Kilo Code is one of the fastest-growing open-source AI coding agents in 2026—an extension and CLI that turns VS Code, JetBrains, or your terminal into a multi-model agent harness with 500+ LLMs, MCP marketplace, and zero markup BYOK pricing.
If you saw it on Reddit after Roo Code shut down, on Hacker News debating Kilo Pass vs OpenRouter, or in an XDA review praising local LLM support—this guide answers what Kilo is, how it works, and the questions people actually ask online.
TL;DR
| Topic | Detail |
|---|---|
| What | Open-source agentic coding platform |
| Where | VS Code, JetBrains, CLI, cloud, mobile, Slack |
| Models | 500+ — switch mid-task, BYOK, no markup |
| License | Apache 2.0 extension; MIT CLI core |
| GitHub | Kilo-Org/kilocode — 21K+ stars |
| Pricing | Free + BYOK; Kilo Pass from $19/mo |
| Roo Code | Recommended successor after May 15, 2026 archive |
| Core | Rebuilt on OpenCode server (April 2026 GA) |
| Funding | $8M seed (Dec 2025); Sid Sijbrandij (GitLab co-founder) |
What Is Kilo Code?
Kilo Code is not a new IDE. It is an AI agent layer you install into tools you already use:
- VS Code Marketplace — primary surface
- JetBrains — IntelliJ, PyCharm, WebStorm
- CLI —
npm install -g @kilocode/cli - Cloud agents — long-running tasks off your machine
- Mobile + Slack — start tasks away from desk
Capabilities (official docs):
| Capability | Description |
|---|---|
| Code generation | Multi-file edits from natural language |
| Inline autocomplete | Ghost-text tab completion |
| Agents | Code, Ask, Plan, Debug (+ custom) |
| Terminal & browser | Bash + web automation |
| MCP marketplace | Extend agent with external tools |
| Checkpoints / snapshots | Git-based revert of agent edits |
| Code review | /local-review, inline diff badges |
| Agent Manager | Parallel agents in git worktrees |
Kilo's pitch: model freedom (pick Claude today, DeepSeek tomorrow), prompt transparency (see full context per request—no silent compression), and one portable core shared across IDE, CLI, and cloud.
History: Cline → Roo Code → Kilo
Understanding Kilo requires the fork lineage:
Cline (open-source VS Code agent)
└── Roo Code (3M installs, specialist modes)
└── Kilo Code (active fork + rebuild)
April 21, 2026: Roo Code creator Matt Rubens announced the Roo Code repo would archive May 15—the team going all-in on Roomote, a cloud agent product (early dev, no full public release yet).
Kilo's response: Rebuilt the VS Code extension on OpenCode—portable open-source server shared with CLI and cloud agents. Shipped GA April 2, 2026 with parallel tool calls, subagents, and Agent Manager (what's new docs).
For Roo users: Kilo is the officially recommended migration path—not Roomote, if you want to keep coding inside your editor without a new subscription product.
Built-In Agents (Formerly "Modes")
Kilo renamed Modes → Agents in the 2026 rebuild (using agents docs):
| Agent | Tool access | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| code (default) | Full — read, edit, bash, MCP | Implementation, debugging |
| ask | Read-only | Explaining codebase |
| plan | Read + bash (no writes) | Architecture, exploration |
| debug | Full | Troubleshooting |
Deprecated: Orchestrator mode—agents with full access now delegate to subagents natively. Custom agents supported via .kilo/agents/*.md.
Legacy v5.x pin: Need old Orchestrator or Memory Bank? Kilo still ships a Roo-derived v5.x extension you can pin (migration guide).
Pricing: BYOK, Kilo Pass, Teams
Free + BYOK (most Reddit power users)
- Extension/CLI: $0
- Bring keys from Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, DeepSeek, OpenRouter, Ollama
- Zero markup — pay provider list price
- New users often get $20 bonus credits on first top-up (promo varies)
Kilo Pass (optional managed credits)
From Kilo's Kilo Pass announcement:
| Plan | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | $19/mo | Paid credits roll over; bonus credits expire monthly |
| Pro | $49/mo | Higher bonus tier |
| Expert | $199/mo | Agent-heavy workflows |
| Teams | $15/user/mo | Shared modes, analytics, centralized billing |
HN debate (thread): Kilo Pass credits roll over (unlike some Cursor tiers), but they are tied to Kilo Gateway—for VS Code/CLI only, not a general sk-or-... API key like OpenRouter for your Python scripts.
Cost reality check
Heavy Claude Opus usage via BYOK can run $40–80/mo—comparable to Claude Code Max. DeepSeek / Gemini Flash routes can drop to $5–15/mo. Kilo's advantage is you choose the tradeoff, not the vendor.
Migrate from Roo Code (~10 minutes)
From Kilo's migration page:
# 1. Install extension
code --install-extension kilocode.Kilo-Code
# 2. Rename config (optional—wizard also handles this)
mv .roo .kilocode
# .roomodes → .kilocodemodes, .roorules → AGENTS.md patterns
# 3. Re-paste API keys (SecretStorage keys do NOT port)
| Roo file | Kilo equivalent |
|---|---|
.roorules | AGENTS.md or .kilocode/rules/ |
.roomodes | .kilocodemodes / .kilo/agents/ |
.roo/mcp.json | .kilocode/mcp.json |
| Checkpoints | Snapshots at ~/.local/share/kilo/snapshot/ |
Launch triggers an auto-migration wizard for most configs.
