# What Is the License for Kimi-Code? MIT License Explained

> Discover the Kimi-Code license. Understand the MIT License, its permissions for free use, modification, and distribution of this open-source project.

- Repository: [Moonshot AI/kimi-code](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-code)
- Tags: licensing-information
- Published: 2026-08-11

---

**Kimi-Code is released under the MIT License**, a permissive open-source license that allows free use, modification, and distribution with minimal restrictions.

This article breaks down the licensing terms for the [MoonshotAI/kimi-code](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-code) repository, how they apply across its TypeScript monorepo structure, and what you need to know when using or contributing to the project.

## Where to Find the Kimi-Code License

The primary license text resides in the repository's root directory. You can view the complete **MIT License** at:

- **`LICENSE`** — Full license text at the repository root: [MoonshotAI/kimi-code/blob/main/LICENSE](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-code/blob/main/LICENSE)
- **[`README.md`](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-code/blob/main/README.md)** — Contains a badge linking to the license: `[MIT License](LICENSE)`

The [`README.md`](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-code/blob/main/README.md) explicitly references this licensing in its documentation, making it immediately visible to anyone browsing the repository.

## How the MIT License Applies Across the Monorepo

Kimi-Code is organized as a **TypeScript monorepo** with multiple workspaces. Despite this modular architecture, licensing remains uniform throughout:

| Workspace | Purpose | Key Entry Point |
|-----------|---------|---------------|
| `apps/kimi-code` | CLI/TUI client for local execution | [`apps/kimi-code/src/index.ts`](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-code/blob/main/apps/kimi-code/src/index.ts) |
| `apps/kimi-inspect` | Web inspector for debug RPC | [`apps/kimi-inspect/src/main.ts`](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-code/blob/main/apps/kimi-inspect/src/main.ts) |
| `packages/agent-core` | Original agent engine (v1) | [`packages/agent-core/src/Agent.ts`](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-code/blob/main/packages/agent-core/src/Agent.ts) |
| `packages/agent-core-v2` | Refactored server engine (v2) | [`packages/agent-core-v2/src/Engine.ts`](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-code/blob/main/packages/agent-core-v2/src/Engine.ts) |
| `packages/kap-server` | HTTP/WebSocket server | [`packages/kap-server/src/server.ts`](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-code/blob/main/packages/kap-server/src/server.ts) |
| `packages/kosong`, `packages/kaos`, `packages/oauth` | Supporting libraries (LLM abstraction, execution, auth) | Various `src/` files |

All source code throughout `apps/` and `packages/` inherits the top-level **MIT License** unless a sub-folder explicitly ships its own license file. Currently, the only exception is `apps/vscode/LICENSE`, which also contains MIT text—maintaining license compatibility.

## What the MIT License Permits

Under the **Kimi-Code license**, you are free to:

- **Use** the software for any purpose, commercial or non-commercial
- **Copy** and distribute the original or modified versions
- **Modify** the source code to suit your needs
- **Sublicense** your derivative works under different terms (proprietary or open-source)

The sole requirement is preservation of the original copyright notice and license text.

## Practical License Usage Examples

### Display the License from the CLI

After installing Kimi-Code, you can print the bundled license directly:

```bash

# Print the bundled MIT license

kimi --license

```

Internally, the CLI reads the root `LICENSE` file and outputs its contents.

### Adding MIT-Compliant Headers to New Files

When contributing new source files, use this standard header format:

```ts
/**
 * my-feature.ts
 *
 * Copyright (c) 2026 Moonshot AI
 *
 * Licensed under the MIT License (see the LICENSE file at the repo root).
 */

export function helloKimi() {
  console.log('Hello from Kimi-Code!');
}

```

### Creating a New Package with Proper Licensing

For new packages in the monorepo, include a dedicated `LICENSE` file:

```text
// In packages/my-new-package/LICENSE
MIT License

Copyright (c) 2026 Moonshot AI

Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy
of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal
in the Software without restriction...

```

## Key License Files in the Repository

| File | Purpose | Direct Link |
|------|---------|-------------|
| `LICENSE` | Root MIT license covering entire repository | [View](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-code/blob/main/LICENSE) |
| [`README.md`](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-code/blob/main/README.md) | Project overview with license badge reference | [View](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-code/blob/main/README.md) |
| `apps/vscode/LICENSE` | VS Code extension-specific MIT license | [View](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-code/blob/main/apps/vscode/LICENSE) |

## Summary

- **Kimi-Code uses the MIT License**, found at the repository root in `LICENSE`
- The license applies uniformly across all workspaces in the TypeScript monorepo
- No conflicting licenses exist—`apps/vscode/LICENSE` also uses MIT
- Requirements are minimal: retain copyright notice and license text in distributions
- Commercial use, modification, and private distribution are all explicitly permitted

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Is Kimi-Code free for commercial use?

Yes. The **MIT License** explicitly permits commercial use without restriction. You can incorporate Kimi-Code into proprietary products, modify it for internal tools, or offer it as a service—all without paying royalties or seeking additional permissions from Moonshot AI.

### Do I need to open-source my modifications to Kimi-Code?

No. The **MIT License** does not impose copyleft requirements. You may keep modifications private, distribute them under proprietary terms, or choose any other license for your derivative works. You only need to include the original MIT license and copyright notice with distributions of the Kimi-Code software itself.

### Why is the VS Code extension in a separate license file?

The `apps/vscode/LICENSE` file exists for packaging clarity when the extension is distributed independently through the VS Code marketplace. It contains identical **MIT License** text to the root license, ensuring consistent legal terms regardless of which distribution channel users access.