Kilo Code is an open-source, model-agnostic coding agent that runs as an editor extension and as a command line. The project started as a fork of Roo Code and went through an extension rebuild; in 2026 it was acquired by Anaconda, now the maintainer.
What it’s for
- Implementing multi-step coding tasks inside the editor or the terminal
- Switching between specialized agents depending on the task, such as planning, reviewing or debugging
- Running subagents in parallel, with isolation per workspace
- Reviewing changes through checkpoints and diffs before accepting
How it works
- The agent is model-agnostic and accepts your own key or the service’s own gateway
- Permissions can be configured per action, with allow, ask or deny options
- The extension integrates with the MCP protocol for tools and context
- The current base was rebuilt on a known agent server, inheriting part of the ecosystem
Where it runs
- VS Code and derivatives, as an extension
- JetBrains IDEs, through a dedicated plugin
- Command line in the terminal
- Additional surfaces offered by the vendor, such as web and messaging integrations
Availability and licensing
- The extension and CLI are open source under the MIT license
- Associated hosted services are proprietary
- You can use models on your own, without depending on the vendor gateway
How it differs
- It combines specialized agents and parallel execution with change isolation
- Governance changed with the Anaconda acquisition, which changes the provider on the entry
- It is a fork of an earlier project, with a recent extension rebuild
Things to note
- The acquisition is a governance fact; do not confuse it with a functionality change
- Older extension versions were marked as legacy
- The agent runs commands and edits files; reviewing permissions is part of the flow