# How to Report a Bug in Kimi Code: A Step-by-Step Guide

> Learn how to report a bug in Kimi Code with our step-by-step guide. Follow these instructions to provide necessary details and submit effective bug reports for the MoonshotAI/kimi-code repository.

- Repository: [Moonshot AI/kimi-code](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-code)
- Tags: how-to-guide
- Published: 2026-07-24

---

**Reporting a bug in Kimi Code requires verifying the issue, collecting environment details and debug logs, and submitting a structured report through the GitHub issue template.**

The Kimi Code repository from MoonshotAI maintains a straightforward workflow to ensure maintainers can efficiently reproduce and fix issues. Understanding how to report a bug in kimi-code correctly saves time and increases the likelihood of a rapid resolution. This guide walks through the exact process defined in the repository's governance files, from initial verification to final submission.

## Verify and Gather Context

Before opening an issue, confirm that the unexpected behavior is an actual bug rather than a configuration error or documented limitation. Once verified, collect the specific details maintainers need to investigate.

### Confirm the Issue is a Bug

Check the official guides and existing issues to ensure the behavior is not a known limitation or user error. The maintainers emphasize that **new bug-related changes should be preceded by an issue**, and pull requests without linked issues may be closed without review according to [`CONTRIBUTING.md`](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-code/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md).

### Collect Environment Details

Document the following information before filing:

- **Kimi Code version**: Run `kimi --version` to capture the exact release.
- **Operating system**: Note the OS and architecture (e.g., macOS 14.2 arm64, Ubuntu 22.04 x64).
- **Package scope**: If the bug appears in a specific package (e.g., `@moonshot-ai/agent-core`), include the package name.
- **Reproduction steps**: List the minimal commands, CLI flags, or ACP commands that trigger the issue.

### Capture Debug Logs

The CLI provides two methods to enable detailed debug logging as implemented in [`packages/pi-tui/src/tui.ts`](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-code/blob/main/packages/pi-tui/src/tui.ts):

1. **Environment variable**: Set `KIMI_DEBUG=1` before running commands.
2. **TUI shortcut**: Press **Shift + Ctrl + D** while in the TUI interface.

Debug logs are written to `~/.pi/agent/pi-debug.log` by default. Include relevant excerpts in your report, redacting any sensitive information.

```bash

# Enable debug logging and reproduce the bug

KIMI_DEBUG=1 kimi run /my-task

# Retrieve the generated debug log

cat ~/.pi/agent/pi-debug.log

```

## Submit Your Bug Report

Once you have gathered the necessary context, use the repository's structured template to ensure consistency.

### Use the GitHub Issue Template

Navigate to the repository's **Issues** page and click **New issue**. Select the **Bug report** template, which is defined in [`.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.md`](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-code/blob/main/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.md). Fill in all sections including:

- **Version** and **OS**
- **Steps to reproduce**
- **Expected behavior** versus **Actual behavior**
- **Relevant log output**

You can also use the GitHub CLI to create the issue with the template pre-selected:

```bash
gh issue create \
  --title "Bug: CLI crashes on Windows when using --work-dir" \
  --label bug \
  --template bug_report.md \
  --assignee "@moonshot-ai"

```

### Handle Security Bugs Privately

If the bug involves security concerns—such as credential exposure or denial-of-service vectors—**do not open a public issue**. Instead, follow the instructions in [`SECURITY.md`](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-code/blob/main/SECURITY.md) to report the vulnerability privately to the maintainers.

## Contributing Bug Fixes

If you plan to submit a code fix, reference the issue number in your pull request. The contribution guidelines in [`CONTRIBUTING.md`](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-code/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md) explicitly require that bug fixes be linked to an existing issue to streamline the review process. The [`README.md`](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-code/blob/main/README.md) file provides additional entry points and links to the issue tracker for navigation.

## Summary

- **Verify first**: Confirm the issue is a bug and not a configuration problem before filing.
- **Gather details**: Document the version (`kimi --version`), OS, reproduction steps, and relevant package names.
- **Enable debugging**: Use `KIMI_DEBUG=1` or Shift + Ctrl + D to capture logs from `~/.pi/agent/pi-debug.log` as implemented in [`packages/pi-tui/src/tui.ts`](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-code/blob/main/packages/pi-tui/src/tui.ts).
- **Use templates**: Submit reports via the [`.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.md`](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-code/blob/main/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.md) template on GitHub.
- **Security matters**: Report vulnerabilities privately through [`SECURITY.md`](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-code/blob/main/SECURITY.md), never via public issues.
- **Link issues**: When contributing fixes, ensure your PR references the bug report to comply with [`CONTRIBUTING.md`](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-code/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md) requirements.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How do I enable debug logging in Kimi Code?

You can enable debug logging by setting the environment variable `KIMI_DEBUG=1` before running any command, or by pressing **Shift + Ctrl + D** while using the TUI interface. The logs are saved to `~/.pi/agent/pi-debug.log` and provide detailed trace information necessary for debugging complex issues.

### Where is the bug report template located?

The bug report template is stored at [`.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.md`](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-code/blob/main/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.md) in the MoonshotAI/kimi-code repository. When you click **New issue** on GitHub, selecting the **Bug report** option automatically loads this template, ensuring you provide all required fields like version, OS, and reproduction steps.

### Can I submit a bug fix without opening an issue first?

No, the maintainers require that all bug-related changes be preceded by an issue. According to [`CONTRIBUTING.md`](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-code/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md), pull requests without a linked issue may be closed without review. Opening an issue first allows the team to triage the problem and discuss the proposed solution before you invest time in coding.

### What should I do if I find a security vulnerability?

Do not open a public GitHub issue for security bugs. Instead, consult the [`SECURITY.md`](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-code/blob/main/SECURITY.md) file in the repository root for instructions on how to report vulnerabilities privately. This policy protects users from exposure while the maintainers develop and deploy a patch.