Kilo Code

What is Kilo Code?

Kilo Code is an open source AI coding agent that runs inside VS Code, JetBrains IDEs, and your terminal. It writes, debugs, refactors, and reviews code, automates multi-step tasks across your repo, and gives you direct access to 500+ AI models — including Claude, GPT, Gemini, DeepSeek, and local models via Ollama or LM Studio. Unlike closed alternatives, every prompt is visible, the source is Apache-2.0 licensed, and you can bring your own API keys at provider rates with no markup.

Is Kilo Code free?

Yes. The VS Code extension, JetBrains plugin, and CLI are free to install and open source under the Apache-2.0 license. You can use Kilo with free models, bring your own API keys at zero markup, or top up pay-as-you-go credits that work across every surface — IDE, CLI, Cloud Agents, and App Builder. There is no mandatory subscription and no fixed seat price for individual developers.

How do I install Kilo Code?

Install the Kilo extension from the VS Code Marketplace, the JetBrains Marketplace, or install the CLI with a single command. Sign in once with your Kilo account to sync settings and credits across every surface. You can also start from kilo.ai/get-started, which walks you through picking your editor and the first run.

What IDEs and platforms does Kilo support?

Kilo Code runs in VS Code and every VS Code-based editor (including Cursor forks and Windsurf), in all JetBrains IDEs (IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, WebStorm, GoLand, Rider, RubyMine, CLion, and more), and as a standalone CLI in any terminal. It also powers Cloud Agents and App Builder in the browser, and ships a native Slack integration for team workflows.

Which AI models does Kilo Code support?

Kilo gives you access to 500+ AI models through one unified interface: Anthropic Claude (Sonnet, Opus, Haiku), OpenAI GPT-4o and GPT-5, Google Gemini, DeepSeek, Mistral, xAI Grok, Qwen, Llama, and more via Kilo Gateway. You can also bring your own API keys for any provider, or run fully local models through Ollama or LM Studio when you need to keep code on your machine.

How does pricing work and can I bring my own API key?

Kilo Code charges zero markup on AI token usage. You can bring your own API keys for OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Groq, and any OpenAI-compatible provider, and pay those providers directly at list prices. If you prefer a single bill, top up the Kilo gateway balance pay-as-you-go and pay the same provider rate. Kilo Pass subscribers get bonus credits on top of what they pay.

How does Kilo handle code privacy and data?

Kilo doesn't collect telemetry by default and never trains on your code. Prompts and completions are passed directly to the model provider you pick, never stored for training. You can run 100% local models through Ollama or LM Studio to keep code on your machine, and teams get enterprise controls including SSO, audit logs, SOC 2 Type II certification, and data-residency controls.

What agent modes does Kilo Code have?

Kilo ships with five specialized modes: Code (writes and edits production code), Architect (plans features and designs systems before touching code), Debug (traces errors and proposes fixes), Ask (answers questions about your codebase), and Orchestrator (coordinates multi-step tasks across other modes). You can also define custom modes with your own system prompts, tool permissions, and model choice.