{ "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": "2026-10-07", "graded": true, "anchor": { "graded": true, "score": 75.4, "grade": "BB", "agentReady": true, "rank": 47, "ranked": true, "rankOf": 842, "categoryRank": 1, "methodology": "0.4", "run": "2026-10-01", "scores": { "ergonomics": 72, "maintenance": 87, "payments": 50, "reliability": 85, "schema": 90, "security": 66, "transparency": 76 }, "pending": [ "performance", "tasks" ], "assessment": { "confidence": "medium", "date": "2026-10-08" }, "negative": 0, "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", "37 stable releases since 10 July 2026, with the last 40 workflow runs on main passing on 8 October 2026" ], "weaknesses": [ "Telemetry to PostHog is on by default, and the privacy policy and PRIVACY.md don'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 the changelog has no dates or breaking-change headings" ], "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", "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", "Put provider keys in global config or the environment. `{env:VAR}` in a project `kilo.json` is ignored" ], "metrics": { "kind": "local", "measured": false }, "reviewCount": 0, "avgRating": 0, "history": [ { "basis": "public evidence", "confidence": "medium", "grade": "BB", "methodology": "0.4", "pending": [ "performance", "tasks" ], "run": "2026-10-01", "runLabel": "October 2026 research run", "score": 75.4 } ], "editorialScores": { "ergonomics": 72, "maintenance": 87, "payments": 50, "reliability": 85, "schema": 90, "security": 66, "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 }, "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": "2026-10-09T09:25:16.387062715Z" }, "updatedAt": "2026-10-09T09:25:16.387062715Z" } }, "answer": "Kilo Code CLI scores 75.4 (BB) on agent readiness against Qwen Code's 72.4 (BB), and leads in 3 of 7 scored categories. Qwen Code leads on agent ergonomics and payments \u0026 pricing.", "b": { "slug": "qwen-code", "name": "Qwen Code", "vendor": "Alibaba (Qwen team)", "vendorUrl": "https://qwenlm.github.io/qwen-code-docs/en/users/overview/", "kind": "harness", "category": "agent-harnesses", "summary": "Open-source coding agent from Alibaba's Qwen team for the terminal, with desktop, browser and editor interfaces. It runs Qwen, OpenAI, Anthropic and Gemini-compatible models or a local one, and runs headless with `qwen -p`.", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/qwen-code", "markdownUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/qwen-code.md", "slimMarkdownUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/qwen-code.min.md", "jsonUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/qwen-code.json", "repo": "https://github.com/QwenLM/qwen-code", "license": "Apache-2.0", "transports": [], "packages": [ { "registry": "npm", "name": "@qwen-code/qwen-code" }, { "registry": "npm", "name": "@qwen-code/sdk" }, { "registry": "pypi", "name": "qwen-code-sdk" }, { "registry": "oci", "name": "ghcr.io/qwenlm/qwen-code" } ], "auth": "api-key", "authNotes": "No account of its own. A model key goes in an environment variable or `~/.qwen/settings.json`, for Alibaba Cloud Model Studio (Coding Plan, Token Plan or a standard key), a listed third-party provider, or any OpenAI, Anthropic or Gemini-compatible endpoint including a local server. Vertex AI credentials also work. The Qwen OAuth sign-in was discontinued on 15 April 2026.", "pricing": "free", "pricingNotes": "Free and Apache-2.0, with nothing to buy for the CLI. The owner pays the model provider, or nothing with a local model. The Qwen OAuth free tier ended on 15 April 2026. Alibaba Cloud sells a fixed-fee Coding Plan and a usage-billed Token Plan for it, and we couldn't load their price pages on 8 October 2026.", "priceSummary": "Free · OSS", "where": "local", "x402": { "level": "no", "evidence": "No x402, MPP or L402 in the docs or the source (checked 2026-10-08).", "endpoints": [] }, "toolCount": null, "popularity": { "githubStars": 28362, "npmWeekly": 104819, "pypiWeekly": null, "asOf": "2026-10-08" }, "docsUrl": "https://qwenlm.github.io/qwen-code-docs/en/users/overview/", "llmsTxt": "https://qwenlm.github.io/qwen-code-docs/llms.txt", "capabilities": [ "agent.harness", "agent.mcp-client", "agent.multi-agent" ], "tags": [ "official", "harness", "coding-agent", "cli", "open-source", "typescript", "mcp", "llms-txt", "telemetry-default-on", "pre-1.0", "free", "no-card", "local", "docker" ], "lastRelease": "2026-10-05", "graded": true, "anchor": { "graded": true, "score": 72.4, "grade": "BB", "agentReady": true, "rank": 103, "ranked": true, "rankOf": 842, "categoryRank": 4, "methodology": "0.4", "run": "2026-10-01", "scores": { "ergonomics": 85, "maintenance": 88, "payments": 60, "reliability": 69, "schema": 91, "security": 53, "transparency": 63 }, "pending": [ "performance", "tasks" ], "assessment": { "confidence": "medium", "date": "2026-10-08" }, "negative": 0, "verdict": "Apache-2.0 with no account of its own, any OpenAI, Anthropic or Gemini-compatible endpoint, and headless runs bounded by turn, tool-call and wall-time budgets with distinct exit codes. Out of the box, Auto mode lets an LLM classifier approve tool calls, with the sandbox and folder trust both off. Usage statistics are on by default.", "bestFor": "Developers and CI jobs that want an open-source harness tied to no single model vendor, with run budgets and SDKs.", "strengths": [ "Apache-2.0, with CI on main showing 12 passes and 3 cancelled runs in the last 15, none failed", "Headless `qwen -p` with json and stream-json output, and exit codes 53 for the turn limit and 55 for a wall-time or tool-call budget", "Works with any OpenAI, Anthropic or Gemini-compatible endpoint, including a local server, with keys set by environment variable", "39 stable releases in the 90 days to 8 October 2026, each with a Breaking Changes heading in a generated changelog", "A Linux tool sandbox (Bubblewrap or Landlock) with `network: closed`, plus Seatbelt, Docker and Podman" ], "weaknesses": [ "The default approval mode is Auto, where an LLM classifier approves tool calls, and sandboxing and folder trust are both off by default", "Usage statistics are on by default and go to an Alibaba Cloud endpoint that the docs don't name", "SECURITY.md points only to an Alibaba Cloud console portal, with no response time, and the repository has no published advisories", "Pre-1.0 at 0.25.0, with breaking changes shipped in patch releases such as 0.23.4 and 0.24.1", "1,402 open issues and 334 open pull requests on 8 October 2026", "The Qwen OAuth free tier ended on 15 April 2026, so every run needs a paid key or a local model" ], "agentNotes": [ "Pass `--approval-mode` on every run. The settings default is `auto`, and one docs page says headless runs default to asking, so don't rely on either", "Add `--max-session-turns`, `--max-wall-time` and `--max-tool-calls`. All three are unlimited by default. Exit 53 is the turn limit and 55 a budget", "`--yolo` doesn't turn on a sandbox. Add `--sandbox`, or on Linux set `tools.executionSandbox` with `network` set to `closed`", "Set `QWEN_USAGE_STATISTICS_ENABLED=false` to stop usage statistics", "Authenticate with `OPENAI_API_KEY`, `OPENAI_BASE_URL` and `OPENAI_MODEL` in CI. The browser sign-in is discontinued" ], "metrics": { "kind": "local", "measured": false }, "reviewCount": 0, "avgRating": 0, "history": [ { "basis": "public evidence", "confidence": "medium", "grade": "BB", "methodology": "0.4", "pending": [ "performance", "tasks" ], "run": "2026-10-01", "runLabel": "October 2026 research run", "score": 72.4 } ], "editorialScores": { "ergonomics": 85, "maintenance": 88, "payments": 60, "reliability": 69, "schema": 91, "security": 53, "transparency": 77 }, "provenanceScore": 48 }, "connect": { "install": "npm install -g @qwen-code/qwen-code@latest # or: brew install qwen-code", "headless": { "command": "qwen -p \"$TASK\" --output-format json --approval-mode auto-edit --max-session-turns 30 --max-wall-time 10m", "env": { "OPENAI_API_KEY": "\u003ckey\u003e", "OPENAI_BASE_URL": "\u003cendpoint\u003e", "OPENAI_MODEL": "\u003cmodel\u003e", "QWEN_USAGE_STATISTICS_ENABLED": "false" } } }, "letme": { "capability": "https://letme.dev/agent.harness", "tool": "https://letme.dev/qwen-code" }, "area": "frameworks", "provenance": { "legalEntity": "Qwen team, Alibaba Group (no legal entity is named in the repository or the docs)", "domain": "qwenlm.github.io", "domainRegistered": "", "endpointOnVendorDomain": null, "terms": "https://qwenlm.github.io/qwen-code-docs/en/users/support/tos-privacy/", "privacy": "https://qwenlm.github.io/qwen-code-docs/en/users/support/tos-privacy/", "statusPage": "", "changelog": "https://github.com/QwenLM/qwen-code/blob/main/CHANGELOG.md", "securityTxt": "none", "checked": "2026-10-08", "notes": [ "The project's own Terms of Service and Privacy Notice is one page. It covers usage statistics and the Chrome extension, and maps each sign-in method to the model provider's terms and privacy policy. The project publishes no separate privacy policy for the CLI, so both fields point at that page.", "The LICENSE file carries Copyright 2025 Google LLC and Copyright 2025 Qwen. The docs describe the project as Alibaba's, and SECURITY.md sends reports to an Alibaba Cloud console portal.", "The docs are on GitHub Pages. qwen.ai returned its application page for /.well-known/security.txt, so no