Terminal-based coding agent
Kimi Code is an AI coding agent that runs in the terminal. It is built to work on real codebases, not just answer single prompts. [C1]
Kimi Code guide
Kimi Code: The Terminal Coding Agent
Kimi Code is Moonshot AI's terminal-based AI coding agent. It runs in your terminal, can navigate and edit a codebase, and lets you switch the underlying model with the /model command. Its kimi-for-coding model ID automatically maps to the latest coding backend — currently Kimi K2.7 Code — and you can also select Kimi K3. This page collects the verified facts about Kimi Code from official sources. [C1, C2]
Overview
What Kimi Code is
Kimi Code is a coding agent you run in the terminal rather than a single model. It is separate from the Kimi K3 and Kimi K2.7 Code models: those are the large language models, while Kimi Code is the agent product that can use them. Moonshot AI also offers the models directly through the Kimi API. [C1, C2]
Because Kimi Code is a distinct product from the models, this guide focuses on the agent itself — what it is, how to install it, how to switch models, and how it relates to Kimi K3 and K2.7 Code. For model specifications, see the dedicated Kimi K3 and Kimi K2.7 Code guides.
Key features
Key Features of Kimi Code
All capability descriptions are based on official Kimi Code and Kimi API documentation, each with a dated access check.
Model switching with /model
Use the /model command to switch the underlying model. The kimi-for-coding model ID automatically maps to the latest coding backend (currently Kimi K2.7 Code), and Kimi K3 can also be selected. [C1, C2]
Standard and high-speed coding models
Kimi Code documents two membership model IDs: kimi-for-coding (standard tier, full coding capability, available to all members) and kimi-for-coding-highspeed (faster output, same coding capability, requires a higher membership tier). [C1]
Built-in subagents
Kimi Code includes built-in coder, explore, and plan subagents for different coding tasks. [C1]
MCP support
Kimi Code supports the Model Context Protocol (MCP) for connecting external tools and data sources. [C1]
Plan mode
A plan mode is available for reviewing the agent's approach before it edits code. [C1]
Install & setup
How to install and run Kimi Code
These fields come from the official Kimi Code documentation and may change as the product evolves.
| Field | Value | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Install methods | Install script, Homebrew, or npm; provides the kimi executable | C1 |
| Where it runs | In your terminal, against a local codebase | C1 |
| Default coding model | K2.7 Code with thinking enabled by default; switch with /model | C1, C2 |
| Editor integration | ACP editor integration (e.g. Zed, JetBrains) | C1 |
Models
Model IDs and /model switching
Kimi Code exposes model IDs you select with the /model command. The coding IDs map to the latest coding backend.
| Model ID | Tier | Detail |
|---|---|---|
kimi-for-coding | Standard | Baseline output speed, full coding capability, available to all Kimi Code members. Automatically maps to the latest coding backend (currently Kimi K2.7 Code). [C1] |
kimi-for-coding-highspeed | High-speed | Faster output with the same coding capability; requires a higher membership tier (Allegretto or above). [C1] |
kimi-k3 (via /model) | Flagship | Moonshot AI's flagship model can also be selected in Kimi Code. See the Kimi K3 guide for its specifications. [C2, C3] |
Agent vs models
How Kimi Code relates to Kimi K3 and K2.7 Code
Kimi Code is the terminal coding agent; Kimi K3 and Kimi K2.7 Code are large language models. Kimi Code can use these models as its backend. [C1, C2]
The kimi-for-coding model ID automatically maps to the latest coding backend, currently Kimi K2.7 Code. Kimi K3 is also selectable via /model. [C1, C2]
The same models are also available directly through the Kimi API for developers who do not use the Kimi Code agent. [C1, C2]
For model specifications, see the Kimi K3 guide, the Kimi K2.7 Code guide, and the K3 vs K2.7 Code comparison.
Known limitations
What to keep in mind
| Limitation | Detail |
|---|---|
| Documentation primarily in Chinese | The official Kimi Code documentation at kimi.com/code/docs is published primarily in Simplified Chinese; some sections may not have an English version as of this writing. |
| Membership tier details change | Which models require which membership tier (e.g. Allegretto) and the exact high-speed multiplier are product details that may change; confirm against the current official docs. |
| Kimi Code feature set evolves | Subagents, plan mode, and editor integrations are under active development; the exact feature list may differ from the accessed documentation. |
| Not independently tested by OpenK3 | OpenK3 has not independently benchmarked Kimi Code's output speed or coding quality; capability descriptions are from official sources. |
FAQ
Common questions about Kimi Code
What is Kimi Code?
Kimi Code is Moonshot AI's terminal-based AI coding agent. It runs in your terminal, can navigate and edit a codebase, and lets you switch the underlying model with the /model command. It is a separate product from the Kimi K3 and K2.7 Code models. [C1]
How is Kimi Code different from Kimi K3?
Kimi K3 is a large language model. Kimi Code is the terminal coding agent product that can use models like K3 or K2.7 Code as its backend. You select the model inside Kimi Code with the /model command. [C1, C2]
How do I change the model in Kimi Code?
Use the /model command to open model selection. The kimi-for-coding model ID automatically maps to the latest coding backend (currently Kimi K2.7 Code), and kimi-for-coding-highspeed offers faster output on higher membership tiers. Kimi K3 can also be selected. [C1]
Which model does Kimi Code use by default?
Kimi Code uses the kimi-for-coding model ID, which maps to the latest coding backend — currently Kimi K2.7 Code — with thinking enabled by default. [C1, C2]
How do I install Kimi Code?
Kimi Code can be installed via an install script, Homebrew, or npm, and provides the kimi executable that runs in your terminal. See the official Kimi Code documentation for the current install commands. [C1]
Is Kimi Code free?
Kimi Code uses membership tiers. The kimi-for-coding model is available to all members, while kimi-for-coding-highspeed requires a higher tier (Allegretto or above). Confirm current pricing and tier details in the official Kimi Code documentation. [C1]
Related
Related OpenK3 pages
Official sources
Documents used for this guide
Each source below includes its own access date.
- [C1]Kimi Code 文档 (Kimi Code official documentation)Accessed August 2, 2026
https://www.kimi.com/code/docs/ - [C2]Kimi API Platform — Model ListAccessed August 2, 2026
https://platform.kimi.com/docs/models - [C3]Kimi K3 Quickstart Guide — Kimi API documentationAccessed July 24, 2026
https://platform.kimi.com/docs/guide/kimi-k3-quickstart