Kilo

NewVerified

Open-source AI assistant that writes code in your IDE.

8.8 (56.726 score)

open-source

Overview

Kilo is an AI coding assistant built as an open-source project for developers using multiple IDEs. It helps write, debug, and refactor code through IDE integration. The tool is designed for developers who want an alternative to proprietary coding assistants while maintaining full transparency over their code.

Pros

Fully open-source codebase auditable by community
Works across multiple IDE platforms including VS Code
No telemetry or data collection by default
Local execution option keeps code private

✕ Cons

Limited community adoption compared to established tools
Fewer training models and customization options available
Documentation and tutorials are less comprehensive

Key Features

Code generation and completion

Multi-IDE support

Open-source codebase

Local model execution option

Code debugging assistance

Refactoring suggestions

Use Cases

Developers who want transparent, auditable AI toolingTeams requiring code to remain on-premiseOpen-source contributors extending the assistantEngineers evaluating AI tools without vendor lock-in

Best For

Open-source advocatesFull-stack developersDevOps engineersSelf-hosted solution seekers

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Kilo cost?▾

Kilo is open-source and free to use. You can self-host it or access community-maintained versions without licensing fees.

How difficult is it to set up Kilo?▾

Setup varies by deployment method. CLI integration is straightforward, while IDE plugin installation depends on your editor, but documentation is community-supported and configuration is typically quick.

Which IDEs and tools does Kilo integrate with?▾

Kilo supports multiple IDEs through native plugins and works via CLI for terminal-based workflows. Check the documentation for your specific editor's compatibility and integration method.

What are Kilo's main limitations?▾

As an open-source tool, support depends on community contributions, and feature completeness may lag behind proprietary alternatives. Performance and accuracy scale based on your local setup and model choice.

Who should use Kilo?▾

Kilo works best for developers who want open-source flexibility, prefer self-hosted solutions, code across multiple languages, and value community-driven development without vendor lock-in.