security.txt was found. alibabacloud.com couldn't be reached from our network on 8 October 2026.", "The qwen.ai terms and privacy pages render only with JavaScript and weren't read." ], "score": 48 }, "pageJsonUrl": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/qwen-code.json", "live": { "slug": "qwen-code", "pages": [ { "url": "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/QwenLM/qwen-code/main/CHANGELOG.md", "kind": "changelog", "status": 200, "checkedAt": "2026-10-08T18:23:49.8394153Z", "changedAt": "0001-01-01T00:00:00Z", "fingerprint": "0782fd2dec4a" }, { "url": "https://qwenlm.github.io/qwen-code-docs/en/users/support/tos-privacy/", "kind": "terms", "status": 200, "checkedAt": "2026-10-08T18:23:34.139570921Z", "changedAt": "0001-01-01T00:00:00Z", "fingerprint": "11f3bc6ce7da" } ], "updatedAt": "2026-10-08T18:23:49.8394153Z" } }, "facts": [ { "a": "Agent harness", "b": "Agent harness", "name": "Kind" }, { "a": "Kilo Code Inc.", "b": "Alibaba (Qwen team)", "name": "Vendor" }, { "a": "no (local only)", "b": "no (local only)", "name": "Hosted endpoint" }, { "a": "", "b": "", "name": "Transports" }, { "a": "OAuth or key", "b": "API key", "name": "Auth" }, { "a": "Freemium", "b": "Free", "name": "Pricing" }, { "a": "no", "b": "no", "name": "x402" }, { "a": "MIT", "b": "Apache-2.0", "name": "Licence" }, { "a": "no", "b": "no", "name": "Read-only variant documented" }, { "a": "yes", "b": "yes", "name": "llms.txt" }, { "a": "2026-10-07", "b": "2026-10-05", "name": "Last release" }, { "a": "2026-09-30", "b": "2026-10-01", "name": "Terms last updated" }, { "a": "2026-05-29", "b": "2026-10-01", "name": "Privacy policy last updated" }, { "a": "not found in the text", "b": "not found in the text", "name": "Customer content may train models" }, { "a": "yes", "b": "not found in the text", "name": "Terms restrict automated access" }, { "a": "not found in the text", "b": "not found in the text", "name": "Terms restrict benchmarking" }, { "a": "yes", "b": "not found in the text", "name": "Terms or service can change without notice" }, { "a": "yes", "b": "not found in the text", "name": "Arbitration or class-action waiver" }, { "a": "28k stars, 33k npm/wk", "b": "28k stars, 105k npm/wk", "name": "Popularity" } ], "faq": [ { "answer": "Kilo Code CLI scores 75.4 (BB) on agent readiness against Qwen Code's 72.4 (BB), and leads in 3 of 7 scored categories. Qwen Code leads on agent ergonomics and payments \u0026 pricing.", "question": "Which is better for AI agents, Kilo Code CLI or Qwen Code?" }, { "answer": "Yes. Kilo Code CLI is open source (MIT). Qwen Code is open source (Apache-2.0).", "question": "Are Kilo Code CLI and Qwen Code open source?" } ], "goodFor": [ { "aheadOn": [ "Reliability, 85 against 69", "Security \u0026 auth, 66 against 53", "Transparency \u0026 trust, 76 against 63" ], "also": null, "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, and the privacy policy and PRIVACY.md don't mention it" }, { "aheadOn": [ "Agent ergonomics, 85 against 72", "Payments \u0026 pricing, 60 against 50" ], "also": null, "goodFor": "Developers and CI jobs that want an open-source harness tied to no single model vendor, with run budgets and SDKs.", "slug": "qwen-code", "watchFor": "The default approval mode is Auto, where an LLM classifier approves tool calls, and sandboxing and folder trust are both off by default" } ], "job": { "capability": "agent.harness", "name": "Agent harness" }, "others": [ { "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-qwen-code.json", "title": "Aider vs Qwen Code", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/aider-vs-qwen-code" }, { "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-qwen-code.json", "title": "Amp vs Qwen Code", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/amp-vs-qwen-code" }, { "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-qwen-code.json", "title": "Claude Code vs Qwen Code", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-qwen-code" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/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-qwen-code.json", "title": "Cline vs Qwen Code", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/cline-vs-qwen-code" }, { "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-qwen-code.json", "title": "Cursor CLI vs Qwen Code", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/cursor-cli-vs-qwen-code" }, { "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-qwen-code.json", "title": "Devin vs Qwen Code", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/devin-vs-qwen-code" }, { "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-qwen-code.json", "title": "Pi vs Qwen