Getting Started

Kilocode provides 5 specialized modes for different coding tasks. Use in VS Code or JetBrains IDEs with OpenAI-compatible APIs.

What is Kilocode?

Kilocode is an AI coding assistant for VS Code and JetBrains IDEs. It provides 5 specialized modes: Code, Architect, Ask, Debug, and Orchestrator. Each mode targets specific development tasks.

The extension connects to AI providers through OpenAI-compatible APIs. Access models like GPT-4, Claude, and other coding models. Kilocode addresses specific development needs in both VS Code and JetBrains environments.

Core Modes Explained

Code Mode: Generates new code from your specifications. Maintains consistency with your codebase style and patterns.

Architect Mode: Handles system design decisions. Plans features and architecture. Makes complex architectural choices.

Ask Mode: Answers questions about your existing codebase. Find information without searching through files manually.

Debug Mode: Identifies and fixes bugs. Describe issues to find causes and solutions.

Orchestrator Mode: Manages multi-step development tasks across multiple files and components.

Installation Process

For VS Code:

1. Search "Kilocode" in marketplace
2. Install extension with ID kilocode.kilocode

For JetBrains:

1. Go to Settings > Plugins
2. Search "Kilocode"
3. Install extension
4. Restart IDE after installation

Grant permissions for codebase access. This helps AI understand project structure, patterns, and context.

Getting Started with Each Mode

Code Mode: Start with simple tasks. Describe what you want in specific terms. Example: "Create React component for user authentication with login and signup forms."

Kilocode maintains project coding standards. Review output to understand requirement interpretation.

Architect Mode: Provide context about current system and new requirements. This mode considers your existing codebase.

Use when planning major changes, integrating technologies, or designing complex features.

Ask Mode: Ask specific questions about existing code. Instead of searching manually:

• "How does authentication flow work?"
• "What does this utility function handle?"

Mode provides context-aware answers based on your codebase.

Debug Mode: Describe problems in detail. Include:

• Error messages
• Expected behavior
• What you've tried

Debug Mode analyzes your code for issues and suggests fixes.

Best Practices

Code Mode:

• Be specific about requirements
• Avoid over-constraining implementation
• Review for security and best practices
• Test thoroughly before implementation
• Use consistent naming with existing codebase

Architect Mode:

• Provide comprehensive context about current system
• Specify performance, security, and scalability requirements
• Consider long-term maintainability
• Document architectural decisions

Ask Mode:

• Ask specific questions
• Include file names or code sections when relevant
• Use follow-ups to go deeper
• Verify answers against actual code

Debug Mode:

• Include detailed error messages and reproduction steps
• Add relevant code snippets and config files
• Test fixes in development environment first
• Address root cause, not just symptoms

Orchestrator Mode:

• Break complex tasks into smaller components
• Monitor progress and verify intermediate results
• Plan for error handling and rollbacks
• Track changes with version control

Advantages

Kilocode's multi-mode approach provides targeted assistance. Each mode optimizes for specific tasks. This leads to more relevant AI interactions.

Specialized modes maintain focus. Code Mode avoids architectural concerns. Architect Mode stays on design. Orchestrator Mode handles multi-step tasks.

Integration works in your preferred IDE. Context extends to your specific project. This makes responses more relevant than general AI tools.

Cross-Platform Support

Kilocode works on VS Code and JetBrains IDEs. Includes IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, WebStorm, and other JetBrains products. Ideal for mixed development environments.

Functionality remains consistent across platforms. Same capabilities regardless of chosen IDE.

Common Use Cases

Rapid Feature Development: Generate boilerplate code. Focus on business logic.

Codebase Understanding: Use Ask Mode to understand unfamiliar code without searching manually.

Architecture Planning: Design new systems. Refactor existing architecture.

Bug Resolution: Use Debug Mode for complex issues requiring analysis of multiple components.

Multi-step Tasks: Use Orchestrator Mode for tasks spanning multiple files.

Key Modes

• Code Mode: Generate new code from specifications
• Architect Mode: Design system architecture
• Ask Mode: Get answers about existing code
• Debug Mode: Identify and fix bugs
• Orchestrator Mode: Manage multi-step tasks

Start with Kilocode to get targeted AI assistance for your specific coding tasks.