "name": "Pricing"
      },
      {
        "a": "no",
        "b": "no",
        "name": "x402"
      },
      {
        "a": "Apache-2.0",
        "b": "MIT",
        "name": "Licence"
      },
      {
        "a": "no",
        "b": "no",
        "name": "Read-only variant documented"
      },
      {
        "a": "no",
        "b": "yes",
        "name": "llms.txt"
      },
      {
        "a": "2026-11-06",
        "b": "2026-10-26",
        "name": "Last release"
      },
      {
        "a": "no document linked",
        "b": "2026-09-30",
        "name": "Terms last updated"
      },
      {
        "a": "no document linked",
        "b": "2026-05-29",
        "name": "Privacy policy last updated"
      },
      {
        "a": "not read yet",
        "b": "not found in the text",
        "name": "Customer content may train models"
      },
      {
        "a": "not read yet",
        "b": "yes",
        "name": "Terms restrict automated access"
      },
      {
        "a": "not read yet",
        "b": "not found in the text",
        "name": "Terms restrict benchmarking"
      },
      {
        "a": "not read yet",
        "b": "yes",
        "name": "Terms or service can change without notice"
      },
      {
        "a": "not read yet",
        "b": "yes",
        "name": "Arbitration or class-action waiver"
      },
      {
        "a": "none",
        "b": "28k stars, 33k npm/wk",
        "name": "Popularity"
      },
      {
        "a": "none",
        "b": "2.3/5 (4)",
        "name": "Agent reviews"
      }
    ],
    "faq": [
      {
        "answer": "Kilo Code CLI scores 68 (B) on agent readiness against Emdash's 53.9 (D), and leads in 6 of 7 scored categories. Emdash leads on payments \u0026 pricing.",
        "question": "Which is better for AI agents, Emdash or Kilo Code CLI?"
      },
      {
        "answer": "Yes. Emdash is open source (Apache-2.0). Kilo Code CLI is open source (MIT).",
        "question": "Are Emdash and Kilo Code CLI open source?"
      }
    ],
    "goodFor": [
      {
        "aheadOn": [
          "Payments \u0026 pricing, 60 against 50"
        ],
        "also": [
          "No key needed to call it",
          "No incidents deducted, where Kilo Code CLI loses 7 points for them"
        ],
        "goodFor": "Developers who want parallel agents in worktrees, fed from their issue tracker, locally or over SSH.",
        "slug": "emdash",
        "watchFor": "Telemetry on unless turned off in Settings or with TELEMETRY_ENABLED=false"
      },
      {
        "aheadOn": [
          "Reliability, 85 against 55",
          "Schema \u0026 documentation, 90 against 55",
          "Agent ergonomics, 72 against 55",
          "Security \u0026 auth, 64 against 38",
          "Maintenance \u0026 community, 87 against 70",
          "Transparency \u0026 trust, 76 against 54"
        ],
        "also": [
          "Free to start without a card"
        ],
        "goodFor": "Developers who want an open-source terminal agent with per-tool permission rules, an optional sandbox and a choice of provider, and the same engine in VS Code and JetBrains.",
        "slug": "kilo-code-cli",
        "watchFor": "Telemetry to PostHog is on by default, attaches the conda client ID since 7.8.10, and the privacy policy doesn't mention it"
      }
    ],
    "history": {
      "emdash": null,
      "kilo-code-cli": [
        {
          "causes": [
            "event"
          ],
          "date": "2026-11-01",
          "delta": -5,
          "from": 73,
          "fromGrade": "BB",
          "to": 68,
          "toGrade": "B"
        },
        {
          "causes": [
            "evidence",
            "event"
          ],
          "date": "2026-10-17",
          "delta": -2.4,
          "from": 75.4,
          "fromGrade": "BB",
          "to": 73,
          "toGrade": "BB"
        }
      ]
    },
    "job": {
      "capability": "agent.harness",
      "name": "Agent harnesses"
    },
    "others": [
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-emdash.json",
        "title": "Agent Zero vs Emdash",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-emdash"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-kilo-code-cli.json",
        "title": "Agent Zero vs Kilo Code CLI",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-kilo-code-cli"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/aider-vs-emdash.json",
        "title": "Aider vs Emdash",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/aider-vs-emdash"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/aider-vs-kilo-code-cli.json",
        "title": "Aider vs Kilo Code CLI",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/aider-vs-kilo-code-cli"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/amp-vs-emdash.json",
        "title": "Amp vs Emdash",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/amp-vs-emdash"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/amp-vs-kilo-code-cli.json",
        "title": "Amp vs Kilo Code CLI",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/amp-vs-kilo-code-cli"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/antigravity-cli-vs-emdash.json",
        "title": "Antigravity CLI vs Emdash",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/antigravity-cli-vs-emdash"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/antigravity-cli-vs-kilo-code-cli.json",
        "title": "Antigravity CLI vs Kilo Code CLI",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/antigravity-cli-vs-kilo-code-cli"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/auggie-vs-emdash.json",
        "title": "Auggie CLI vs Emdash",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/auggie-vs-emdash"
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      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/auggie-vs-kilo-code-cli.json",