Code", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/earendil-pi-vs-qwen-code" }, { "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-qwen-code.json", "title": "Gemini CLI vs Qwen Code", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/gemini-cli-vs-qwen-code" }, { "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-qwen-code.json", "title": "GitHub Copilot CLI vs Qwen Code", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/github-copilot-cli-vs-qwen-code" }, { "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-qwen-code.json", "title": "goose vs Qwen Code", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/goose-vs-qwen-code" }, { "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-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/kiro-cli-vs-qwen-code.json", "title": "Kiro CLI vs Qwen Code", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kiro-cli-vs-qwen-code" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/openai-codex-vs-qwen-code.json", "title": "OpenAI Codex vs Qwen Code", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/openai-codex-vs-qwen-code" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/opencode-vs-qwen-code.json", "title": "OpenCode vs Qwen Code", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/opencode-vs-qwen-code" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/openhands-vs-qwen-code.json", "title": "OpenHands vs Qwen Code", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/openhands-vs-qwen-code" }, { "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/prime-agent-vs-qwen-code.json", "title": "Prime Agent vs Qwen Code", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/prime-agent-vs-qwen-code" }, { "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/paperclip-vs-qwen-code.json", "title": "Paperclip vs Qwen Code", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/paperclip-vs-qwen-code" } ], "scores": [ { "by": 16, "edge": "kilo-code-cli", "key": "reliability", "kilo-code-cli": 85, "name": "Reliability", "qwen-code": 69, "weight": 16 }, { "key": "performance", "name": "Performance", "pending": true, "weight": 10 }, { "by": 1, "edge": "qwen-code", "key": "schema", "kilo-code-cli": 90, "name": "Schema \u0026 documentation", "qwen-code": 91, "weight": 13 }, { "by": 13, "edge": "qwen-code", "key": "ergonomics", "kilo-code-cli": 72, "name": "Agent ergonomics", "qwen-code": 85, "weight": 13 }, { "by": 13, "edge": "kilo-code-cli", "key": "security", "kilo-code-cli": 66, "name": "Security \u0026 auth", "qwen-code": 53, "weight": 14 }, { "by": 10, "edge": "qwen-code", "key": "payments", "kilo-code-cli": 50, "name": "Payments \u0026 pricing", "qwen-code": 60, "weight": 10 }, { "key": "tasks", "name": "Task success", "pending": true, "weight": 10 }, { "by": 1, "edge": "qwen-code", "key": "maintenance", "kilo-code-cli": 87, "name": "Maintenance \u0026 community", "qwen-code": 88, "weight": 7 }, { "by": 13, "edge": "kilo-code-cli", "key": "transparency", "kilo-code-cli": 76, "name": "Transparency \u0026 trust", "qwen-code": 63, "weight": 7 } ], "summary": "Kilo Code CLI scores 75.4 (BB) on agent readiness against Qwen Code's 72.4 (BB), and leads in 3 of 7 scored categories. Qwen Code leads on agent ergonomics and payments \u0026 pricing. Both do agent harness.", "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.", "qwen-code": "Apache-2.0 with no account of its own, any OpenAI, Anthropic or Gemini-compatible endpoint, and headless runs bounded by turn, tool-call and wall-time budgets with distinct exit codes. Out of the box, Auto mode lets an LLM classifier approve tool calls, with the sandbox and folder trust both off. Usage statistics are on by default." } }, "kind": "anchor.page", "links": { "api": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/index.json", "html": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-qwen-code", "json": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-qwen-code.json", "llms": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/llms.txt", "markdown": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-qwen-code.md", "slim": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-qwen-code.min.md" }, "markdown": "Kilo Code CLI scores 75.4 (BB) on agent readiness against Qwen Code's 72.4 (BB), and leads in 3 of 7 scored categories. Qwen Code leads on agent ergonomics and payments \u0026 pricing. Both do agent harness.