Does Kimi Code Have a CLI? Yes, and It's the Primary Interface

Yes, Kimi Code ships as a full-featured command-line application called kimi that serves as the main entry point for all functionality, including interactive sessions, web UI, and IDE integration.

The MoonshotAI/kimi-code repository distributes its agentic coding assistant as a standalone CLI binary. Whether you install via the official shell script or npm install -g @moonshot-ai/kimi-code, the kimi executable provides complete access to the tool's capabilities through your terminal.

How the Kimi Code CLI Works

The CLI architecture follows a clean wrapper pattern: the thin kimi binary handles argument parsing and environment setup, then delegates to the core engine.

CLI Wrapper and Entry Point

The kimi executable parses command-line arguments and initializes the runtime. In packages/node-sdk/src/cli.ts, the entry point implements command dispatch and validation. Supported flags include --version, --web, --acp, --host, and others documented in docs/zh/reference/kimi-command.md.

The install script referenced in README.md places this binary on your PATH, making it available system-wide.

Core Engine Delegation

Once initialized, the CLI hands control to @moonshot-ai/agent-core-v2. The engine's behavior is governed by the CLI profile defined in packages/agent-core/src/profile/default/system.md, which scopes the agent lifecycle, tool plumbing, and skill catalog for terminal-based operation.

This separation means the same core engine runs regardless of how you invoke Kimi Code—CLI, programmatically, or through IDE integrations.

TUI Rendering

For interactive sessions, the CLI uses the pi-tui library to render a color-rich terminal UI. This handles:

• Real-time input and output streaming
• Slash-command completion
• User approval flows

Running kimi without arguments launches this interface in your current project directory.

Essential Kimi Code CLI Commands

Start an Interactive Session

cd my-project
kimi

This launches the TUI with the agent loaded for your project context.

Display Version Information

kimi --version

Example output: 0.12.3

Launch the Web UI

kimi web

Starts the bundled browser-based chat interface, typically exposed at http://localhost:5173.

Run in ACP Mode for IDE Integration

kimi acp

Runs Kimi Code in Agent Client Protocol mode, reading JSON-RPC on stdin and writing to stdout. This enables IDE plugins to communicate with the core engine.

Self-Update the CLI

kimi upgrade

Checks GitHub releases and installs the latest binary automatically.

Key Source Files for CLI Implementation

Path	Role
packages/node-sdk/src/cli.ts	Implements the kimi entry point, command parsing, and dispatch logic
packages/agent-core/src/profile/default/system.md	Defines the "Kimi Code CLI" profile used by the engine
docs/zh/reference/kimi-command.md	Complete flag and sub-command reference
README.md	Installation instructions and basic usage examples

Configuration and Programmatic Use

The CLI respects configuration files under $KIMI_CODE_HOME, making it suitable for scripting and CI pipelines. Because the binary is just a thin wrapper around the engine, you can invoke it programmatically with the same consistency as interactive use.

Summary

• Kimi Code is distributed as the kimi CLI binary, installable via shell script or npm
• The CLI in packages/node-sdk/src/cli.ts parses arguments and delegates to @moonshot-ai/agent-core-v2
• Interactive sessions use the pi-tui library for terminal UI rendering
• Sub-commands include kimi web, kimi acp, and kimi upgrade
• Full command reference lives in docs/zh/reference/kimi-command.md

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I install the Kimi Code CLI?

Run the official install script from README.md or execute npm install -g @moonshot-ai/kimi-code. Both methods place the kimi binary on your system PATH.

Can I use Kimi Code without the TUI for automation?

Yes. The kimi acp sub-command runs in headless JSON-RPC mode suitable for scripts and CI pipelines, reading from stdin and writing to stdout without launching the interactive interface.

Where is the complete CLI documentation located?

The authoritative reference is docs/zh/reference/kimi-command.md in the repository, which documents all flags, environment variables, and sub-command behaviors.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "instagit": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "instagit@latest"]
    }
  }
}