---
title: "Kimi Code CLI | Ethical Stack"
url: https://ethicalstack.ai/harnesses/kimi-code/
catalog_version: f6baff2119d0e9158520da7fbe4232011dac79f25bd08757436d7a1dbd593db2
---

# Kimi Code CLI

Official terminal coding agent with interactive sessions, project context, and configurable model/provider setup.

Canonical profile: https://ethicalstack.ai/harnesses/kimi-code/

Scope: Current Moonshot Kimi Code CLI. The previous Kimi CLI repository is archived and no longer maintained.

Published overall: 4.8; 4/6 dimensions rated.

Round the equal-weight mean of available numerical ratings to one decimal; require at least four of six for an overall score. BDS status stays outside the mean; for eligible profiles, a boycott target caps the final score at 2/10 and a pressure target subtracts one point (minimum 1). Not listed and not checked do not adjust the score.

## Energy practices

Finding: 3/10

Assessment: https://ethicalstack.ai/harnesses/kimi-code/#energy

For the Kimi Code CLI; inference runs through the configured model provider boundary, public documentation establishes the service or route but not its request-level physical footprint. The CLI repository defines a client and model-routing boundary; the reviewed sources do not establish an energy-saving token or task budget. Electricity sourcing is not mapped to this route.

Reason: 1 + 1 reporting + 0 electricity + 1 controls = 3/10. This grades documented practices and transparency.

Argument: This practices/transparency assessment covers the Kimi Code CLI; inference runs through the configured model provider boundary. The sources establish how the service or endpoint is exposed and do not establish a documented resource-saving control; they do not give a measured per-request energy, emissions or water value. The disclosure point reflects the stated operating boundary, not a product footprint, and company-wide electricity reporting is not attributed to this route.

Type: argument; confidence: medium

Scope (dimension): Current Moonshot Kimi Code CLI. The previous Kimi CLI repository is archived and no longer maintained.

Research reviewed: not recorded; evidence date: not recorded

Unknowns: The reviewed sources do not establish request-level electricity, emissions or water; the actual serving facility and its power mix are also not mapped to Kimi Code CLI; inference runs through the configured model provider.

```json
{
  "method": "practices-transparency-v1",
  "scope": "Current Moonshot Kimi Code CLI. The previous Kimi CLI repository is archived and no longer maintained.",
  "components": {
    "disclosure": {
      "score": 1,
      "reason": "The reviewed documentation defines the Kimi Code CLI; inference runs through the configured model provider boundary. It gives an operating-scope description, not a dated quantitative energy, carbon or water report for this route.",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-code",
        "https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-cli/blob/main/CHANGELOG.md",
        "https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-code/blob/main/docs/en/configuration/config-files.md"
      ]
    },
    "electricity": {
      "score": 0,
      "reason": "No reviewed source maps Kimi Code CLI; inference runs through the configured model provider to a disclosed electricity mix or time-and-location-matched clean-power supply. The route's actual electricity use and emissions therefore remain unestablished.",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-code",
        "https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-cli/blob/main/CHANGELOG.md",
        "https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-code/blob/main/docs/en/configuration/config-files.md"
      ]
    },
    "demand": {
      "score": 1,
      "reason": "Kimi Code lets users select the model and set model context/output limits in configuration. These are workload controls; the reviewed sources do not measure the energy saved by them.",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-code",
        "https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-cli/blob/main/CHANGELOG.md",
        "https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-code/blob/main/docs/en/configuration/config-files.md"
      ]
    }
  },
  "actualImpactMeasured": false
}
```

- [MoonshotAI Kimi Code official repository](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-code) (primary; checked not recorded)

- [Kimi CLI archived-project changelog](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-cli/blob/main/CHANGELOG.md) (primary; checked not recorded)

- [Kimi Code configuration: model and token limits](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-code/blob/main/docs/en/configuration/config-files.md) (primary; checked 2026-10-24)

## Training data

Finding: Depends on the model

Assessment: https://ethicalstack.ai/harnesses/kimi-code/#training-rights

CLI supports configured model/provider routes, so training-corpus rights vary by selected backend and exact model release.