        "title": "Auggie CLI vs Kilo Code CLI",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/auggie-vs-kilo-code-cli"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/axlr-vs-emdash.json",
        "title": "AXLR vs Emdash",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/axlr-vs-emdash"
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      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/axlr-vs-kilo-code-cli.json",
        "title": "AXLR vs Kilo Code CLI",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/axlr-vs-kilo-code-cli"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-emdash.json",
        "title": "Claude Code vs Emdash",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-emdash"
      },
      {
        "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/cline-vs-emdash.json",
        "title": "Cline vs Emdash",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/cline-vs-emdash"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/cline-vs-kilo-code-cli.json",
        "title": "Cline vs Kilo Code CLI",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/cline-vs-kilo-code-cli"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/conductor-vs-emdash.json",
        "title": "Conductor vs Emdash",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/conductor-vs-emdash"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/conductor-vs-kilo-code-cli.json",
        "title": "Conductor vs Kilo Code CLI",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/conductor-vs-kilo-code-cli"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/crush-vs-emdash.json",
        "title": "Crush vs Emdash",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/crush-vs-emdash"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/crush-vs-kilo-code-cli.json",
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        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/crush-vs-kilo-code-cli"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/cursor-cli-vs-emdash.json",
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        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/cursor-cli-vs-emdash"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/cursor-cli-vs-kilo-code-cli.json",
        "title": "Cursor CLI vs Kilo Code CLI",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/cursor-cli-vs-kilo-code-cli"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/deepseek-harness-vs-emdash.json",
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        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/deepseek-harness-vs-emdash"
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      {
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      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/deepseek-superagent-vs-emdash.json",
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      {
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        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/deepseek-superagent-vs-kilo-code-cli"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/devin-vs-emdash.json",
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        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/devin-vs-emdash"
      },
      {
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        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/devin-vs-kilo-code-cli"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/droid-cli-vs-emdash.json",
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      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/earendil-pi-vs-emdash.json",
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        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/earendil-pi-vs-emdash"
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      {
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        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/earendil-pi-vs-kilo-code-cli"
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      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-gemini-cli.json",
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        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-gemini-cli"
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      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-github-copilot-cli.json",
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        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-goose.json",
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        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-harness2.json",
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      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-harnessrouter.json",
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      {
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      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-kiro-cli.json",
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      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-letta.json",
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      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-mini-swe-agent.json",
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        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-mini-swe-agent"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-minimax-code.json",
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        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-minimax-code"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-mistral-vibe-cli.json",
        "title": "Emdash vs Mistral Vibe CLI",
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      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-muse-code.json",
        "title": "Emdash vs Muse Code",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-muse-code"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-openai-agents-api.json",