Kilo vs Cursor vs Claude Code
| Dimension | Kilo Code | Cursor | Claude Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form factor | Extension + CLI | AI-native IDE | Terminal agent |
| Open source | Yes (Apache/MIT) | No | No |
| Models | 500+ BYOK | Proprietary routing | Anthropic-first |
| Markup | Zero on BYOK | Subscription bundles | $20–200/mo plans |
| MCP | Built-in marketplace | Supported | Supported |
| Local LLMs | Ollama, custom | Limited | Via Codex OSS patterns |
| Best for | Model freedom, multi-IDE | Deepest editor AI UX | Best Claude terminal flow |
Cross-read: Claude Code commands · Codex OSS models · Cursor alternatives mindset
Questions People Ask on Reddit, HN, and Forums
These come from Kilo's April 2026 FAQ, HN Kilo Pass threads, comparison sites, and migration discussions.
Setup and migration
Q: I upgraded and lost my custom profiles—where did they go?
A: Profiles were simplified. Star models in the model picker instead of maintaining profile layers.
Q: Where is Orchestrator mode?
A: Deprecated. Code/Plan/Debug agents spawn subagents automatically. Pin legacy v5.x if you need the old Orchestrator.
Q: Where did code indexing go?
A: Temporarily unavailable in the rebuilt extension—actively being rebuilt. Follow Kilo's GitHub issue tracker.
Q: Checkpoints disappeared?
A: Renamed to snapshots—Git-based, stored under ~/.local/share/kilo/snapshot/. Revert from chat via diff badges.
Q: Where is auto-approve / command allowlist?
A: Replaced by per-tool permissions (Allow / Ask / Deny) for bash, read, edit, glob, grep, etc.
Models and cost
Q: Can I use Ollama / local models?
A: Yes. Configure local providers in model settings; switch via dropdown without rebuilding workflow (XDA review).
Q: Is there an "auto" model that silently picks for me?
A: No—Kilo explicitly shows which model runs each request and displays context window usage. Transparency by design.
Q: Kilo Pass vs OpenRouter top-up?
A: OpenRouter gives a universal API key for any app. Kilo Pass credits work inside Kilo tools only—but bonus credits and rollover can beat rate-limited subscriptions if you stay in the Kilo ecosystem (HN).
Q: Which agent should use which model?
A: Settings → Models → Model per Mode (now "Model per Agent"). Star favorites for quick access.
Security and trust
Q: Is my code sent to Kilo's servers?
A: With BYOK, requests go to your chosen provider under their policy. Review Anthropic/OpenAI terms for your key. Enterprise tier adds SSO, audit logs, model allowlists.
Q: Can I inspect what the agent will run?
A: Yes—open source repo, visible prompts, granular bash permissions, diff review before commit.
vs other tools
Q: Kilo vs Cline?
A: Both open-source BYOK agents. Kilo adds JetBrains, cloud agents, Agent Manager, broader model catalog, and Roo migration path. Cline has longer install history.
Q: Should Roo users pick Roomote or Kilo?
A: Roomote = cloud PR reviews, Slack/GitHub triggers (new product). Kilo = keep coding in VS Code/JetBrains with local control. Roo's own migration post points to Kilo for editor users (RoboRhythms analysis).
Q: Does Roo Code stop working after May 15?
A: Installed versions keep running—no kill switch. You lose updates, bug fixes, and new model support. Migrate to Kilo for maintenance.
MCP and Agent Skills
Kilo ships an MCP Server Marketplace—browse and wire servers without hand-editing JSON for every integration. Same protocol as Claude Code MCP and Codex.
For repeatable workflows, pair Kilo with Agent Skills—portable SKILL.md folders discoverable at /skills on ExplainX.
Browse MCP servers: /mcp-servers
Quick Start
# VS Code: install kilocode.Kilo-Code from Marketplace
# CLI:
npm install -g @kilocode/cli
# Verify config
kilo config check
- Create account (optional if pure BYOK)
- Add provider key or select Kilo Pass
- Pick code agent → describe task
- Use Agent Manager for parallel worktree sessions
/local-reviewbefore opening PR
Docs: kilo.ai/docs/code-with-ai
Who Builds Kilo?
- Co-founder: Sid Sijbrandij (GitLab co-founder)
- Funding: $8M seed (December 2025)—Cota Capital, General Catalyst, Breakers, Quiet Capital, Tokyo Black
- Community: Discord
#vscode; 790+ open GitHub issues—actively shipping (v7.x prereleases)
Summary
Kilo Code is the open-source, model-agnostic answer to proprietary AI IDEs: 500+ LLMs, MCP marketplace, BYOK with zero markup, and a unified OpenCode core across VS Code, JetBrains, and CLI.
After Roo Code archived in May 2026, Kilo became the default editor-native migration path—while the Roo team builds Roomote for cloud workflows. Reddit and HN threads converge on the same questions: local models? yes; credits rollover? yes for paid, not bonus; vs Cursor? freedom vs integrated UX.
Try it: VS Code Marketplace · Extend it: /mcp-servers · Skills: /skills
Related Reading
- What is MCP? Complete Guide
- Claude Code Commands Reference
- Codex Open Source Models Guide
- Kaggle Agent Skills Whitepaper
- Browse Agent Skills
- Browse MCP Servers
Kilo Code features and pricing from kilo.ai, GitHub Kilo-Org/kilocode, Roo migration docs, Kilo Pass blog, and community threads (HN, Reddit-adjacent FAQs via cursor-alternatives.com, XDA, RoboRhythms) as of June 2026.