Licensing Information for Kimi-Code: MIT License Explained

Kimi-Code is released under the permissive MIT License, allowing free use, modification, and distribution in both open-source and proprietary projects, provided you retain the original copyright notice and license text.

The MoonshotAI/kimi-code repository provides an AI-powered coding agent that prioritizes accessibility through clear licensing information for kimi-code. Understanding these terms ensures you can legally incorporate this tool into your development workflow while meeting all compliance requirements set forth in the source files.

MIT License Overview

The project operates under the MIT License, a widely adopted permissive open source license that imposes minimal restrictions on reuse. According to the source code in the top-level LICENSE file, this grants broad permissions while maintaining specific legal protections for the authors.

Key Permissions

The licensing information for kimi-code grants you the right to:

• Copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the software
• Use the code in private, academic, or commercial contexts
• Integrate Kimi-Code into proprietary applications without restriction

Warranty Disclaimer

As stated in the LICENSE file, the software is provided "as-is", without warranty of any kind, express or implied. Moonshot AI and contributors are not liable for any claims, damages, or other liabilities arising from the use, distribution, or modification of the code.

Where to Find Licensing Information in the Repository

The licensing information for kimi-code is documented across multiple authoritative locations:

• LICENSE — Contains the full MIT license text at the repository root
• README.md — Provides a brief license notice in the project overview section
• package.json — Declares the license field for npm consumers, specifying "MIT"
• packages/agent-core/AGENTS.md — Documents the core engine structure and confirms it operates under the same licensing terms
• apps/kimi-code/AGENTS.md — Verifies that the CLI/TUI application layer adheres to identical licensing conditions

Compliance Requirements for Using Kimi-Code

Attribution in Source Files

When incorporating Kimi-Code code into your projects, you must include the copyright notice. According to the repository's licensing structure, use a header comment like this:

/*
 * © 2026 Moonshot AI
 * Licensed under the MIT License (see LICENSE file for details)
 */

Distribution Obligations

If you publish a derived package that bundles Kimi-Code, you must include the original license file to maintain compliance:

# Copy the licence into your built package

cp node_modules/@moonshot-ai/kimi-code/LICENSE ./dist/

This ensures downstream users receive the full licensing information for kimi-code as required by the MIT License terms.

Summary

• Kimi-Code is distributed under the MIT License, a permissive open source license found in the top-level LICENSE file
• You may use the code in commercial and proprietary projects without open-sourcing your own code
• You must retain the copyright notice and permission notice in all copies or substantial portions of the software
• The package.json and README.md files confirm the MIT license status for package managers and users
• The packages/agent-core/AGENTS.md and apps/kimi-code/AGENTS.md documentation files affirm that the core engine and application layers operate under identical licensing terms

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Kimi-Code in commercial projects?

Yes. The MIT License explicitly permits commercial use, including selling software that incorporates Kimi-Code or using it in internal proprietary tools. You must only ensure that the original copyright notice and license text are included with your distribution, as specified in the LICENSE file.

Do I need to open-source my code if I use Kimi-Code?

No. The MIT License does not require you to distribute your source code or use the same license for derivative works. Unlike copyleft licenses (such as GPL), you can incorporate Kimi-Code into closed-source applications without releasing your own code under an open source license.

Where is the official license text located?

The complete, legally binding MIT License text is stored in the LICENSE file at the root of the MoonshotAI/kimi-code repository. The README.md provides a summary notice, while package.json declares the license type for automated tooling and npm consumers.

What are my obligations when modifying Kimi-Code?

When you modify the source code, you must still include the original copyright notice and the license text in any distributed copies or substantial portions. You may add your own copyright notice for your modifications, but you cannot remove the original attribution to Moonshot AI found in the LICENSE file and source headers.

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