Kilo Code

What is Kilo Code?

Kilo Code is an AI coding agent for VS Code and JetBrains that grew out of the open-source autonomous agent ecosystem. It offers agentic coding where you describe a task and the tool plans and executes the work, with options for chat, edit and agent modes.

Its pitch is freedom of choice: you can connect many different model providers, including budget-friendly ones, and use the extension without paying a mandatory subscription. The project maintains an extension marketplace where users can add extra tools and capabilities.

Being available on both VS Code and JetBrains makes it one of the few agentic tools that works for developers who live in IntelliJ-based IDEs as well as those in VS Code.

Key Features

• Autonomous agent mode for multi-step coding tasks
• Runs in both VS Code and JetBrains IDEs
• Works with many model providers via your own API keys
• Chat, edit and agent modes for different workflows
• Extension marketplace with community-built tools
• File and terminal access with permission controls
• Diff review for every change the agent makes

How to get started

Install Kilo Code from the VS Code marketplace or the JetBrains plugin marketplace. Add your model API key, open a project, and start a chat or switch to agent mode to have the tool work through a task.

• Install Kilo Code from your IDE's marketplace
• Choose a model provider and add your API key
• Open your project in VS Code or JetBrains
• Start with chat mode to ask questions about your code
• Switch to agent mode for larger, multi-step tasks

Use cases

• Implementing features across an entire repository
• Fixing bugs with an agent that can run your code
• Generating tests and documentation
• Refactoring code while reviewing each change
• Working in JetBrains IDEs with the same agent experience as VS Code
• Using budget-friendly models to keep costs low

Pricing and licensing

Kilo Code is open source and free to use, with the core extension available in the marketplaces. You connect your own model API keys, so day-to-day costs are whatever your model provider charges.

The project also offers optional paid plans for users who want extra features and support. Check the official website for the current plan structure.

Pros and cons

Kilo Code's strengths are breadth and accessibility: it covers both VS Code and JetBrains, supports a wide range of models, and keeps the core free. The extension marketplace adds flexibility that few competitors match.

The trade-offs are that it is a younger project in a fast-moving space, so features change quickly, and as with any agent you pay for model usage and sometimes for trial-and-error steps. Developers who want a battle-tested ecosystem might compare it carefully with older tools.

Alternatives

• Cline: the original open-source autonomous agent in VS Code
• Roo Code: customizable open-source fork of Cline
• Continue: open-source AI assistant for VS Code and JetBrains
• Aider: AI pair programming in the terminal
• Trae: AI-native IDE from ByteDance