How to Use Kimi Code With Claude Code, Roo Code, and Other Coding Agents

Kimi Code is a coding-focused service from Kimi that supplies models through its own command-line client and through APIs that other coding agents can call. A coding agent is the application that reads a repository, edits files, runs terminal commands, and asks the model what to do next. The model and the agent are separate: Kimi provides the model endpoint, while Claude Code, Roo Code, or Kilo Code provides much of the working interface and tool behavior.

The distinction that matters: compatible does not always mean supported

Kimi Code exposes both Anthropic-compatible and OpenAI-compatible API interfaces. That makes it possible, in technical terms, to connect many tools that understand one of those formats. But a matching API format is not permission to use a Kimi Code membership key in every client. Kimi’s help documentation specifically identifies Kimi Code CLI, Claude Code, and Roo Code as supported for membership benefits, and warns that using a key on unauthorized platforms can lead to restricted access.

This corrects a common misconception. Entering a Kimi endpoint and API key into an “OpenAI Compatible” settings screen may establish a connection, but it does not by itself establish that the tool is approved for Kimi Code membership use. Start with Kimi’s current documentation for the agent you intend to use, then treat its support and account rules as the constraint.

Claude Code: the terminal route

Claude Code is Anthropic’s command-line coding agent. Kimi’s Claude Code guide works by redirecting Claude Code’s model requests to Kimi’s Anthropic-compatible endpoint. You need an active Kimi membership with Kimi Code benefits and a Kimi Code API key before configuring the environment.

export ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL=https://api.kimi.com/coding/
export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="YOUR_KIMI_CODE_API_KEY"
export ANTHROPIC_MODEL="k3"
claude

That short example shows the mechanism, not the complete setup for every plan. Kimi’s current guide also maps Claude Code’s default model roles and subagent model to the selected Kimi model, and supplies separate context-window settings for 262,144-token and one-million-token access. Follow that model mapping rather than assuming that setting only one model variable will cover every Claude Code action.

Verification is straightforward: after launch, use Claude Code’s `/status` command and check that the Base URL is Kimi’s coding endpoint. The visible model label can still resemble a Claude model name; Kimi says the Base URL is the meaningful confirmation of where requests are being sent.

Roo Code: the VS Code route

Roo Code is a VS Code extension, so its Kimi setup happens in the extension’s provider settings rather than in a shell profile. Choose the OpenAI Compatible provider, use `https://api.kimi.com/coding/v1` as the entrypoint, paste the Kimi Code API key, and select either `kimi-for-coding` or `kimi-for-coding-highspeed`.

The two model names represent Kimi’s Standard and HighSpeed options. HighSpeed is a service tier rather than a different editor integration, and availability depends on the membership plan. For a first connection, use the standard model, make Roo Code read a small file or explain a function, then allow file editing and terminal access only after confirming that the requested actions match the task.

Kilo Code: use the documented Kimi Code BYOK path

Kilo Code is a multi-provider coding agent available in IDE, terminal, and other surfaces. Its gateway documentation lists Kimi Code as a bring-your-own-key provider, identified as `kimi-coding`. In Kilo Code or the Kilo dashboard, add the Kimi Code key through that provider path; Kilo says requests made with a BYOK key are sent using that provider key and are billed by the provider rather than deducted from Kilo credits.

There is an important documentation wrinkle. Kilo’s documentation explicitly lists Kimi Code as a BYOK provider, while Kimi’s membership help page names only Kimi Code CLI, Claude Code, and Roo Code as supported tools. Those statements describe different sides of the connection, and they should not be treated as interchangeable authorization. Before relying on a Kimi Code subscription in Kilo Code, confirm the current Kimi membership terms or obtain confirmation from Kimi support for your account and plan.

Choosing an agent based on workflow

• Choose Claude Code when you work primarily in a terminal and want its command-driven, repository-level workflow while sending model calls to Kimi.
• Choose Roo Code when VS Code is the center of your work and you want provider configuration in an editor extension.
• Choose Kilo Code when you need a multi-provider setup, specialized agent modes, or Kilo’s gateway and BYOK management—but verify that your Kimi plan permits the intended use.
• Choose Kimi Code CLI when you want the lowest-friction route within Kimi’s own supported client and do not need another agent’s interface.

Agent choice affects more than the chat panel. Each agent decides how it gathers repository context, when it asks for approval, how it runs commands, whether it delegates work to subagents, and how it summarizes older context. A capable model cannot compensate for granting an agent broad terminal permissions without reviewing its plan and diffs.

Where Cline fits

Cline supports an OpenAI Compatible provider configuration with three required values: a base URL, an API key, and a model ID. Kimi Code also offers an OpenAI-compatible endpoint, so the formats line up technically. That makes Cline a plausible integration candidate in the abstract.

For Kimi Code membership benefits, however, Cline is not named on Kimi’s third-party-agent help page alongside Claude Code and Roo Code. Do not treat Cline’s generic OpenAI-compatible setting as a workaround for that limitation, and do not alter a client identifier to imitate a supported agent. If Kimi adds Cline to its supported list or confirms eligibility for your account, configure it with the documented Kimi endpoint, your own key, and an approved model ID. Until then, use a named supported agent or a separately authorized API arrangement.