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Installation

packages/kilo-docs/pages/getting-started/installing.md

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Installation

Get started with Kilo Code by installing it on your preferred platform. Choose your development environment below:

Choose Your Platform

{% tabs %} {% tab label="VS Code" %}

VS Code Extension

The current Kilo Code extension is built on the Kilo CLI and is distributed as the pre-release version on the VS Code Marketplace.

  1. Open VS Code
  2. Go to Extensions (Ctrl+Shift+X / Cmd+Shift+X)
  3. Search for "Kilo Code"
  4. Click the dropdown arrow next to Install and select Install Pre-Release Version

{% callout type="info" %} The "pre-release" label is a VS Code Marketplace distribution channel — the extension is stable and recommended for all users. {% /callout %}

Manual Installations

Open VSX Registry

Open VSX Registry is an open-source alternative to the VS Code Marketplace for VS Code-compatible editors that cannot access the official marketplace due to licensing restrictions.

For VS Code-compatible editors like VSCodium, Gitpod, Eclipse Theia, and Windsurf, you can browse and install directly from the Kilo Code page on Open VSX Registry.

  1. Open your editor
  2. Access the Extensions view (Side Bar icon or Ctrl+Shift+X / Cmd+Shift+X)
  3. Your editor should be pre-configured to use Open VSX Registry
  4. Search for "Kilo Code"
  5. Select "Kilo Code" and click Install
  6. Reload the editor if prompted

{% callout type="note" %} If your editor isn't automatically configured for Open VSX Registry, you may need to set it as your extension marketplace in settings. Consult your specific editor's documentation for instructions. {% /callout %}

Via VSIX

If you prefer to download and install the VSIX file directly:

  1. Download the VSIX file:

  2. Install in VS Code:

    • Open VS Code
    • Access Extensions view
    • Click the "..." menu in the Extensions view
    • Select "Install from VSIX..."
    • Browse to and select your downloaded .vsix file

If you need to temporarily go back to an earlier version, use the same flow with a .vsix asset from an older release:

  1. Open the Kilo Code GitHub Releases page
  2. Pick the release you want to stay on and download its VS Code .vsix asset
  3. In VS Code, open Extensions, click the "..." menu, and select "Install from VSIX..."
  4. Choose the downloaded .vsix file to install that version

If you plan to remain on that version for a while, you may also want to temporarily disable extension auto-update in VS Code so it does not immediately update again.

{% image src="/docs/img/installing-vsix.png" alt="Installing Kilo Code using VS Code's Install from VSIX dialog" width="600px" caption="Installing Kilo Code using VS Code's "Install from VSIX" dialog" /%}

Troubleshooting

Extension Not Visible

  • Restart VS Code
  • Verify Kilo Code is listed and enabled in Extensions
  • Try disabling and re-enabling the extension in Extensions
  • Check Output panel for errors (View → Output, select "Kilo Code")

Installation Problems

  • Ensure stable internet connection
  • Verify VS Code version 1.84.0 or later
  • If VS Code Marketplace is inaccessible, try the Open VSX Registry method

Windows Users

  • Ensure that PowerShell is added to your PATH:
    1. Open Edit system environment variables → Environment Variables
    2. Under System variables, select Path → Edit → New
    3. Add: C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\
    4. Click OK and restart VS Code

{% /tab %} {% tab label="CLI" %}

Command Line Interface

{% partial file="install-cli.md" /%}

{% /tab %} {% tab label="JetBrains" %}

JetBrains IDEs

{% partial file="install-jetbrains.md" /%}

{% /tab %} {% tab label="Slack" %}

Slack Integration

{% partial file="install-slack.md" /%}

{% /tab %} {% tab label="Other IDEs" %}

{% partial file="install-other-ides.md" /%}

{% /tab %} {% /tabs %}

Next Steps

After installation:

  1. Set up authentication to configure your AI provider
  2. Run your first task — Learn how to chat with Kilo to complete tasks

Getting Support

If you encounter issues not covered here: