kimi-cli
Kimi Code CLI is your next CLI agent.
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, with conditions. Kimi CLI is actively maintained, has low install friction, and offers genuine utility for terminal-based development workflows—especially if you want AI assistance without leaving the shell or IDE. However, install it with awareness that the project is explicitly transitioning to Kimi Code CLI; the maintainers recommend migration. Verify the license before use in proprietary contexts, and confirm that the 29 runtime dependencies align with your environment constraints. Best suited for developers already comfortable with terminal-first workflows.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires Python 3.12 or later.
- Some features (VS Code integration, Zsh plugin, MCP support) depend on external tools or configuration.
- Low install friction with a pure-Python wheel.
License · maintenance · safety
(unclear) — License treatment is unclear—no SPDX identifier or raw license text is available in the package metadata. Verify the actual license before use in proprietary or restricted contexts.
last release 2026-07-16 (29 days)
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 310,451 downloads/mo, #7,745 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install kimi-cli
kimi
# Then send /login to authenticate, or use 'kimi acp' to run as an Agent Client Protocol server.- Exact license terms and any restrictions on commercial use or redistribution.
- Whether the gradual wind-down of this project affects bug fixes or security updates.
- System requirements for standalone binary builds (if applicable to your use case).
- Whether all 29 runtime dependencies are required for basic CLI operation or only for specific features.
What it is and what it does
Kimi CLI is a terminal-based AI agent designed to assist with software development workflows. It can read and edit code files, execute shell commands, fetch and search web content, and autonomously adjust its actions during execution. The agent runs interactively in your terminal and can be toggled into shell command mode via keyboard shortcut, allowing you to run commands without leaving the interface.
The package integrates with multiple development environments: it works as a standalone CLI, can be embedded in VS Code via extension, supports the Agent Client Protocol for IDE integration (Zed, JetBrains), and includes Zsh shell integration. It also supports Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers for extended tool access. However, the project is in transition—the maintainers are moving users toward Kimi Code CLI as the next-generation version, and this package will be gradually wound down, though existing installations and documentation remain available.
Use it for
- Automate repetitive code editing and refactoring tasks directly from the terminal without switching to an editor.
- Execute and debug shell commands with AI assistance, including planning complex multi-step operations.
- Fetch and analyze web content or search results as part of development research workflows.
- Integrate AI-assisted development into Zsh shell workflows via the plugin for seamless agent mode toggling.
- Connect external tools and services via MCP server configuration to extend the agent's capabilities.
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, with conditions.
Kimi CLI is actively maintained, has low install friction, and offers genuine utility for terminal-based development workflows—especially if you want AI assistance without leaving the shell or IDE. However, install it with awareness that the project is explicitly transitioning to Kimi Code CLI; the maintainers recommend migration. Verify the license before use in proprietary contexts, and confirm that the 29 runtime dependencies align with your environment constraints. Best suited for developers already comfortable with terminal-first workflows.
Install
kimi-cli on PyPI
Before you install
Low install friction with a pure-Python wheel. Active maintenance as of 29 days ago. However, the project is explicitly transitioning to Kimi Code CLI; the documentation notes this project will be gradually wound down, so long-term support is uncertain.
Requires Python 3.12 or later. Some features (VS Code integration, Zsh plugin, MCP support) depend on external tools or configuration.
License in practice
License treatment is unclear—no SPDX identifier or raw license text is available in the package metadata. Verify the actual license before use in proprietary or restricted contexts.
Quickstart
pip install kimi-cli
kimi
# Then send /login to authenticate, or use 'kimi acp' to run as an Agent Client Protocol server.Verify before relying
- Exact license terms and any restrictions on commercial use or redistribution.
- Whether the gradual wind-down of this project affects bug fixes or security updates.
- System requirements for standalone binary builds (if applicable to your use case).
- Whether all 29 runtime dependencies are required for basic CLI operation or only for specific features.
Package facts
| License | Not declared unclear |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.12 |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | 29 packagesagent-client-protocolaiofilesaiohttptyperkosongloguruprompt-toolkitpillowpyyamlrichripgrepystreamingjsontrafilaturalxmltenacityfastmcppydantichttpxpykaosbatrachian-toadtomlkitjinja2pyobjc-framework-cocoafastapiuvicornscalar-fastapiwebsocketskeyringsetproctitle |
| Maintenance | Actively maintained 29 days since the last release |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 310,451 / month, #7,745 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
Evidence: kimi_cli-1.49.0-py3-none-any.whl
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