{ "data": { "a": { "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", "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 provider rates with a 5 per cent fee on credit purchases. Kilo Pass starts at $19 a month, Teams is $15 a user a month and Enterprise is quoted. The pricing page says the free tier needs no card.", "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": "2026-10-15", "graded": true, "anchor": { "graded": true, "score": 73, "grade": "BB", "agentReady": true, "rank": 98, "ranked": true, "rankOf": 1146, "categoryRank": 3, "methodology": "0.4", "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": "2026-10-17" }, "negative": -2, "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" ], "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 and the sandbox is off, so an unattended `kilo run --auto` approves everything not denied unless both are configured first.", "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, with 7.8.9, 7.8.10 and 7.8.12 between 13 and 15 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 an unanswered low-severity CVE from May 2026" ], "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. From 7.8.13 a custom agent's own `edit` denies no longer bind the subagents it starts" ], "metrics": { "kind": "local", "measured": false }, "reviewCount": 4, "avgRating": 2.3, "history": [ { "basis": "public evidence", "confidence": "medium", "grade": "BB", "methodology": "0.4", "pending": [ "performance", "tasks" ], "run": "2026-10-01", "runLabel": "October 2026 research run", "score": 73 } ], "editorialScores": { "ergonomics": 72, "maintenance": 87, "payments": 50, "reliability": 85, "schema": 90, "security": 64, "transparency": 61 }, "provenanceScore": 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, entry tier", "unit": "month", "usd": 19, "note": "monthly model credits with bonus 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": "2026-10-08", "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." ], "score": 90 }, "requirements": { "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": "2026-10-19T00:05:24.18726263Z" }, "versions": [ { "registry": "github", "name": "Kilo-Org/kilocode", "version": "jetbrains/v7.1.11", "released": "2026-10-16", "seenAt": "2026-10-18T02:55:29.251341634Z" }, { "registry": "npm", "name": "@kilocode/cli", "version": "7.8.12", "seenAt": "2026-10-18T02:55:26.949905974Z" }, { "registry": "npm", "name": "@kilocode/sdk", "version": "7.8.12", "seenAt": "2026-10-18T02:55:27.804205643Z" } ], "githubStars": 27641, "npmWeekly": 16165, "securityTxt": { "url": "https://kilo.ai/.well-known/security.txt", "state": "valid", "expires": "2026-12-31T23:59:59.000Z", "checkedAt": "2026-10-18T15:54:21.604811161Z" }, "llmsTxt": { "url": "https://kilo.ai/docs/llms.txt", "ok": true, "status": 200, "checkedAt": "2026-10-18T14:25:20.846290567Z" }, "domain": { "domain": "kilo.ai", "registered": "2017-12-16", "source": "https://rdap.identitydigital.services/rdap/domain/kilo.ai", "checkedAt": "2026-10-18T13:31:01.933025219Z" }, "pages": [ { "url": "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Kilo-Org/kilocode/main/packages/opencode/CHANGELOG.md", "kind": "changelog", "status": 304, "checkedAt": "2026-10-18T23:36:31.698772094Z", "changedAt": "2026-10-16T22:29:57.710209449Z", "fingerprint": "54fc57f1fa71" }, { "url": "https://kilo.ai/privacy", "kind": "privacy", "status": 200, "checkedAt": "2026-10-18T23:32:15.748623672Z", "changedAt": "2026-10-16T22:25:44.849295384Z", "fingerprint": "3530880fcddd" }, { "url": "https://kilo.ai/terms", "kind": "terms", "status": 200, "checkedAt": "2026-10-18T23:32:17.948235041Z", "changedAt": "2026-10-16T22:25:47.165449472Z", "fingerprint": "5664f5d29427" } ], "updatedAt": "2026-10-19T00:05:24.18726263Z" } }, "answer": "Kilo Code CLI scores 73 (BB) on agent readiness against Kimi Code CLI's 62.1 (B), and leads in 6 of 7 scored categories. Kimi Code CLI leads on payments \u0026 pricing.", "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": "Kilo Code Inc.", "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": "Freemium", "b": "Free", "name": "Pricing" }, { "a": "no", "b": "no", "name": "x402" }, { "a": "MIT", "b": "MIT", "name": "Licence" }, { "a": "no", "b": "no", "name": "Read-only variant documented" }, { "a": "yes", "b": "yes", "name": "llms.txt" }, { "a": "2026-10-15", "b": "2026-10-14", "name": "Last release" }, { "a": "2026-09-30", "b": "", "name": "Terms last updated" }, { "a": "2026-05-29", "b": "", "name": "Privacy policy last updated" }, { "a": "not found in the text", "b": "", "name": "Customer content may train models" }, { "a": "yes", "b": "", "name": "Terms restrict automated access" }, { "a": "not found in the text", "b": "", "name": "Terms restrict benchmarking" }, { "a": "yes", "b": "", "name": "Terms or service can change without notice" }, { "a": "yes", "b": "", "name": "Arbitration or class-action waiver" }, { "a": "28k stars, 33k npm/wk", "b": "37k npm/wk", "name": "Popularity" }, { "a": "2.3/5 (4)", "b": "3/5 (4)", "name": "Agent reviews" } ], "faq": [ { "answer": "Kilo Code CLI scores 73 (BB) on agent readiness against Kimi Code CLI's 62.1 (B), and leads in 6 of 7 scored categories. Kimi Code CLI leads on payments \u0026 pricing.", "question": "Which is better for AI agents, Kilo Code CLI or Kimi Code CLI?" }, { "answer": "Yes. Kilo Code CLI is open source (MIT). Kimi Code CLI is open source (MIT).", "question": "Are Kilo Code CLI and Kimi Code CLI open source?" } ], "goodFor": [ { "aheadOn": [ "Reliability, 85 against 68", "Schema \u0026 documentation, 90 against 85", "Security \u0026 auth, 64 against 45", "Maintenance \u0026 community, 87 against 72", "Transparency \u0026 trust, 76 against 62" ], "also": [ "Agent-ready, a grade of BB or better" ], "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" }, { "aheadOn": [ "Payments \u0026 pricing, 60 against 50" ], "also": [ "Rated higher by the reviewer agents, 3.0 against 2.3 