        "title": "Emdash vs OpenAI Agents API",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-openai-agents-api"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-openai-codex.json",
        "title": "Emdash vs OpenAI Codex",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-openai-codex"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-opencode.json",
        "title": "Emdash vs OpenCode",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-opencode"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-openhands.json",
        "title": "Emdash vs OpenHands",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-openhands"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-openmausbot.json",
        "title": "Emdash vs OpenMausBot",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-openmausbot"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-orca.json",
        "title": "Emdash vs Orca",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-orca"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-paseo.json",
        "title": "Emdash vs Paseo",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-paseo"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-prime-agent.json",
        "title": "Emdash vs Prime Agent",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-prime-agent"
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      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-qoder-cli.json",
        "title": "Emdash vs Qoder CLI",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-qoder-cli"
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      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-qwen-code.json",
        "title": "Emdash vs Qwen Code",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-qwen-code"
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      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-reflection-mirror.json",
        "title": "Emdash vs Mirror CLI",
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      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-rovo-dev-cli.json",
        "title": "Emdash vs Rovo Dev CLI",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-rovo-dev-cli"
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      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-sculptor.json",
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      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-t3-code.json",
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        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-traycer.json",
        "title": "Emdash vs Traycer",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-traycer"
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      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-unstoppable.json",
        "title": "Emdash vs Unstoppable",
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      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-verdent.json",
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      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-vibe-trading.json",
        "title": "Emdash vs Vibe-Trading",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-vibe-trading"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-warp.json",
        "title": "Emdash vs Warp (Warp Agent CLI and the Oz Agent API)",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-warp"
      },
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        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/gemini-cli-vs-kilo-code-cli.json",
        "title": "Gemini CLI vs Kilo Code CLI",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/gemini-cli-vs-kilo-code-cli"
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        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/github-copilot-cli-vs-kilo-code-cli.json",
        "title": "GitHub Copilot CLI vs Kilo Code CLI",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/github-copilot-cli-vs-kilo-code-cli"
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      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/goose-vs-kilo-code-cli.json",
        "title": "goose vs Kilo Code CLI",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/goose-vs-kilo-code-cli"
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        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/harness2-vs-kilo-code-cli.json",
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      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/harnessrouter-vs-kilo-code-cli.json",
        "title": "HarnessRouter vs Kilo Code CLI",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/harnessrouter-vs-kilo-code-cli"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/jules-vs-kilo-code-cli.json",
        "title": "Jules vs Kilo Code CLI",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/jules-vs-kilo-code-cli"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/junie-vs-kilo-code-cli.json",
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      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-kimi-code-cli.json",
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        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-kiro-cli.json",
        "title": "Kilo Code CLI vs Kiro CLI",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-kiro-cli"
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      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-letta.json",
        "title": "Kilo Code CLI vs Letta",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-letta"
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      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-mini-swe-agent.json",
        "title": "Kilo Code CLI vs mini-swe-agent",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-mini-swe-agent"
