Moonshot AI has released Kimi Code CLI, an open-source coding agent that runs in the terminal. The tool reads and edits code, runs shell commands, searches files, and fetches web pages. It then chooses its next step based on the feedback it receives. The project is MIT-licensed and lives on GitHub..
Kimi Code CLI is the successor to the older kimi-cli. The new agent is written in TypeScript and distributed via npm. It works out of the box with Moonshot AI’s Kimi models. It can also be configured to use other compatible providers.
What is Kimi Code CLI
Kimi Code CLI is an AI agent for software development and terminal operations. It can implement new features, fix bugs, and complete refactors. It can also explore an unfamiliar codebase and answer architecture questions. Batch file processing, builds, and chained test runs are supported too.
The execution model is feedback-driven. The agent plans steps, modifies code, runs tests, and reports its actions. Read-only operations run automatically by default. For file edits or shell commands, the agent asks for confirmation first. This approval flow keeps risky actions under developer control.
The CLI itself is free and MIT-licensed. Model access requires Kimi Code OAuth or a Moonshot AI Open Platform API key.
Key Features
Moonshot lists several features aimed at long, focused agent sessions:
Single-binary distribution. One command installs it, with no Node.js setup required.Fast startup. Moonshot says the TUI is ready in milliseconds.Purpose-built TUI. The interface is tuned for extended agent sessions.Video input. Drop a screen recording or demo clip into the chat.AI-native MCP configuration. Add and authenticate Model Context Protocol servers via/mcp-config
.Subagents for parallel work. Dispatch built-incoder
,explore
, andplan
subagents in isolated contexts.Lifecycle hooks. Run local commands to gate tool calls, audit decisions, or trigger notifications.
Installation and First Run
Two installation paths exist. The official script needs no pre-installed Node.js.
On macOS or Linux, run the install script:
curl -fsSL https://code.kimi.com/kimi-code/install.sh | bash
On Windows, use PowerShell:
irm https://code.kimi.com/kimi-code/install.ps1 | iex
The global npm install requires Node.js 24.15.0 or later:
npm install -g @moonshot-ai/kimi-code
Verify the binary, then open a project and start the interactive UI:
kimi --version
cd your-project
kimi
On first launch, type /login
inside the UI. You can choose Kimi Code OAuth or a Moonshot AI Open Platform API key. To run one instruction without the UI, use kimi -p "your task"
. To resume the previous session, add -C
.
Use Cases
Understanding a project: Ask for an architecture overview and a module dependency diagram.** Implementing a feature**: Describe the signature, options, and acceptance criteria up front.** Fixing a bug**: Give the symptom, reproduction steps, and expected behavior together.** Writing tests and refactoring**: Extract repeated patterns, then run tests to confirm behavior.** One-off automation:Analyze logs and output call counts with p50 and p99 latencies. Scheduled tasks**: Ask the agent to set reminders or recurring checks via cron.
Plan mode is available through Shift-Tab
or kimi --plan
. It outputs a research plan before touching files. For safe batch work, --yolo
or /yolo
skips approval prompts. The /fork
command creates an experimental branch you can abandon. The /compact
command compresses context to free up tokens. For large investigations, the main agent can dispatch subagents in parallel.
How Kimi Code CLI Compares
Kimi Code CLI joins several established terminal coding agents. The table below compares it with three of them. Competitor details reflect mid-2026 and can change quickly.
| Attribute | Kimi Code CLI | Claude Code | OpenAI Codex CLI | Gemini CLI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Developer | Moonshot AI | Anthropic | OpenAI | |
| Backing model | Kimi models | Claude models | GPT-5.3-Codex | Gemini 2.5 Pro |
| Language / runtime | TypeScript | Node.js | Rust | TypeScript |
| Install | Script or npm (Node.js ≥ 24.15.0) | Native installer or npm | npm / native | npm single binary |
| MCP support | Yes (/mcp-config ) |
Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Subagents | Yes (coder , explore , plan ) |
Yes | Yes | No (sequential) |
| Plan mode | Yes (Shift-Tab ) |
Yes | Yes | Yes |
| IDE integration | ACP (Zed, JetBrains) | VS Code, JetBrains | VS Code, IDEs | VS Code (Code Assist) |
| License | MIT | Proprietary | Open source | Apache 2.0 |
All four agents support the Model Context Protocol. They differ on backing model, language, license, and orchestration. Kimi Code CLI and Codex CLI both ship native subagents. Gemini CLI runs tasks sequentially without subagent support.
Key Takeaways
- Kimi Code CLI is an MIT-licensed terminal coding agent from Moonshot AI.
- It is written in TypeScript and installs via script or npm.
- Built-in
coder
,explore
, andplan
subagents run in isolated contexts. - MCP servers are configured conversationally through
/mcp-config
, not raw JSON. - It succeeds kimi-cli and migrates existing configuration and sessions.
Marktechpost’s Visual Explainer
Kimi Code CLI #
Moonshot AI’s open-source terminal coding agent that reads code, runs commands, and plans its next step.
- Runs in your terminal as an AI coding agent
- MIT-licensed · written in TypeScript · distributed via npm
- Works with Kimi models or other compatible providers
What Is Kimi Code CLI? #
- Reads and edits code, runs shell commands, searches files
- Fetches web pages and chooses the next step from feedback
- Read-only actions run automatically by default
- File edits and shell commands ask for confirmation first
Key Features #
- Single-binary distribution — no Node.js setup required
- Built-in
coder
,explore
, andplan
subagents - AI-native MCP configuration via
/mcp-config
- Lifecycle hooks and video input support
Install #
curl -fsSL https://code.kimi.com/kimi-code/install.sh | bash
irm https://code.kimi.com/kimi-code/install.ps1 | iex
npm install -g @moonshot-ai/kimi-code
First Run #
kimi --version
cd your-project
kimi
- Type
/login
→ Kimi Code OAuth or Moonshot API key kimi -p "your task"
runs one instruction without the UIkimi -C
resumes the previous session
Use Cases #
- Understand a project: architecture overview and dependency map
- Implement features with clear signatures and acceptance criteria
- Fix bugs from symptom, reproduction steps, and expected behavior
- Write tests, refactor, and automate log analysis or batch edits
Modes & Commands #
- Plan mode:
Shift-Tab
orkimi --plan
--yolo
or/yolo
skips approvals for safe batch work/fork
creates an experimental branch you can abandon/compact
compresses context to free up tokens
How It Compares #
| Attribute | Kimi Code CLI | Claude Code | Codex CLI | Gemini CLI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Kimi models | Claude models | GPT-5.3-Codex | Gemini 2.5 Pro |
| Language | TypeScript | Node.js | Rust | TypeScript |
| Subagents | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| License | MIT | Proprietary | Open source | Apache 2.0 |
Key Takeaways #
- MIT-licensed terminal coding agent from Moonshot AI
- Written in TypeScript; installs via script or npm
coder
,explore
,plan
subagents in isolated contexts- MCP configured conversationally, not raw JSON
- Succeeds kimi-cli; migrates config and sessions
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Michal Sutter is a data science professional with a Master of Science in Data Science from the University of Padova. With a solid foundation in statistical analysis, machine learning, and data engineering, Michal excels at transforming complex datasets into actionable insights.
- Michal Sutter
- Michal Sutter
- Michal Sutter
- Michal Sutter