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Kilo Code for JetBrains Review

Kilo Code for JetBrains is a fully native, open-source coding agent designed for JetBrains IDEs, enabling remote development while maintaining a responsive local interface.

shipped Sep 1, 2026free
Domain rating76Monthly visits16K/mo
Kilo Code for JetBrains — product screenshot

Why it matters

1Offers over 500 AI models without vendor lock-in.
2Provides a fully native JetBrains plugin, released July 9, 2026.
3Supports remote development with a responsive local interface.
4Includes specialized agent modes: Architect, Code, Debug, and Orchestrator.

About Kilo Code for JetBrains

Business Model
Subscription SaaS
Usage Pricing
transparent pricing per api-call
Headquarters
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Funding
Acquired
Platforms
Web, JetBrains, VS Code
Target Audience
Developers using JetBrains IDEs or seeking a versatile coding agent.

Pricing Plans

Free Tier
Free
  • • Access to 500+ models
  • • Use with Community and paid IDE editions
  • • JetBrains plugin installation

Cost Examples

  • • Pay as you go for AI token usage
API DocsGitHubOpen Source

Specs

API Docs

View Documentation →

GitHub

View Repository →

API Available

Yes, public API

Screenshots

overview

What is Kilo Code for JetBrains?

Kilo Code for JetBrains is an AI coding agent tool developed by Kilo that enables developers to plan, build, debug, and ship code directly within JetBrains IDEs. It offers over 500 models without vendor lock-in, allowing seamless integration and model choice for coding tasks. The tool functions as a comprehensive AI coding teammate, capable of planning, building, debugging, and shipping code directly within JetBrains IDEs such as IntelliJ IDEA, WebStorm, PyCharm, and GoLand. Its design prioritizes flexibility, transparency, and powerful AI coding solutions, integrating deeply within the software development lifecycle. A significant development occurred on July 9, 2026, with the release of a ground-up native JetBrains plugin, written in Kotlin with Swing UI, replacing a previous webview-based wrapper for tighter IDE integration.

features

Key Features of Kilo Code for JetBrains

Kilo Code for JetBrains provides a robust set of features designed to enhance the development workflow within JetBrains IDEs. These features include deep native integration, extensive model support, and specialized agentic workflows.

  • Fully native JetBrains plugin, written in Kotlin with Swing UI.
  • Support for over 500 AI models, enabling model choice and preventing vendor lock-in.
  • Remote development capabilities with a responsive local interface.
  • Architect Mode for planning complex features and understanding codebase structure.
  • Debug Mode for identifying and fixing bugs by reading logs and proposing fixes.
  • Orchestrator Mode for breaking down large tasks into manageable subtasks.
  • Automated development workflows, including project inspection and command execution.
  • Native chat sessions with slash commands and @file mentions leveraging IntelliJ's file indexing.
  • JetBrains Agent Manager beta for organizing worktree-based tasks and sessions.
  • Direct rendering of Mermaid diagrams within JetBrains chat with zoom and pan support.

use cases

Who Should Use Kilo Code for JetBrains?

Kilo Code for JetBrains is designed for a broad range of development professionals seeking an AI coding agent that offers flexibility, control, and deep integration within their JetBrains IDEs. It caters to individuals and teams prioritizing open-source solutions and model choice.

  • Developers (Java, Kotlin, Python, TypeScript, Go, PHP, Ruby, C#, Android) seeking AI assistance for code generation, refactoring, and debugging.
  • Software Engineers and DevOps Professionals looking to automate development workflows and orchestrate complex tasks.
  • Project Managers and teams aiming for flexible, transparent, and powerful AI coding solutions with cost control.
  • Developers who prioritize control over AI model selection and wish to avoid vendor lock-in.
  • Teams utilizing JetBrains IDEs (IntelliJ IDEA, WebStorm, PyCharm, GoLand) for their development projects.

how to use

How to Use Kilo Code for JetBrains

To begin using Kilo Code for JetBrains, developers install the plugin directly from the JetBrains Marketplace and configure their preferred AI models. The agent then integrates into the IDE, providing various modes for different coding tasks.

  • 1Install the Kilo Code plugin from the JetBrains Marketplace within your IDE (e.g., IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm).
  • 2Configure your AI model preferences, including bringing your own API keys for over 500 supported models.
  • 3Utilize 'Architect Mode' to plan code architecture and receive structured guidance for new features.
  • 4Engage 'Code Mode' for generating boilerplate, components, tests, or refactoring existing code.
  • 5Activate 'Debug Mode' to identify and fix bugs by allowing the agent to analyze logs and propose solutions.
  • 6Employ 'Orchestrator Mode' to break down complex development tasks into smaller, manageable subtasks.

pricing

Kilo Code for JetBrains Pricing & Plans

Kilo Code for JetBrains operates on a free model for its core functionality, with transparent pay-as-you-go pricing for AI token usage. Users can bring their own API keys (BYOK) for various AI models, incurring zero markup on AI model usage from Kilo.

  • Free Tier: Free (includes core Kilo Code functionality and access to the agent).

Pros

  • +Extensive AI model choice (500+ models) with no vendor lock-in.
  • +Fully native JetBrains plugin for deep IDE integration and performance.
  • +Open-source core, promoting transparency and community contributions.
  • +Transparent pay-as-you-go pricing for AI token usage with zero markup.
  • +Specialized agent modes (Architect, Code, Debug, Orchestrator) for structured workflows.
  • +Supports remote development while maintaining a responsive local interface.

Cons

  • −Potentially steeper setup curve for configuring multiple AI models and API keys.
  • −Fast-moving feature set may require users to adapt to frequent updates.
  • −Some UI quirks reported as the product matures.
  • −Requires user management of API keys and costs for various AI models.

Policies

Pricing Page

View Pricing→

Similar Tools

Kilo Code for JetBrains vs Competitors

Kilo Code for JetBrains distinguishes itself in the AI coding assistant market through its open-source nature, extensive model choice, and transparent pricing, positioning it against both proprietary and other open-source solutions.

1
JetBrains AI AssistantOn Stork

Deeply integrated into JetBrains IDEs, offering context-aware code generation, refactoring, and chat.

While offering deep integration, it's a proprietary solution from JetBrains and its free tier has limitations. It lacks the "over 500 models without vendor lock-in" flexibility of Kilo, though it does support local models and BYOK.

2
CodeGPTOn Stork

Provides a unified interface within your IDE to connect to various LLMs (cloud and local via Ollama, LM Studio, etc.) for code generation, explanation, and refactoring.

CodeGPT offers similar model choice and integration with JetBrains IDEs as Kilo, allowing users to bring their own LLM. However, its primary focus is on AI assistance within the IDE, not specifically on optimizing the remote development experience with a responsive local interface.

3
TabnineOn Stork

Focuses on AI code completion and generation, offering private and secure models, including the ability to run models locally.

Tabnine provides robust AI code completion and generation, including local model support, similar to Kilo's core AI functionality. However, its primary focus is not on the remote development experience, and its free tier might have limitations compared to Kilo's fully open-source offering.

4
Ollama (used with an IDE plugin)On Stork

Enables running large language models locally on your machine, providing a flexible and private backend for AI coding tools.

Ollama provides the foundational capability to run local LLMs, directly addressing Kilo's "over 500 models without vendor lock-in" and open-source nature. However, it's a backend service and requires a separate JetBrains plugin (like CodeGPT or a community-developed one) to integrate into the IDE, unlike Kilo which is a complete agent.

See every Kilo Code for JetBrains alternative, compared→

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