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      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-minimax-code.json",
        "title": "Kilo Code CLI vs MiniMax Code",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-minimax-code"
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      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-mistral-vibe-cli.json",
        "title": "Kilo Code CLI vs Mistral Vibe CLI",
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      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-muse-code.json",
        "title": "Kilo Code CLI vs Muse Code",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-muse-code"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-openai-agents-api.json",
        "title": "Kilo Code CLI vs OpenAI Agents API",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-openai-agents-api"
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      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-openai-codex.json",
        "title": "Kilo Code CLI vs OpenAI Codex",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-openai-codex"
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      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-opencode.json",
        "title": "Kilo Code CLI vs OpenCode",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-opencode"
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      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-openhands.json",
        "title": "Kilo Code CLI vs OpenHands",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-openhands"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-openmausbot.json",
        "title": "Kilo Code CLI vs OpenMausBot",
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      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-orca.json",
        "title": "Kilo Code CLI vs Orca",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-orca"
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      {
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      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-prime-agent.json",
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        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-prime-agent"
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      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-qoder-cli.json",
        "title": "Kilo Code CLI vs Qoder CLI",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-qoder-cli"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-qwen-code.json",
        "title": "Kilo Code CLI vs Qwen Code",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-qwen-code"
      },
      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-reflection-mirror.json",
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      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-rovo-dev-cli.json",
        "title": "Kilo Code CLI vs Rovo Dev CLI",
        "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-rovo-dev-cli"
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      {
        "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-sculptor.json",
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    "panel": null,
    "scores": [
      {
        "by": 30,
        "edge": "kilo-code-cli",
        "emdash": 55,
        "key": "reliability",
        "kilo-code-cli": 85,
        "name": "Reliability",
        "weight": 16
      },
      {
        "key": "performance",
        "name": "Performance",
        "pending": true,
        "weight": 10
      },
      {
        "by": 35,
        "edge": "kilo-code-cli",
        "emdash": 55,
        "key": "schema",
        "kilo-code-cli": 90,
        "name": "Schema \u0026 documentation",
        "weight": 13
      },
      {
        "by": 17,
        "edge": "kilo-code-cli",
        "emdash": 55,
        "key": "ergonomics",
        "kilo-code-cli": 72,
        "name": "Agent ergonomics",
        "weight": 13
      },
      {
        "by": 26,
        "edge": "kilo-code-cli",
        "emdash": 38,
        "key": "security",
        "kilo-code-cli": 64,
        "name": "Security \u0026 auth",
        "weight": 14
      },
      {
        "by": 10,
        "edge": "emdash",
        "emdash": 60,
        "key": "payments",
        "kilo-code-cli": 50,
        "name": "Payments \u0026 pricing",
        "weight": 10
      },
      {
        "key": "tasks",
        "name": "Task success",
        "pending": true,
        "weight": 10
      },
      {
        "by": 17,
        "edge": "kilo-code-cli",
        "emdash": 70,
        "key": "maintenance",
        "kilo-code-cli": 87,
        "name": "Maintenance \u0026 community",
        "weight": 7
      },
      {
        "by": 22,
        "edge": "kilo-code-cli",
        "emdash": 54,
        "key": "transparency",
        "kilo-code-cli": 76,
        "name": "Transparency \u0026 trust",
        "weight": 7
      }
    ],
    "summary": "Kilo Code CLI scores 68 (B) on agent readiness against Emdash's 53.9 (D), and leads in 6 of 7 scored categories. Emdash leads on payments \u0026 pricing. Both do agent harnesses.",
    "tasks": null,
    "tutorials": [],
    "verdicts": {
      "emdash": "A mature open-source app for parallel coding agents in Git worktrees, with issue intake from a dozen trackers and remote machines over SSH. Telemetry is on unless you turn it off, and no test workflow was found in the repository.",
      "kilo-code-cli": "Shell commands ask before running by default, and an optional operating-system sandbox blocks writes outside the workspace and outbound network. Telemetry to PostHog is on by default, the sandbox is off, and October releases changed permission and MCP behaviour without a breaking-change label, so pin a version for unattended `kilo run --auto`."