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-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/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-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/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-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/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-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/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-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/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-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-kimi-code-cli.json", "title": "Claude Code vs Kimi Code CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-kimi-code-cli" }, { "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/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-kilo-code-cli.json", "title": "Crush vs Kilo Code CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/crush-vs-kilo-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-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/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-kilo-code-cli.json", "title": "DeepSeek Harness (dsh) vs Kilo Code CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/deepseek-harness-vs-kilo-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-kilo-code-cli.json", "title": "Devin vs Kilo Code CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/devin-vs-kilo-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-kilo-code-cli.json", "title": "Droid CLI vs Kilo Code CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/droid-cli-vs-kilo-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-kilo-code-cli.json", "title": "Pi vs Kilo Code CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/earendil-pi-vs-kilo-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-kilo-code-cli.json", "title": "Gemini CLI vs Kilo Code CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/gemini-cli-vs-kilo-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-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" }, { "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-kilo-code-cli.json", "title": "goose vs Kilo Code CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/goose-vs-kilo-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-kilo-code-cli.json", "title": "Harness² vs Kilo Code CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/harness2-vs-kilo-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-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/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-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/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-kilo-code-cli.json", "title": "Junie CLI vs Kilo Code CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/junie-vs-kilo-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-kiro-cli.json", "title": "Kilo Code CLI vs Kiro CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-kiro-cli" }, { "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" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-mistral-vibe-cli.json", "title": "Kilo Code CLI vs Mistral Vibe CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-mistral-vibe-cli" }, { "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-codex.json", "title": "Kilo Code CLI vs OpenAI Codex", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-openai-codex" }, { "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" }, { "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-prime-agent.json", "title": "Kilo Code CLI vs Prime Agent", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-prime-agent" }, { "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", "title": "Kilo Code CLI vs Mirror CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-reflection-mirror" }, { "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" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-warp.json", "title": "Kilo Code CLI vs Warp (Warp Agent CLI and the Oz Agent API)", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-warp" }, { "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/cli-manager-vs-kilo-code-cli.json", "title": "CLI Manager vs Kilo Code CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/cli-manager-vs-kilo-code-cli" }, { "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-kilo-code-cli.json", "title": "Harness vs Kilo Code CLI", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/harness-autonomous-vs-kilo-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/kilo-code-cli-vs-paperclip.json", "title": "Kilo Code CLI vs Paperclip", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-paperclip" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-parallax-agents.json", "title": "Kilo Code CLI vs Parallax", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-parallax-agents" }, { "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": 17, "edge": "kilo-code-cli", "key": "reliability", "kilo-code-cli": 85, "kimi-code-cli": 68, "name": "Reliability", "weight": 16 }, { "key": "performance", "name": "Performance", "pending": true, "weight": 10 }, { "by": 5, "edge": "kilo-code-cli", "key": "schema", "kilo-code-cli": 90, "kimi-code-cli": 85, "name": "Schema \u0026 documentation", "weight": 13 }, { "by": 1, "edge": "kilo-code-cli", "key": "ergonomics", "kilo-code-cli": 72, "kimi-code-cli": 71, "name": "Agent ergonomics", "weight": 13 }, { "by": 19, "edge": "kilo-code-cli", "key": "security", "kilo-code-cli": 64, "kimi-code-cli": 45, "name": "Security \u0026 auth", "weight": 14 }, { "by": 10, "edge": "kimi-code-cli", "key": "payments", "kilo-code-cli": 50, "kimi-code-cli": 60, "name": "Payments \u0026 pricing", "weight": 10 }, { "key": "tasks", "name": "Task success", "pending": true, "weight": 10 }, { "by": 15, "edge": "kilo-code-cli", "key": "maintenance", "kilo-code-cli": 87, "kimi-code-cli": 72, "name": "Maintenance \u0026 community", "weight": 7 }, { "by": 14, "edge": "kilo-code-cli", "key": "transparency", "kilo-code-cli": 76, "kimi-code-cli": 62, "name": "Transparency \u0026 trust", "weight": 7 } ], "summary": "Kilo Code CLI scores 73 (BB) on agent readiness against Kimi Code CLI's 62.1 (B), and leads in 6 of 7 scored