> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.venice.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Kilo Code

> Configure Kilo Code's native Venice provider in VS Code or the CLI so agentic coding requests run through private Venice models.

[Kilo Code](https://kilo.ai/) is an open-source AI coding agent for VS Code and the terminal. Venice is available as a **native provider**, so you can select Venice models without configuring an OpenAI-compatible custom endpoint.

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Native Provider" icon="plug">
    Built-in Venice support in Kilo's Providers settings
  </Card>

  <Card title="VS Code + CLI" icon="terminal">
    Same `kilo.json` config works across the extension and CLI
  </Card>

  <Card title="Reasoning Models" icon="microchip">
    Kilo maps Venice reasoning controls when the model supports them
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Prerequisites

* A Venice API key from [venice.ai/settings/api](https://venice.ai/settings/api)
* [Kilo Code for VS Code](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=kilocode.Kilo-Code) and/or the [Kilo CLI](https://kilo.ai/docs/code-with-ai/platforms/cli)

***

## Setup

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="VS Code">
    <Steps>
      <Step title="Install Kilo Code">
        In VS Code, open **Extensions**, search for **Kilo Code**, and install it from the [Visual Studio Marketplace](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=kilocode.Kilo-Code).

        Prefer the Marketplace **Pre-Release** channel when that is the current recommended build — see [Kilo's install docs](https://kilo.ai/docs/getting-started/installing).
      </Step>

      <Step title="Get your Venice API key">
        Generate a key from [venice.ai/settings/api](https://venice.ai/settings/api). Copy it immediately and store it securely.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Add the Venice provider">
        Open Kilo **Settings** (gear icon) and go to the **Providers** tab. Select **Venice AI** and paste your Venice API key.

        The extension stores the provider in your `kilo.json` config. You can also edit that file directly — see the **CLI** tab for the format.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Select a model and test">
        Choose a Venice model from the model picker, then send a small task such as:

        ```txt theme={"system"}
        Review the current file and suggest one safe improvement.
        ```

        Browse available IDs in the [text model catalog](/models/text).
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="CLI">
    <Steps>
      <Step title="Install the Kilo CLI">
        ```bash theme={"system"}
        npm install -g @kilocode/cli
        kilo --version
        ```

        See the [Kilo CLI docs](https://kilo.ai/docs/code-with-ai/platforms/cli) for other install options.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Set your Venice API key">
        Export the key in the shell where you run Kilo:

        ```bash theme={"system"}
        export VENICE_API_KEY="your-api-key"
        ```
      </Step>

      <Step title="Configure the Venice provider">
        Create or edit `~/.config/kilo/kilo.json` (global) or `./kilo.json` (project):

        ```json theme={"system"}
        {
          "provider": {
            "venice": {
              "env": ["VENICE_API_KEY"]
            }
          },
          "model": "venice/zai-org-glm-5-1"
        }
        ```

        Replace `zai-org-glm-5-1` with any model ID from the [text model catalog](/models/text). Kilo model references use the `venice/<model-id>` format.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Start Kilo">
        From your project directory:

        ```bash theme={"system"}
        kilo
        ```

        Select a Venice model from the model picker if you did not set a default `model`, then send a short test prompt.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Verify the Venice API

If Kilo cannot connect, confirm the key and model IDs independently:

```bash theme={"system"}
curl https://api.venice.ai/api/v1/models \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $VENICE_API_KEY"
```

Copy a model's `id` exactly into Kilo. In CLI config, prefix it with `venice/`, for example `venice/zai-org-glm-5-1`.

***

## Configuration Notes

* Venice is a **native** Kilo provider. Prefer **Venice AI** in Providers settings over a generic OpenAI-compatible custom endpoint.
* The extension and CLI share the same config files (`~/.config/kilo/kilo.json` globally, or `./kilo.json` in a project).
* Some Venice models expose reasoning controls. Kilo maps supported reasoning effort and disable-thinking options when the selected model supports them.
* Model IDs and plan access can change. Use the model picker, [text model catalog](/models/text), or `GET /models` for the current list.
* Keep your Venice API key private. Do not paste it into source files or commit it to git.

***

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Invalid API key or 401">
    Confirm the key comes from [venice.ai/settings/api](https://venice.ai/settings/api). For the CLI, verify `VENICE_API_KEY` is set in the same environment that launches Kilo. In VS Code, reconnect Venice AI under **Providers**.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Model not available">
    Confirm your Venice account has access to the selected model, copy the ID from the [text model catalog](/models/text) or `GET /models`, and for CLI config use the `venice/<model-id>` form.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Provider settings not found in the extension">
    Update to the current recommended Kilo build (including Pre-Release when that is the documented default). You can also set the provider in `kilo.json` as shown in the CLI tab — the extension reads the same config.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Resources

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Kilo Venice Provider Docs" icon="book" href="https://kilo.ai/docs/ai-providers/venice">
    Official Kilo Code Venice setup
  </Card>

  <Card title="Venice Text Models" icon="list" href="/models/text">
    Browse available Venice model IDs
  </Card>

  <Card title="Kilo Install Docs" icon="download" href="https://kilo.ai/docs/getting-started/installing">
    VS Code, CLI, and other platforms
  </Card>

  <Card title="Venice API Reference" icon="code" href="/api-reference/api-spec">
    Full endpoint and parameter docs
  </Card>
</CardGroup>