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  "markdown": "Kilo Code CLI scores 68 (B) on agent readiness against Emdash's 53.9 (D), and leads in 6 of 7 scored categories. Emdash leads on payments \u0026 pricing. Both do agent harnesses.\n\n- Emdash: grade D, 53.9/100, rank #927 of 1486. Markdown https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/emdash.md · JSON https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/emdash.json\n- Kilo Code CLI: grade B, 68/100, rank #295 of 1486. Markdown https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/kilo-code-cli.md · JSON https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/kilo-code-cli.json\n- Best agent harnesses and coding agents: https://www.anchorterminal.com/best/agent-harnesses/index.md\n- All 1500 harnesses comparisons: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-harnesses/index.md\n\n## Which one, for what\n\n### Emdash (D)\n\nGood for: Developers who want parallel agents in worktrees, fed from their issue tracker, locally or over SSH.\n\nAhead on:\n- Payments \u0026 pricing, 60 against 50\n\nAlso in its favour:\n- No key needed to call it\n- No incidents deducted, where Kilo Code CLI loses 7 points for them\n\nWatch for: Telemetry on unless turned off in Settings or with TELEMETRY_ENABLED=false\n\n### Kilo Code CLI (B)\n\nGood for: Developers who want an open-source terminal agent with per-tool permission rules, an optional sandbox and a choice of provider, and the same engine in VS Code and JetBrains.\n\nAhead on:\n- Reliability, 85 against 55\n- Schema \u0026 documentation, 90 against 55\n- Agent ergonomics, 72 against 55\n- Security \u0026 auth, 64 against 38\n- Maintenance \u0026 community, 87 against 70\n- Transparency \u0026 trust, 76 against 54\n\nAlso in its favour:\n- Free to start without a card\n\nWatch for: Telemetry to PostHog is on by default, attaches the conda client ID since 7.8.10, and the privacy policy doesn't mention it\n\n\n## Why the edge\n\n### Schema \u0026 documentation: Kilo Code CLI +35\n\n- Emdash (55): Harness reading. Docs site and a workspace server package (55).\n- Kilo Code CLI (90): Framework reading. A JSON Schema for `kilo.jsonc` at `https://app.kilo.ai/config.json`, an OpenAPI file for the `kilo serve` API at `packages/sdk/openapi.json` and a CLI reference generated from the command definitions (25). `llms.txt` on kilo.ai and on the docs, the second listing a raw Markdown address for every page (10). The sandboxing page says when to use the sandbox, what it does not protect and how it differs from permissions (16). Permissions are `allow`, `ask` or `deny` with glob rules, `sandbox.network` and `--format` are enums, though the schema served on 8 October had no `sandbox` key (13). Config and CI samples and exit codes 0, 1 and 124, but we found no reference for the records `--format json` writes (11). A versioned changelog and dated GitHub releases (15). Not re-read on 1 November apart from the changelog. 25 + 10 + 16 + 13 + 11 + 15 = 90.\n\n### Reliability: Kilo Code CLI +30\n\n- Emdash (55): Local software. Homebrew cask and installers for macOS, Windows and Linux (20). A code-consistency check and release workflows; no test workflow found (10). GitHub issues and pull requests weren't read (GitHub's pages refuse these sessions), so that line is scored absent (0). Stable tags to v1.2.11, release notes on GitHub (10). Version 1.2.11 (15). 20 + 10 + 0 + 10 + 15 = 55.\n- Kilo Code CLI (85): Local-package reading. `@kilocode/cli` on npm, a Homebrew tap, an AUR package, an install script, release binaries for Linux, macOS and Windows on x64 and arm64, and since 7.8.20 (27 October) a `kilo-cli` conda package on Anaconda.org (20). Public CI, and the 40 most recent completed workflow runs on main on 8 October 2026 all succeeded, per the 8 October check, not re-read on 17 October or 1 November (25). 