Kilo Code
Open-source AI coding agent for VS Code, JetBrains, and CLI
About Kilo Code
Kilo Code is an open-source agentic coding platform that helps developers plan, build, and debug faster. It connects to 500+ AI models through OpenRouter and direct provider integrations at zero markup pricing, and features multi-mode workflows with specialized Architect, Coder, Debugger, and Orchestrator agents.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Completely open-source with transparent development on GitHub
- Zero markup pricing — pay exact provider rates for AI models
- Supports 500+ AI models including local LLMs via Ollama
- Multi-mode workflow (Architect, Coder, Debugger, Orchestrator) for structured development
- Lightweight and resource-efficient VS Code extension
- Full token visibility and cost tracking
Cons
- Context switching friction when Kilo auto-focuses newly created files
- Learning curve for understanding prompts, guardrails, and multi-mode workflows
- Occasional loops reported during complex code generation tasks
- Feature sprawl — voice commands, cloud agents, Slack bots may feel overwhelming for new users
Key Features
Multi-Mode Agents
Specialized modes for different tasks: Architect for planning, Coder for implementation, Debugger for fixing, and custom modes
Orchestrator Mode
Breaks complex tasks into coordinated subtasks across planner, coder, and debugger agents
Inline Autocomplete
Intelligent AI-powered code completions directly in your editor
500+ AI Models
Connect to Claude, GPT, Gemini, and hundreds more through OpenRouter and direct integrations
MCP Server Marketplace
Extend agent capabilities by discovering and connecting MCP servers
Voice Commands
Natural voice interaction with AI agents directly in your IDE
Zero Markup Pricing
Pay exact provider rates for AI models with no per-token commission or markup
Open Source
Fully open-source codebase on GitHub with active community and transparent development
Local LLM Support
Run models locally via Ollama and other local providers for privacy and cost savings
Token Visibility
Full transparency into token usage, costs, and what context is being sent to models
Pricing
- Full agent capabilities
- BYO API key
- All modes (Architect, Coder, Debugger)
- 500+ model access
- MCP server support
- Local LLM support
- Pre-loaded credits
- Zero markup on model costs
- No rate limiting
- Priority support
- Centralized billing
- Team management & roles
- Usage analytics
- Priority support
- Zero markup pricing
- Everything in Teams
- Custom integrations
- Dedicated support
- Security & compliance
- SLA guarantees
Best For
Rapid Prototyping
Use Orchestrator mode to break down complex features into subtasks and have specialized agents plan, implement, and debug automatically
Code Refactoring
Leverage the Architect and Coder modes to analyze existing code, plan improvements, and implement refactoring with full diff visibility
Local-First AI Coding
Run local LLMs via Ollama for privacy-sensitive projects while maintaining full agent capabilities without sending code to external APIs
Budget-Conscious AI Development
Use zero markup model pricing and token visibility to optimize AI-assisted coding costs across teams
Multi-Model Workflows
Switch between different AI providers and models for different tasks — use powerful models for architecture and lighter models for simple completions
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