# Kilo Code

> Kilo Code (v7.8.15, October 2026) is an open-source coding agent available as a VS Code extension, a JetBrains plugin and a CLI (kilo), which is a fork of OpenCode. It has Code, Plan, Ask and Debug agents plus custom agents, inline autocomplete, terminal and browser control, MCP servers and a marketplace for skills and plugins. Run it with your own provider, Kilo's gateway (500+ models at provider pricing) or local models via Ollama, which the docs say need a powerful machine. kilo run --auto runs it headless in CI. A hosted Cloud Agent and PR code reviews are optional.

- Repository: https://github.com/Kilo-Org/kilocode
- Official docs: https://kilo.ai/docs
- Checked: 2026-10-21

## What it replaces
- Claude Code: Edit code across a repo from the terminal with an AI agent, Run commands and tests, Use the agent inside VS Code or JetBrains, Connect tools and data through MCP, Run the agent headless in scripts or CI (GitHub Actions) (partial). Covers the terminal agent, IDE plugins, MCP and CI runs; no documented commit or pull request workflow beyond hosted PR code reviews.
  - Use it instead of paying for Claude Code? Personal use: Yes. Business: Yes.
- Cursor: Multi-line tab completion and next-edit prediction, Let an agent plan and edit across many files, Run terminal commands and tests from the agent, Ask questions about your whole codebase, Connect tools and data through MCP, Run agents in the cloud in the background (partial). An extension for VS Code and JetBrains rather than its own editor; the Cloud Agent runs on Kilo's hosted service.
  - Use it instead of paying for Cursor? Personal use: Yes. Business: Yes.

## Facts, with sources

| Question | Status | Answer | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Runs on my machine? | Confirmed | Yes, the extension and CLI run on your machine; an optional hosted Cloud Agent also exists | https://github.com/Kilo-Org/kilocode#readme | 2026-10-21 |
| Code licence | Confirmed | MIT | https://github.com/Kilo-Org/kilocode/blob/main/LICENSE | 2026-10-21 |
| Model weights licence | Confirmed | No separate model weights | https://github.com/Kilo-Org/kilocode#readme | 2026-10-21 |
| Commercial use | Confirmed | MIT allows commercial use with attribution | https://github.com/Kilo-Org/kilocode#license | 2026-10-21 |
| Paid services needed? | Partial | Not required with local models via Ollama (no API key needed); Kilo Gateway credits, cloud model keys, Cloud Agent and Code Reviews are optional | https://kilo.ai/docs/ai-providers/ollama | 2026-10-21 |
| Hardware | Confirmed | No stated needs with cloud models; local models via Ollama need a GPU with 24GB+ VRAM or a Mac with 32GB+ unified RAM | https://kilo.ai/docs/ai-providers/ollama | 2026-10-21 |
| Operating systems | Confirmed | CLI binaries for Windows, macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel) and Linux (x64 and ARM); extensions run wherever VS Code or JetBrains IDEs run | https://github.com/Kilo-Org/kilocode#installation | 2026-10-21 |
| Setup effort | Confirmed | Easy; install the VS Code or JetBrains extension from the marketplace, or the CLI with one npm or curl command | https://github.com/Kilo-Org/kilocode#installation | 2026-10-21 |

GitHub: 27695 stars, 3287 forks, last push 2026-10-21, archived: no.
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Source: RepoQuarry (https://repoquarry.dev/projects/kilo-code). Data licence: CC BY 4.0. Quotes are from project documentation and belong to their authors.