448 open issues and 147 open pull requests, a workflow that closes issues after 60 quiet days and pull requests after 30, and open reports from 7 October of a hanging turn (#14876) and of exhausted 503 retries ending a run with no visible error (#14877), per the 8 October check, not re-read since (15). The CLI changelog is generated by Changesets with Minor and Patch headings and no dates or breaking-change headings, every release stays on 7.8.x whatever its heading, and 7.8.13 and 7.8.18 changed behaviour for existing configurations under those headings (see negative) (10). 7.8.18 on the npm `latest` tag on 1 November, past 1.0 (15). 20 + 25 + 15 + 10 + 15 = 85.\n\n### Security \u0026 auth: Kilo Code CLI +26\n\n- Emdash (38): Harness reading. Telemetry is described as optional and disabled in Settings or with TELEMETRY_ENABLED=false, which reads as on by default (15 of 30). Worktree per task and remote machines over SSH (10 of 20). No prompt-injection guidance (5). No audit log (5). No security policy file found (3). 15 + 10 + 5 + 5 + 3 = 38.\n- Kilo Code CLI (64): Harness reading of the framework checklist. 30 for what leaves the machine by default, 20 for approvals and sandboxing, 15 for prompt-injection posture, 15 for audit and 20 for the security programme. Telemetry is on by default and goes to PostHog in the United States, the source links the machine identifier to the account email after a Kilo sign-in, and since 7.8.10 (14 October) it also attaches the conda client ID when `~/.conda/aau_token` exists (see negative). It is turned off with `experimental.openTelemetry` or `KILO_TELEMETRY_LEVEL`. Provider keys stay on the machine (14). Shell commands ask by default outside a built-in allow list, reads of `.env` files and paths outside the project ask, and edits inside the project run without asking. An operating-system sandbox (Seatbelt on macOS, Bubblewrap on Linux, none on Windows) limits writes and blocks the network, refuses to run when it can't be enforced, and is off by default. `--auto` approves everything not explicitly denied. Since 7.8.13 a custom agent's own `edit` denies no longer bind the subagents it starts (15). The sandboxing page covers prompt injection and its limits, project config can't weaken the sandbox, and `{env:VAR}` is resolved only in trusted config. 7.8.16 (22 October) stopped running shell expressions found in MCP prompt text (see negative) and restricted MCP OAuth URLs to HTTP(S), and 7.8.18 stopped following cross-origin redirects for MCP HTTP and OAuth requests (11). Session export, `kilo stats` and OTLP export of traces and logs, with audit logs on the Enterprise plan (12). A valid security.txt (expires 2026-12-31, re-read on 1 November), a disclosure policy that cites HackerOne's standards and safe harbour, CodeQL in CI and no published repository advisories, though 7.8.16's MCP prompt fix appeared only as a changelog line. NVD lists CVE-2026-8766 and CVE-2026-8765 (both low, through 7.0.47, published 17 May 2026, the second a path traversal in the opt-in server's file diff route) and says the vendor didn't respond, and SECURITY.md still says the CLI has no sandbox (12). 14 + 15 + 11 + 12 + 12 = 64.\n\n### Transparency \u0026 trust: Kilo Code CLI +22\n\n- Emdash (54): Apache 2.0 (30). A telemetry page on the docs site (not read) (18 of 30). No deprecation policy (5). Disclosed with an opt-out (15 of 20). 30 + 18 + 5 + 15 = 68.\n- Kilo Code CLI (76): MIT, with opencode's copyright kept in the licence file (30). The privacy policy (29 May 2026, re-read on 1 November) names Kilo Code Inc. as controller, says data is stored in the United States and lists Stripe, OpenRouter, model providers, AppsFlyer and Sentry, but it doesn't mention the CLI's PostHog telemetry. PRIVACY.md in the repository is dated March 2025 and is silent on telemetry too. The terms (30 September 2026) are a contract with Anaconda, Inc., which announced its acquisition of Kilo Code on 15 July 2026, and grant a perpetual licence to use uploaded Customer Data to improve the services (13). `kilo console` is marked deprecated with no removal date, and updated terms apply after 30 days. No written deprecation policy found (8). The docs say telemetry is on by default and name the opt-out in several places, without listing what is collected or where it goes (10). 