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What is kimi-code?

moonshotai/kimi-code — explained in plain English

Analysis updated 2026-05-18

234TypeScriptAudience · developerComplexity · 2/5LicenseSetup · easy

In one sentence

A terminal-based AI coding assistant from Moonshot AI that can read, edit, and run commands in your codebase from natural-language instructions.

Mindmap

mindmap
  root((repo))
    What it does
      Reads and edits project files
      Runs shell commands
      Fetches web pages
    Tech stack
      TypeScript
      Node.js
      pnpm
    Use cases
      Automate coding tasks from the terminal
      Use MCP servers for external data
      Dispatch coder explore and plan subagents
    Audience
      Developers
      Vibe coders
    Setup
      Single binary install
      Sign in with Moonshot account or API key

Code map

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filefunction / class

What do people build with it?

USE CASE 1

Describe a coding task in plain language and have the assistant carry it out step by step.

USE CASE 2

Connect external data sources through Model Context Protocol servers.

USE CASE 3

Dispatch focused coder, explore, or plan subagents on isolated pieces of a task.

USE CASE 4

Use lifecycle hooks to review or block actions before they run.

What is it built with?

TypeScriptNode.jspnpm

How does it compare?

moonshotai/kimi-code40rbidd3n/hydro0x01fastify/demo
Stars234229227
LanguageTypeScriptTypeScriptTypeScript
Last pushed2026-06-30
MaintenanceActive
Setup difficultyeasyhardmoderate
Complexity2/54/53/5
Audiencedevelopergeneraldeveloper

Figures from each repo's GitHub metadata at analysis time.

How do you get it running?

Difficulty · easy Time to first run · 5min

Installs as a single self-contained binary with no Node.js requirement to run.

Use, copy, and modify freely for any purpose, including commercial use, as long as you keep the copyright notice.

So what is it?

Kimi Code CLI is a terminal-based AI coding assistant made by Moonshot AI. You run it from the command line inside a code project, and it can read and modify files, run shell commands, search through your codebase, and fetch web pages. It decides what to do next based on what it observes, so you describe a task in plain language and it tries to carry it out step by step. It is designed to work with Moonshot AI's Kimi models by default, but can also connect to other compatible AI providers. Installation is a single command that downloads a self-contained binary. There is no Node.js installation required to run it, and no global package setup. It works on macOS, Linux, and Windows. Once installed, you run "kimi" in your project folder, sign in with a Moonshot account or an API key, and start giving it tasks in natural language. Several features are highlighted in the README. The tool accepts video input, so you can drop in a screen recording to show the agent something that is difficult to type out. It supports Model Context Protocol servers, which are a way of connecting AI tools to external data sources, and these can be configured conversationally through a /mcp-config command rather than by editing configuration files by hand. Built-in subagents called "coder", "explore", and "plan" can be dispatched to work on focused pieces of a task in isolation. Lifecycle hooks let you run local scripts at defined points, for example to review or block a particular action before it happens. The terminal interface is described as fast to start and built for long working sessions. The project is MIT-licensed and open source. Contributing requires Node.js 24.15 or newer and the pnpm package manager.

Copy-paste prompts

Prompt 1
Walk me through installing Kimi Code CLI and signing in with an API key.
Prompt 2
Explain how the coder, explore, and plan subagents differ in this tool.
Prompt 3
Help me configure an MCP server using the /mcp-config command.
Prompt 4
What is a lifecycle hook and how would I use one to review changes before they happen?

Frequently asked questions

What is kimi-code?

A terminal-based AI coding assistant from Moonshot AI that can read, edit, and run commands in your codebase from natural-language instructions.

What language is kimi-code written in?

Mainly TypeScript. The stack also includes TypeScript, Node.js, pnpm.

What license does kimi-code use?

Use, copy, and modify freely for any purpose, including commercial use, as long as you keep the copyright notice.

How hard is kimi-code to set up?

Setup difficulty is rated easy, with roughly 5min to a first successful run.

Who is kimi-code for?

Mainly developer.

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