Kilo CLI launcher
Kilo CLI launcher is an unofficial VS Code extension that opens Kilo CLI in a new side terminal directly from the editor toolbar.
Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Current documented release: 0.2.4. See CHANGELOG.md for release-by-release changes.
Disclaimer
This extension is unofficial and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Kilo or KiloCode. "Kilo" and "KiloCode" are trademarks of their respective owners.
Features
- Adds a launcher button to the editor title area
- Opens a fresh terminal beside the active editor on every launch
- Uses the active editor workspace when available, with a fallback to the first open workspace folder
- Runs a configurable Kilo CLI command
- Prints an interactive terminal prompt when the default
kilo command is not available
- Supports quoted Windows executable paths
- Does not collect telemetry, analytics, or personal data
Requirements
- VS Code
^1.86.0
- Kilo CLI available in the integrated terminal environment, or a working custom launch command configured in settings
Installation
- Install the extension from the VS Code Marketplace.
- Install Kilo CLI globally, for example:
npm install -g @kilocode/cli
- Open any file in VS Code.
- Click the launcher button in the editor title.
Any equivalent install or launch method that makes kilo available in your terminal also works.
How It Works
Each launch creates a new terminal beside the current editor and sends the configured command immediately. Existing terminals are not reused.
When possible, the launcher opens the terminal in the workspace folder of the active editor. If the active editor is outside the workspace, it falls back to the first workspace folder in the current VS Code window.
The launcher checks command availability when the terminal runs, so it behaves consistently with your normal integrated terminal environment.
If the default kilo command is missing, the extension prints an interactive prompt in the same terminal:
Cannot find Kilo CLI
Install Kilo CLI? (y/N):
Answer y or yes to run npm install -g @kilocode/cli in that terminal. Any other answer cancels installation.
Configuration
| Setting |
Default |
Description |
kilocodeCliLauncher.cliCommand |
kilo |
Command executed when the launcher button is clicked. The command is sent directly to the integrated terminal. |
kilocodeCliLauncher.terminalName |
Kilo CLI |
Base label used for the created terminal. |
Use the Command Palette to open the extension settings:
Kilo CLI launcher: Open Settings
Examples:
Default command:
"kilocodeCliLauncher.cliCommand": "kilo"
Launch through npx:
"kilocodeCliLauncher.cliCommand": "npx --yes @kilocode/cli"
Windows executable path with spaces:
"kilocodeCliLauncher.cliCommand": "\"C:\\Program Files\\Kilo CLI\\kilo.cmd\""
Windows executable path with arguments:
"kilocodeCliLauncher.cliCommand": "\"C:\\Program Files\\Kilo CLI\\kilo.cmd\" --workspace \"C:\\Workspaces\\Sample Project\""
Troubleshooting
The terminal opens but kilo is not recognized
Install Kilo CLI globally and confirm that kilo works in a regular integrated terminal, for example:
npm install -g @kilocode/cli
If your setup relies on shell initialization, restart VS Code after installation so new terminals inherit the updated environment.
The launcher also prints an interactive terminal prompt so the problem is easier to resolve without leaving the terminal.
Check kilocodeCliLauncher.cliCommand and verify that the same command works in a regular terminal.
Custom executable path on Windows
Quote executable paths that contain spaces. This is required for commands such as "C:\Program Files\Kilo CLI\kilo.cmd".
Custom launch commands
Commands such as npx --yes @kilocode/cli are supported.
Multi-root workspaces
The launcher prefers the workspace folder of the active editor. To control where Kilo starts in a multi-root window, open a file from the target workspace before clicking the toolbar button.
Privacy
Kilo CLI launcher does not collect telemetry, analytics, or personal data.
Development
Local verification and packaging:
npm install
npm run check
npm run test:integration
npm run package
npm run package creates the .vsix file in the workspace root.
The repository includes unit tests, metadata checks, VS Code integration smoke tests, and CI coverage for Windows and Linux.
Support
Open a GitHub issue for bugs and feature requests. For support details, see SUPPORT.md.
License
Released under the MIT License. See LICENSE for details.
