Kimi Code CLI

What is Kimi Code CLI?

Kimi Code CLI is the command-line way to use Kimi Code, the developer service that Moonshot AI includes with Kimi membership. From a terminal it can read code, edit files and run commands, and the same service is also offered through a Desktop app and a VS Code extension. Subscribers can generate an API key to plug the Kimi Code models into other tools, and the help pages say it works alongside Claude Code and VS Code. Usage from the CLI, the VS Code extension, the Desktop app and third-party tools is counted against a single quota, which includes a rolling 5-hour rate window and a monthly credit pool. Kimi Code starts at the Plus membership, listed at $15 per month with annual billing, and the Pro, Max and Ultra plans add more credits and concurrency. When the quota runs out, an optional Extra Usage balance can be topped up and spent instead.

Use cases

• Edit and refactor code from the terminal
• Run shell commands through an agent
• Load a large codebase into a long context
• Use Kimi models inside other coding tools
• Top up usage when quota runs out
• Compare Kimi membership tiers for coding

Who it's for

• Developers
• Terminal users
• Kimi members

Why use Kimi Code CLI

• Coding access comes bundled with a Kimi membership, so one subscription covers the web app and the coding tools.
• A single shared quota applies whether you work in the terminal, in VS Code or through an API key, which keeps usage easy to track.
• Extra Usage lets you keep working after the quota is reached instead of waiting for a refresh.
• The Kimi Code Console shows remaining quota and rate-limit status so you can plan heavy sessions.

Kimi Code CLI features

• Code reading, file editing and command execution from the CLI
• Also available as a Desktop app and a VS Code extension
• API key for using Kimi Code models in third-party tools
• 1M-token context window for whole-codebase work
• Rolling 5-hour rate window on new plans, with no weekly limit
• One quota shared across CLI, VS Code, Desktop and API keys
• Optional Extra Usage balance with a monthly spending cap
• Console for checking quota, rate limits, API keys and devices

Kimi Code CLI integrations

• Claude Code
• VS Code

How to get started with Kimi Code CLI

1. Choose a Kimi membership at Plus or above, since the Go plan does not include Kimi Code.
2. Install the CLI and run /login to link the device to your Kimi account.
3. Start a session in your project and give the agent a coding task.
4. Watch quota and rate limits in the Kimi Code Console, and enable Extra Usage if you need more headroom.

Kimi Code CLI limitations

• Kimi Code needs a Plus or higher plan; the Go plan has no coding quota
• Monthly credits are shared across Kimi features and do not roll over
• Devices inactive for over 30 days are unbound until you run /login again
• Extra Usage is billed in RMB and top-ups start at 25 RMB

Kimi Code CLI pricing

Kimi Code CLI is open source, so you can use and self-host it for free. Paid plans start at $15 per month, according to the official pricing page on 24 Oct 2026.

Kimi Code CLI plans

• Plus

  $15/month

  billed annually at $180

  • Kimi Code available
  • Agent Swarm
  • Deep Research and website deployment

• Pro

  $31/month

  billed annually at $372

  • 2x agent credits
  • Goal mode for autonomous work
  • Access to K3.1 Pro Highspeed
  • Kimi Code available

• Max

  $79/month

  billed annually at $948

  • 5x agent credits
  • Up to 1M tokens of context
  • Access to K3.1 Pro Highspeed
  • Kimi Code available

• Ultra

  $159/month

  billed annually at $1,908

  • 10x agent credits
  • Up to 1M tokens of context
  • Goal mode for autonomous work
  • Kimi Code available

Plans as listed on the official pricing page on 24 Oct 2026. Prices can change and may vary by country or exclude tax. Check the official pricing page.

Kimi Code CLI alternatives

The main Kimi Code CLI alternatives listed on Debuly are Claude Code, Gemini CLI, Qwen Code, OpenCode, Aider and Augment Code. The table compares pricing and platforms; order is A–Z.

1. Ai

   Aider

   Open-source AI pair programming tool that runs in your terminal and edits code in your local git repository using the LLM you choose.

   CodingDeveloper platforms
   Open sourceVisit Aider (official site)
2. 

   Augment Code

   Coding agent platform with a codebase Context Engine, Cosmos cloud agents and the Auggie CLI, priced as flat team plans plus usage.

   CodingAutomation and agentsDeveloper platforms
   PaidVisit Augment Code (official site)
3. 

   Claude Code

   Anthropic's coding agent that fixes bugs, writes tests and runs migrations from your terminal, IDE, desktop app, web or Slack.

   CodingAutomation and agentsDeveloper platforms
   PaidVisit Claude Code (official site)
4. 

   Gemini CLI

   Open-source command-line agent from Google that runs Gemini models in your terminal to read, edit and automate work in local projects.

   CodingAutomation and agentsDeveloper platforms
   Open sourceVisit Gemini CLI (official site)
5. 

   OpenCode

   Open-source AI coding agent for terminal, desktop and IDE, with optional low-cost Go model subscriptions and a team Console

   CodingDeveloper platformsAutomation and agents
   FreemiumVisit OpenCode (official site)
6. 

   Qwen Code

   Free open-source coding agent from the Qwen team that runs in a terminal, IDE, desktop app or chat and works with many model providers.

   CodingDeveloper platformsAutomation and agents
   Open sourceVisit Qwen Code (official site)

Kimi Code CLI FAQ

Sources & verification

Facts on this page come from the official sources below, each with the date we read it. Written by Debuly; the vendor did not review this page.

Image credits

• Logo: from kimi.com · fetched 23 Oct 2026 · Vendor trademark, used only to identify the product; removed on request
• Cover: none collected yet, so a generated tile is shown.

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