# How to Install Kimi CLI: One-Line Installer and Manual uv Setup

> Install Kimi CLI quickly with the one-line installer. This guide covers the automatic uv setup and manual installation for Python 3.13. Get started fast!

- Repository: [Moonshot AI/kimi-cli](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-cli)
- Tags: how-to-guide
- Published: 2026-07-19

---

**The fastest way to install Kimi CLI is to run the one-line installer `curl -LsSf https://code.kimi.com/install.sh | bash`, which automatically bootstraps the uv package manager and installs the tool for Python 3.13.**

Kimi CLI (also known as Kimi Code CLI) is MoonshotAI's open-source terminal interface for AI-assisted coding. This guide explains how to install kimi-cli using the official automated installer or the uv package manager directly, based on the source code in the `MoonshotAI/kimi-cli` repository.

## One-Line Automated Installation

The recommended method uses the official installer script located at [[`scripts/install.sh`](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-cli/blob/main/scripts/install.sh)](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-cli/blob/main/scripts/install.sh). This script handles the entire setup process, including the installation of **uv**—a fast, modern Python package manager—if it is not already present on your system.

Run the following command in your terminal:

```bash
curl -LsSf https://code.kimi.com/install.sh | bash

```

The installer performs three key operations defined in the source:

1. **Detects your download tool** – It checks for `curl` or `wget` availability ([lines 5–12](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-cli/blob/main/scripts/install.sh#L5-L12)).
2. **Installs uv if missing** – If uv is not found on your `PATH`, the script downloads and installs it; otherwise, it reuses the existing installation ([lines 19–24](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-cli/blob/main/scripts/install.sh#L19-L24)).
3. **Installs the package** – It executes `uv tool install --python 3.13 kimi-cli` to install the CLI targeting Python 3.13 ([line 31](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-cli/blob/main/scripts/install.sh#L31)).

Windows users can use the PowerShell equivalent:

```powershell
Invoke-RestMethod https://code.kimi.com/install.ps1 | Invoke-Expression

```

## Manual Installation with uv

If you already have **uv** installed and prefer to skip the automated script, you can install kimi-cli directly. This command is identical to the one invoked by the installer ([line 31](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-cli/blob/main/scripts/install.sh#L31)):

```bash
uv tool install --python 3.13 kimi-cli

```

This approach requires Python 3.13, which is the recommended runtime according to the project's [[`pyproject.toml`](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-cli/blob/main/pyproject.toml)](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-cli/blob/main/pyproject.toml) configuration.

## Verify the Installation

After installation completes, verify that the `kimi` executable is available on your system `PATH`:

```bash
kimi --version

```

The `kimi` binary is generated by uv during the tool installation process. If the command returns a version number, the installation was successful.

## Upgrade and Uninstall Commands

Manage your kimi-cli installation using uv's built-in tool management commands, as documented in [[`docs/en/guides/getting-started.md`](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-cli/blob/main/docs/en/guides/getting-started.md)](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-cli/blob/main/docs/en/guides/getting-started.md) ([lines 66–75](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-cli/blob/main/docs/en/guides/getting-started.md#L66-L75)).

**To upgrade to the latest release:**

```bash
uv tool upgrade kimi-cli --no-cache

```

**To remove the CLI from your system:**

```bash
uv tool uninstall kimi-cli

```

## First-Time Configuration

After you install kimi-cli, navigate to a project directory and invoke the tool to start an interactive AI session. On first launch, the CLI will prompt you to configure an LLM provider using the `/login` slash command. This workflow is detailed in the Getting Started guide ([lines 77–92](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-cli/blob/main/docs/en/guides/getting-started.md#L77-L92)).

```bash

# Start the interactive session

kimi

```

## Summary

- **Automated setup**: Use `curl -LsSf https://code.kimi.com/install.sh | bash` to bootstrap uv and install kimi-cli in one step.
- **Manual control**: Run `uv tool install --python 3.13 kimi-cli` if uv is already installed.
- **Lifecycle management**: Use `uv tool upgrade` and `uv tool uninstall` to maintain or remove the package.
- **Initial config**: Run `kimi` and use `/login` to set up your LLM provider on first use.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is uv and why does Kimi CLI require it?

**uv** is a fast, modern Python package manager and toolchain written in Rust. According to the [[`scripts/install.sh`](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-cli/blob/main/scripts/install.sh)](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-cli/blob/main/scripts/install.sh) logic, the installer uses uv because it provides reproducible, standalone tool installations without requiring a global Python environment. The CLI is distributed as a uv tool to ensure consistent behavior across Linux, macOS, and Windows systems.

### Can I install Kimi CLI without using the automated script?

Yes. If you already have uv installed, you can skip the [`install.sh`](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-cli/blob/main/install.sh) script entirely and run `uv tool install --python 3.13 kimi-cli` manually. This command targets Python 3.13 specifically and is the exact method used by the automated installer ([line 31](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-cli/blob/main/scripts/install.sh#L31)).

### How do I update Kimi CLI to the latest version?

Run `uv tool upgrade kimi-cli --no-cache` to fetch and install the latest release. The `--no-cache` flag ensures you bypass any stale package indexes and get the most recent version available in the repository.

### Where is the `kimi` executable installed?

The `kimi` binary is installed by uv into its managed tools directory, which is automatically added to your `PATH` during the uv installation process. You can verify the location by running `which kimi` (Linux/macOS) or `Get-Command kimi` (Windows PowerShell) after installation.