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

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 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
• README.md — Contains a badge linking to the license: [MIT License](LICENSE)

The 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
apps/kimi-inspect	Web inspector for debug RPC	apps/kimi-inspect/src/main.ts
packages/agent-core	Original agent engine (v1)	packages/agent-core/src/Agent.ts
packages/agent-core-v2	Refactored server engine (v2)	packages/agent-core-v2/src/Engine.ts
packages/kap-server	HTTP/WebSocket server	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:

# 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:

/**
 * 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:

// 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
README.md	Project overview with license badge reference	View
apps/vscode/LICENSE	VS Code extension-specific MIT license	View

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.

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