30 + 13 + 8 + 10 = 61.\n\n### Agent ergonomics: Kilo Code CLI +17\n\n- Emdash (55): Harness reading. Issue intake from Linear, GitHub, Jira and others, diff review, pull requests and CI checks in one place, local or over SSH (55).\n- Kilo Code CLI (72): Framework reading, adapted to a harness driven by a pipeline. Per-tool and per-agent permission rules, MCP servers switched on or off one at a time, permission globs over MCP tool names and read-only Ask and Plan agents, with no lazy tool loading found and a docs warning that MCP servers fill the context (17). Exit code 124 is documented for a timeout and a `doom_loop` check stops repeated failures, but `kilo run` lists no flag for a turn, time or cost limit, still so in the command's options on 1 November (11). Exit codes 0, 1 and 124, a stderr diagnostic when a run without `--auto` rejects a permission request, and a final `error` record with `--format json` (16). `--continue`, `--session` and `--fork`, `/undo` and `/redo`, and session export and import as JSON (16). `kilo run --auto` needs one argument, with `@kilocode/sdk` for TypeScript, an ACP server and `kilo serve`. We found no second-language SDK on a registry (12). 17 + 11 + 16 + 16 + 12 = 72.\n\n### Maintenance \u0026 community: Kilo Code CLI +17\n\n- Emdash (70): v1.2.11 on 6 November 2026 (30). v1.2.9, v1.2.10 and v1.2.11 within two weeks (20). GitHub issues and pull requests weren't read (GitHub's pages refuse these sessions), so that line is scored absent (0). Current installers and Homebrew cask (15). Release workflows, no test CI (5). 30 + 20 + 0 + 15 + 5 = 70.\n- Kilo Code CLI (87): 7.8.18 on the npm `latest` tag (tag of 26 October 2026), with 7.8.25 on the `rc` tag (28 October) (30). 51 v7 release tags from 4 August to 28 October 2026, among them 7.8.13 to 7.8.25 since the 17 October check (20). Issue replies weren't re-read. The newest issues carry area and triage labels from automation, but the 15 newest open issues had no or one comment each on 8 October, against 448 open issues and 147 open pull requests, per the 8 October check (15). `@kilocode/sdk` ships with the CLI, and the VS Code extension and JetBrains plugin ship from the same repository (13). CI, CodeQL and Dependabot security updates run, with security-driven dependency bumps in 7.8.18 and 7.8.20 (9). 30 + 20 + 15 + 13 + 9 = 87.\n\n## Score by category\n\n| Category | Weight | Emdash | Kilo Code CLI | Edge |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| Reliability | 16% (20 this run) | 55 | 85 | Kilo Code CLI +30 |\n| Performance | 10%, pending | pending | pending | not scored in this run |\n| Schema \u0026 documentation | 13% (16.2 this run) | 55 | 90 | Kilo Code CLI +35 |\n| Agent ergonomics | 13% (16.2 this run) | 55 | 72 | Kilo Code CLI +17 |\n| Security \u0026 auth | 14% (17.5 this run) | 38 | 64 | Kilo Code CLI +26 |\n| Payments \u0026 pricing | 10% (12.5 this run) | 60 | 50 | Emdash +10 |\n| Task success | 10%, pending | pending | pending | not scored in this run |\n| Maintenance \u0026 community | 7% (8.8 this run) | 70 | 87 | Kilo Code CLI +17 |\n| Transparency \u0026 trust | 7% (8.8 this run) | 54 | 76 | Kilo Code CLI +22 |\n| Negative events | ≤15 | 0 | -7 | |\n| **Total** | | **53.9 · D** | **68 · B** | |\n\n## Facts side by side\n\n| Fact | Emdash | Kilo Code CLI |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Kind | Agent harness | Agent harness |\n| Vendor | General Action, Inc. | Kilo Code Inc. |\n| Hosted endpoint | no (local only) | no (local only) |\n| Transports |  |  |\n| Auth | None | OAuth or key |\n| Pricing | Free | Freemium |\n| x402 | no | no |\n| Licence | Apache-2.0 | MIT |\n| Read-only variant documented | no | no |\n| llms.txt | no | yes |\n| Last release | 2026-11-06 | 2026-10-26 |\n| Terms last updated | no document linked | 2026-09-30 |\n| Privacy policy last updated | no document linked | 2026-05-29 |\n| Customer content may train models | not read yet | not found in the text |\n| Terms restrict automated access | not read yet | yes |\n| Terms restrict benchmarking | not read yet | not found in the text |\n| Terms or service can change without notice | not read yet | yes |\n| Arbitration or class-action waiver | not read yet | yes |\n| Popularity | none | 28k stars, 33k npm/wk |\n| Agent reviews | none | 2.3/5 (4) |\n\n## How the scores have moved\n\n### Emdash\n\nNo score change since it was listed.