Kimi Code Desktop

Kimi Code Desktop is an unofficial, open-source Windows desktop harness for Kimi Code CLI. It adds project navigation, durable chats, Git tools, terminal tabs, local preview, skills, subagents, schedules, and remote control while Kimi Code CLI remains the agent runtime.

Important

This community project is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or supported by Moonshot AI.

Download

Download the latest Windows installer from GitHub Releases.

Requirements:

• Windows 10 or Windows 11
• Microsoft WebView2
• A Kimi Code account with Kimi Code CLI access

The installer includes the Node.js runtime used by the local orchestration service. It does not bundle Kimi Code CLI or Kimi credentials.

Each release includes SHA256SUMS.txt. After downloading, compare the listed installer hash with:

Get-FileHash .\Kimi-Code-*-setup.exe -Algorithm SHA256

Windows SmartScreen may still show a warning because the installer is not currently Authenticode-signed. The checksum verifies that the download matches the GitHub release; it does not establish publisher identity.

Highlights

• Local projects with multiple resumable chats per folder
• Standalone chats that stay separate from project files and Git state
• Streaming Markdown, compact tool activity, prompt queueing, steering, stop, edit and retry, and per-turn summaries
• Runtime-provided models, reasoning levels, permissions, context use, and Kimi plan quota
• Kimi commands, skills, MCP configuration, plugins, subagents, goals, and side chats
• Git status, diffs, staging, commits, branches, push, pull, clone, GitHub publish and pull request handoff, checkpoints, review, and safe per-turn revert
• Persistent terminal tabs and splits, workspace file preview, and agent-controlled localhost preview
• Configurable theme, typography, density, panel placement, and panel sizing, with reduced-motion support
• Optional schedules, redacted local exports, and a paired private-network remote protocol
• Signed in-app updates with an explicit install and restart action

Kimi Code Desktop starts sign-in through Kimi Code CLI and keeps authentication in the Kimi credential store. Passwords, API keys, OAuth tokens, and Kimi session credentials never enter desktop preferences.

Chats created by discontinued runtime adapters remain available as read-only history. New work and resumed agent execution use Kimi Code only.

Remote access requires a compatible companion client on a user-managed private network. The reference companion is still private while its protocol and distribution model are validated, so a public phone client is not available yet.

Getting started

1. Install and open Kimi Code Desktop.
2. Install Kimi Code CLI from its official guide if it is not already available.
3. Sign in through the Kimi Code CLI flow shown by the app.
4. Open a folder for project work or start a standalone chat.

See the User Guide for projects, prompts, Git, terminal, preview, extensions, remote access, and troubleshooting.

Shortcuts

Action	Default
Command palette	Ctrl+K
New chat	Ctrl+N
Toggle sidebar	Ctrl+B
Open terminal	Ctrl+J
Open settings	Ctrl+,
Send or queue	Enter
Steer active work	Ctrl+Enter
Insert line break	Shift+Enter

Global shortcuts, the idle send shortcut, and the external editor can be changed in settings. Conflicting global shortcuts remain disabled until resolved.

Privacy and security

• The main orchestration service binds only to 127.0.0.1 and packaged renderer connections require a random per-launch token.
• Kimi credentials remain in the Kimi Code CLI account store.
• Workspace file access is path-bound, text-only, and size-limited.
• Skill installation accepts validated files from the active workspace and requires confirmation.
• Embedded preview accepts only exact localhost or 127.0.0.1 URLs.
• Preview screenshots use a temporary isolated Edge profile, never the user's browser profile.
• Optional remote access is disabled by default and uses one-time pairing plus revocable device tokens.
• The app has no product telemetry and never uploads support exports automatically.

Read the Security Policy before reporting a vulnerability.

Development

Requirements for contributors:

• Node.js 22 or newer
• pnpm 10
• Rust and Cargo
• Microsoft WebView2

Run the app with the deterministic fake Kimi runtime:

corepack pnpm@10.13.1 install --frozen-lockfile
$env:KIMI_FAKE='1'
corepack pnpm@10.13.1 dev

Verify a change:

corepack pnpm@10.13.1 check:public
corepack pnpm@10.13.1 typecheck
corepack pnpm@10.13.1 test
corepack pnpm@10.13.1 build:services
git diff --check

Build an unsigned local installer:

corepack pnpm@10.13.1 bundle:local

Published installers come from the tagged GitHub Actions workflow, which creates the installer, updater signature, update manifest, and checksums.

Repository

This pnpm monorepo contains:

• apps/desktop: Tauri v2 shell and Windows integration
• apps/web: React interface for the durable server projection
• apps/server: Kimi ACP runtime, orchestration, Git, terminal, preview, remote access, and updates

Documentation:

• User Guide
• Kimi Runtime
• Architecture
• Design System
• Remote Access
• Automation and Exports
• Contributing
• Release Process
• Third-party Notices

License and trademarks

The source code is licensed under the MIT License.

Kimi, Kimi Code, Moonshot AI, and their names, logos, and marks belong to their respective owners and are not covered by this repository's license. Forks and redistributed builds must remain clearly unofficial.