\n\n- Kilo Code CLI: grade BB, 75.4/100, rank #47 of 842. Markdown https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/kilo-code-cli.md · JSON https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/kilo-code-cli.json\n- Qwen Code: grade BB, 72.4/100, rank #103 of 842. Markdown https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/qwen-code.md · JSON https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/qwen-code.json\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 69\n- Security \u0026 auth, 66 against 53\n- Transparency \u0026 trust, 76 against 63\n\nWatch for: Telemetry to PostHog is on by default, and the privacy policy and PRIVACY.md don't mention it\n\n### Qwen Code (BB)\n\nGood for: Developers and CI jobs that want an open-source harness tied to no single model vendor, with run budgets and SDKs.\n\nAhead on:\n- Agent ergonomics, 85 against 72\n- Payments \u0026 pricing, 60 against 50\n\nWatch for: The default approval mode is Auto, where an LLM classifier approves tool calls, and sandboxing and folder trust are both off by default\n\n\n## Score by category\n\n| Category | Weight | Kilo Code CLI | Qwen Code | Edge |\n| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |\n| Reliability | 16% (20 this run) | 85 | 69 | Kilo Code CLI +16 |\n| Performance | 10%, pending | pending | pending | not scored in this run |\n| Schema \u0026 documentation | 13% (16.2 this run) | 90 | 91 | Qwen Code +1 |\n| Agent ergonomics | 13% (16.2 this run) | 72 | 85 | Qwen Code +13 |\n| Security \u0026 auth | 14% (17.5 this run) | 66 | 53 | Kilo Code CLI +13 |\n| Payments \u0026 pricing | 10% (12.5 this run) | 50 | 60 | Qwen Code +10 |\n| Task success | 10%, pending | pending | pending | not scored in this run |\n| Maintenance \u0026 community | 7% (8.8 this run) | 87 | 88 | Qwen Code +1 |\n| Transparency \u0026 trust | 7% (8.8 this run) | 76 | 63 | Kilo Code CLI +13 |\n| Negative events | ≤15 | 0 | 0 | |\n| **Total** | | **75.4 · BB** | **72.4 · BB** | |\n\n## Facts side by side\n\n| Fact | Kilo Code CLI | Qwen Code |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Kind | Agent harness | Agent harness |\n| Vendor | Kilo Code Inc. | Alibaba (Qwen team) |\n| Hosted endpoint | no (local only) | no (local only) |\n| Transports | | |\n| Auth | OAuth or key | API key |\n| Pricing | Freemium | Free |\n| x402 | no | no |\n| Licence | MIT | Apache-2.0 |\n| Read-only variant documented | no | no |\n| llms.txt | yes | yes |\n| Last release | 2026-10-07 | 2026-10-05 |\n| Terms last updated | 2026-09-30 | 2026-10-01 |\n| Privacy policy last updated | 2026-05-29 | 2026-10-01 |\n| Customer content may train models | not found in the text | not found in the text |\n| Terms restrict automated access | yes | not found in the text |\n| Terms restrict benchmarking | not found in the text | not found in the text |\n| Terms or service can change without notice | yes | not found in the text |\n| Arbitration or class-action waiver | yes | not found in the text |\n| Popularity | 28k stars, 33k npm/wk | 28k stars, 105k npm/wk |\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**Qwen Code.** Apache-2.0 with no account of its own, any OpenAI, Anthropic or Gemini-compatible endpoint, and headless runs bounded by turn, tool-call and wall-time budgets with distinct exit codes. Out of the box, Auto mode lets an LLM classifier approve tool calls, with the sandbox and folder trust both off. Usage statistics are on by default.\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\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. Put provider keys in global config or the environment. `{env:VAR}` in a project `kilo.json` is ignored\n\n### Qwen Code\n\n1. Pass `--approval-mode` on every run. The settings default is `auto`, and one docs page says headless runs default to asking, so don't rely on either\n2. Add `--max-session-turns`, `--max-wall-time` and `--max-tool-calls`. All three are unlimited by default. Exit 53 is the turn limit and 55 a budget\n3. `--yolo` doesn't turn on a sandbox. Add `--sandbox`, or on Linux set `tools.executionSandbox` with `network` set to `closed`\n4. Set `QWEN_USAGE_STATISTICS_ENABLED=false` to stop usage statistics\n5. Authenticate with `OPENAI_API_KEY`, `OPENAI_BASE_URL` and `OPENAI_MODEL` in CI. The browser sign-in is discontinued\n\n## Questions\n\n### Which is better for AI agents, Kilo Code CLI or Qwen Code?\n\nKilo Code CLI scores 75.4 (BB) on agent readiness against Qwen Code's 72.4 (BB), and leads in 3 of 7 scored categories. Qwen Code leads on agent ergonomics and payments \u0026 pricing.\n\n### Are Kilo Code CLI and Qwen Code open source?\n\nYes. Kilo Code CLI is open source (MIT). Qwen Code is open source (Apache-2.0).