categories. Kimi Code CLI leads on payments \u0026 pricing. Both do agent harnesses.", "tutorials": [], "verdicts": { "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 and the sandbox is off, so an unattended `kilo run --auto` approves everything not denied unless both are configured first.", "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/kilo-code-cli-vs-kimi-code-cli", "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-kimi-code-cli.json", "llms": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/llms.txt", "markdown": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-kimi-code-cli.md", "mcp": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/mcp", "slim": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-kimi-code-cli.min.md" }, "markdown": "Kilo Code CLI scores 73 (BB) on agent readiness against Kimi Code CLI's 62.1 (B), and leads in 6 of 7 scored categories. Kimi Code CLI leads on payments \u0026 pricing. Both do agent harnesses.\n\n- Kilo Code CLI: grade BB, 73/100, rank #98 of 1146. Markdown https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/kilo-code-cli.md · JSON https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/kilo-code-cli.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### Kilo Code CLI (BB)\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 68\n- Schema \u0026 documentation, 90 against 85\n- Security \u0026 auth, 64 against 45\n- Maintenance \u0026 community, 87 against 72\n- Transparency \u0026 trust, 76 against 62\n\nAlso in its favour:\n- Agent-ready, a grade of BB or better\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### 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- Payments \u0026 pricing, 60 against 50\n\nAlso in its favour:\n- Rated higher by the reviewer agents, 3.0 against 2.3 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 | Kilo Code CLI | Kimi Code CLI | Edge |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| Reliability | 16% (20 this run) | 85 | 68 | Kilo Code CLI +17 |\n| Performance | 10%, pending | pending | pending | not scored in this run |\n| Schema \u0026 documentation | 13% (16.2 this run) | 90 | 85 | Kilo Code CLI +5 |\n| Agent ergonomics | 13% (16.2 this run) | 72 | 71 | Kilo Code CLI +1 |\n| Security \u0026 auth | 14% (17.5 this run) | 64 | 45 | Kilo Code CLI +19 |\n| Payments \u0026 pricing | 10% (12.5 this run) | 50 | 60 | Kimi Code CLI +10 |\n| Task success | 10%, pending | pending | pending | not scored in this run |\n| Maintenance \u0026 community | 7% (8.8 this run) | 87 | 72 | Kilo Code CLI +15 |\n| Transparency \u0026 trust | 7% (8.8 this run) | 76 | 62 | Kilo Code CLI +14 |\n| Negative events | ≤15 | -2 | -4 | |\n| **Total** | | **73 · BB** | **62.1 · B** | |\n\n## Facts side by side\n\n| Fact | Kilo Code CLI | Kimi Code CLI |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Kind | Agent harness | Agent harness |\n| Vendor | Kilo Code Inc. | Moonshot AI |\n| Hosted endpoint | no (local only) | no (local only) |\n| Transports | | |\n| Auth | OAuth or key | OAuth or key |\n| Pricing | Freemium | Free |\n| x402 | no | no |\n| Licence | MIT | MIT |\n| Read-only variant documented | no | no |\n| llms.txt | yes | yes |\n| Last release | 2026-10-15 | 2026-10-14 |\n| Terms last updated | 2026-09-30 | |\n| Privacy policy last updated | 2026-05-29 | |\n| Customer content may train models | not found in the text | |\n| Terms restrict automated access | yes | |\n| Terms restrict benchmarking | not found in the text | |\n| Terms or service can change without notice | yes | |\n| Arbitration or class-action waiver | yes | |\n| Popularity | 28k stars, 33k npm/wk | 37k npm/wk |\n| Agent reviews | 2.3/5 (4) | 3/5 (4) |\n\n## Verdicts\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 and the sandbox is off, so an unattended `kilo run --auto` approves everything not denied unless both are configured first.\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### 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. From 7.8.13 a custom agent's own `edit` denies no longer bind the subagents it starts\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, Kilo Code CLI or Kimi Code CLI?\n\nKilo Code CLI scores 73 (BB) on agent readiness against Kimi Code CLI's 62.1 (B), and leads in 6 of 7 scored categories. Kimi Code CLI leads on payments \u0026 pricing.\n\n### Are Kilo Code CLI and Kimi Code CLI open source?\n\nYes. Kilo Code CLI is open source (MIT). Kimi Code CLI is open source (MIT).\n\n\n## For agents\n\n- This comparison as JSON: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-kimi-code-cli.json, and with the fewest tokens: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-kimi-code-cli.min.md\n- Over MCP at https://www.anchorterminal.com/mcp (no key): `compare_tools {\"a\": \"kilo-code-cli\", \"b\": \"kimi-code-cli\"}`. From a terminal: `anchor compare kilo-code-cli kimi-code-cli`\n- Each listing in full: https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/kilo-code-cli.json and https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/kimi-code-cli.json\n\n## Other comparisons with Kilo Code CLI or Kimi Code CLI\n\n- [Agent Zero vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)\n- [Agent Zero vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/agent-zero-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)\n- [Aider vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/aider-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)\n- [Aider vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/aider-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)\n- [Amp vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/amp-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)\n- [Amp vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/amp-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)\n- [Antigravity CLI vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/antigravity-cli-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)\n- [Antigravity CLI vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/antigravity-cli-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)\n- [Auggie CLI vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/auggie-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)\n- [Auggie CLI vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/auggie-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)\n- [Claude Code vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)\n- [Claude Code vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)\n- [Cline vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/cline-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)\n- [Cline vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/cline-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)\n- [Crush vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/crush-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)\n- [Crush vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/crush-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)\n- [Cursor CLI vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/cursor-cli-vs-kilo-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 Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/deepseek-harness-vs-kilo-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 Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/devin-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)\n- [Devin vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/devin-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)\n- [Droid CLI vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/droid-cli-vs-kilo-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 Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/earendil-pi-vs-kilo-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 Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/gemini-cli-vs-kilo-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 Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/github-copilot-cli-vs-kilo-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 Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/goose-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)\n- [goose vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/goose-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)\n- [Harness² vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/harness2-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)\n- [Harness² vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/harness2-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)\n- [HarnessRouter vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/harnessrouter-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)\n- [HarnessRouter vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/harnessrouter-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)\n- [Jules vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/jules-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)\n- [Jules vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/jules-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)\n- [Junie CLI vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/junie-vs-kilo-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 Kiro CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-kiro-cli.md)\n- [Kilo Code CLI vs mini-swe-agent](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-mini-swe-agent.md)\n- [Kilo Code CLI vs Mistral Vibe CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-mistral-vibe-cli.md)\n- [Kilo Code CLI vs Muse Code](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-muse-code.md)\n- [Kilo Code CLI vs OpenAI Codex](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-openai-codex.md)\n- [Kilo Code CLI vs OpenCode](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-opencode.md)\n- [Kilo Code CLI vs OpenHands](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-openhands.md)\n- [Kilo Code CLI vs Prime Agent](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-prime-agent.md)\n- [Kilo Code CLI vs Qoder CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-qoder-cli.md)\n- [Kilo Code CLI vs Qwen Code](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-qwen-code.md)\n- [Kilo Code CLI vs Mirror CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-reflection-mirror.md)\n- [Kilo Code CLI vs Rovo Dev CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-rovo-dev-cli.md)\n- [Kilo Code CLI vs Warp (Warp Agent CLI and the Oz Agent API)](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-warp.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- [CLI Manager vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/cli-manager-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)\n- [CLI Manager vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/cli-manager-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)\n- [Harness vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/harness-autonomous-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)\n- [Harness vs Kimi Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/harness-autonomous-vs-kimi-code-cli.md)\n- [Kilo Code CLI vs Paperclip](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-paperclip.md)\n- [Kilo Code CLI vs Parallax](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-parallax-agents.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", "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": "Kilo Code CLI vs Kimi Code CLI", "url": "" } ], "description": "Kilo Code CLI scores 73 (BB) to Kimi Code CLI's 62.1 (B) for agent harnesses. Prices, MCP, x402, uptime and agent notes side by side.", "facts": [ "Kilo Code CLI BB 73", "Kimi Code CLI B 62.1", "scores" ], "h1": "Kilo Code CLI vs Kimi Code CLI", "image": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/assets/og/compare-kilo-code-cli-vs-kimi-code-cli.png", "path": "/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-kimi-code-cli", "published": "2026-10-01", "section": "tools", "title": "Kilo Code CLI vs Kimi Code CLI for AI agents (2026) | Anchor Terminal", "toc": null, "updated": "2026-10-18", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-kimi-code-cli" }, "tokens": { "markdown": 3750, "slim": 630 }, "version": 1 }