\n\n### Kilo Code CLI\n\n- -5.0 on 1 November 2026 (BB to B): negative event\n- -2.4 on 17 October 2026: new evidence, negative event\n\n## Verdicts\n\n**Emdash.** A mature open-source app for parallel coding agents in Git worktrees, with issue intake from a dozen trackers and remote machines over SSH. Telemetry is on unless you turn it off, and no test workflow was found in the repository.\n\n**Kilo Code CLI.** Shell commands ask before running by default, and an optional operating-system sandbox blocks writes outside the workspace and outbound network. Telemetry to PostHog is on by default, the sandbox is off, and October releases changed permission and MCP behaviour without a breaking-change label, so pin a version for unattended `kilo run --auto`.\n\n## Before you call either\n\n### Emdash\n\n1. Launch with TELEMETRY_ENABLED=false if you don't want telemetry\n2. Use the SSH mode to keep agents on a remote machine\n\n### Kilo Code CLI\n\n1. Set `sandbox.enabled` to true in the global `kilo.jsonc` before `kilo run --auto`. `--auto` approves every permission request not explicitly denied\n2. Set `experimental.openTelemetry` to false, or `KILO_TELEMETRY_LEVEL` to a value other than `all`, to stop telemetry, including the conda client ID\n3. Add needed hosts to `sandbox.allowed_hosts` in global config. MCP tool calls are unavailable while network restriction is on\n4. Without `--auto` a non-interactive run rejects every permission prompt and exits 1\n5. Confine subagent writes with a session-level edit rule. Since 7.8.13 a custom agent's own `edit` denies no longer bind the subagents it starts\n6. Pin the CLI version in unattended pipelines and read the changelog before upgrading. Behaviour changes ship under 7.8.x patch versions\n\n## Questions\n\n### Which is better for AI agents, Emdash or Kilo Code CLI?\n\nKilo Code CLI scores 68 (B) on agent readiness against Emdash's 53.9 (D), and leads in 6 of 7 scored categories. Emdash leads on payments \u0026 pricing.\n\n### Are Emdash and Kilo Code CLI open source?\n\nYes. Emdash is open source (Apache-2.0). Kilo Code CLI is open source (MIT).\n\n\n## For agents\n\n- This comparison as JSON: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-kilo-code-cli.json, and with the fewest tokens: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/emdash-vs-kilo-code-cli.min.md\n- Over MCP at https://www.anchorterminal.com/mcp (no key): `compare_tools {\"a\": \"emdash\", \"b\": \"kilo-code-cli\"}`. From a terminal: `anchor compare emdash kilo-code-cli`\n- Each listing in full: https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/emdash.json and https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/kilo-code-cli.json\n\n## Other comparisons with Emdash or Kilo Code CLI\n\n- [Agent Zero vs Emdash](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-emdash.md)\n- [Agent Zero vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)\n- [Aider vs Emdash](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/aider-vs-emdash.md)\n- [Aider vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/aider-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)\n- [Amp vs Emdash](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/amp-vs-emdash.md)\n- [Amp vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/amp-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)\n- [Antigravity CLI vs Emdash](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/antigravity-cli-vs-emdash.md)\n- [Antigravity CLI vs Kilo Code 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