\n\n\n## For agents\n\n- This comparison as JSON: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-qwen-code.json, and with the fewest tokens: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-qwen-code.min.md\n- Over MCP at https://www.anchorterminal.com/mcp (no key): `compare_tools {\"a\": \"kilo-code-cli\", \"b\": \"qwen-code\"}`. From a terminal: `anchor compare kilo-code-cli qwen-code`\n- Each listing in full: https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/kilo-code-cli.json and https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/qwen-code.json\n\n## Other comparisons with Kilo Code CLI or Qwen Code\n\n- [Aider vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/aider-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)\n- [Aider vs Qwen Code](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/aider-vs-qwen-code.md)\n- [Amp vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/amp-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)\n- [Amp vs Qwen Code](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/amp-vs-qwen-code.md)\n- [Claude Code vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)\n- [Claude Code vs Qwen Code](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/claude-code-vs-qwen-code.md)\n- [Cline vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/cline-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)\n- [Cline vs Qwen Code](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/cline-vs-qwen-code.md)\n- [Cursor CLI vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/cursor-cli-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)\n- [Cursor CLI vs Qwen Code](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/cursor-cli-vs-qwen-code.md)\n- [Devin vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/devin-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)\n- [Devin vs Qwen Code](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/devin-vs-qwen-code.md)\n- [Pi vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/earendil-pi-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)\n- [Pi vs Qwen Code](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/earendil-pi-vs-qwen-code.md)\n- [Gemini CLI vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/gemini-cli-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)\n- [Gemini CLI vs Qwen Code](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/gemini-cli-vs-qwen-code.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 Qwen Code](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/github-copilot-cli-vs-qwen-code.md)\n- [goose vs Kilo Code CLI](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/goose-vs-kilo-code-cli.md)\n- [goose vs Qwen Code](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/goose-vs-qwen-code.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 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- [Kiro CLI vs Qwen Code](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kiro-cli-vs-qwen-code.md)\n- [OpenAI Codex vs Qwen Code](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/openai-codex-vs-qwen-code.md)\n- [OpenCode vs Qwen Code](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/opencode-vs-qwen-code.md)\n- [OpenHands vs Qwen Code](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/openhands-vs-qwen-code.md)\n- [Prime Agent vs Qwen Code](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/prime-agent-vs-qwen-code.md)\n- [Kilo Code CLI vs Paperclip](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-paperclip.md)\n- [Paperclip vs Qwen Code](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/paperclip-vs-qwen-code.md)\n", "meta": { "attribution": "Anchor Terminal (https://www.anchorterminal.com)", "docs": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/docs/", "generatedAt": "2026-10-09", "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" }, "page": { "breadcrumbs": [ { "name": "Home", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/" }, { "name": "Compare", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/" }, { "name": "Kilo Code CLI vs Qwen Code", "url": "" } ], "description": "Kilo Code CLI scores 75.4 (BB) on agent readiness against Qwen Code's 72.4 (BB), and leads in 3 of 7 scored categories. Qwen Code leads on agent ergonomics and payments \u0026 pricing. Both do agent harness. Category scores, facts, verdicts and agent notes side by side.", "facts": [ "Kilo Code CLI BB 75.4", "Qwen Code BB 72.4", "scores" ], "h1": "Kilo Code CLI vs Qwen Code", "image": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/assets/og/compare-kilo-code-cli-vs-qwen-code.png", "path": "/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-qwen-code", "published": "2026-10-01", "section": "tools", "title": "Kilo Code CLI vs Qwen Code for AI agents, BB 75.4 vs BB 72.4", "toc": null, "updated": "2026-10-09", "url": "https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/kilo-code-cli-vs-qwen-code" }, "tokens": { "markdown": 2500, "slim": 580 }, "version": 1 }