Reason: CLI supports configured model/provider routes, so training-corpus rights vary by selected backend and exact model release.

Argument: User prompts, model-improvement settings, and the original training corpus are different evidence questions. The reviewed product documentation does not identify a fixed model version and complete corpus-rights record for Current Moonshot Kimi Code CLI. The previous Kimi CLI repository is archived and no longer maintained., so this assessment remains unscored.

Type: argument; confidence: medium

Scope (profile): Current Moonshot Kimi Code CLI. The previous Kimi CLI repository is archived and no longer maintained.

Research reviewed: not recorded; evidence date: not recorded

Unknowns: Exact model selection, release version, source inventory, permissions, post-training data, and creator-remedy scope remain unresolved.

```json
{
  "method": "training-rights-evidence-v1",
  "scope": "The stated training release or selected model",
  "components": null,
  "routeDependency": "CLI supports configured model/provider routes, so training-corpus rights vary by selected backend and exact model release.",
  "modelReference": null
}
```

- [MoonshotAI Kimi Code official repository](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-code) (primary; checked not recorded)

- [Kimi API Platform quickstart](https://platform.kimi.ai/docs) (primary; checked not recorded)

## Your data & privacy

Finding: Not enough evidence

Assessment: https://ethicalstack.ai/harnesses/kimi-code/#privacy

The current CLI is a local software client, but prompt handling follows the authenticated account or configured API provider and selected model route.

Reason: No numerical score assigned because the reviewed evidence does not establish the route-specific controls needed for one.

Argument: Moonshot’s current repository documents an interactive local terminal agent and configurable sessions; it does not establish one privacy policy for prompts sent through every login or provider configuration. The retired kimi-cli repository is archived, so do not use its historical behavior as current policy.

Type: argument; confidence: low

Scope (profile): Current Moonshot Kimi Code CLI. The previous Kimi CLI repository is archived and no longer maintained.

Research reviewed: not recorded; evidence date: not recorded

Unknowns: Session storage, telemetry, provider-side retention, API terms and model route depend on the current release and configured account/provider.

- [MoonshotAI Kimi Code official repository](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-code) (primary; checked not recorded)

- [Kimi CLI archived-project changelog](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-cli/blob/main/CHANGELOG.md) (primary; checked not recorded)

## Openness

Finding: 8/10

Assessment: https://ethicalstack.ai/harnesses/kimi-code/#openness

The current official Kimi Code CLI repository publishes source code for a locally installed terminal agent; this does not open the hosted model or API.

Reason: The score reflects service-level inspectability and control, not usefulness or model quality.

Argument: Moonshot publishes the current Kimi Code CLI repository and implementation. Users can inspect the harness code, while the selected model weights, hosted account, API terms, and external integrations retain separate boundaries.

Type: argument; confidence: medium

Scope (profile): Current Moonshot Kimi Code CLI. The previous Kimi CLI repository is archived and no longer maintained.

Research reviewed: not recorded; evidence date: not recorded

Unknowns: Confirm the current repository license and release; model weights and service terms remain separately scoped.

- [MoonshotAI Kimi Code official repository](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-code) (primary; checked not recorded)

- [Kimi CLI archived-project changelog](https://github.com/MoonshotAI/kimi-cli/blob/main/CHANGELOG.md) (primary; checked not recorded)

## Worker protections

Finding: 1/10

Assessment: https://ethicalstack.ai/harnesses/kimi-code/#labour

Moonshot’s reviewed Kimi terms, company site and model pages do not disclose workforce conditions, labor grievance mechanisms or supplier audit outcomes.

Reason: 1 + 0 pay & conditions + 0 worker voice & remedy + 0 evidence & follow-through = 1/10. This grades documented worker safeguards, not a measured rate of mistreatment.

Argument: The sources reviewed provide product, terms, or corporate information but no qualifying disclosure about conditions for data annotators, evaluators, moderators, or infrastructure workers. This is a disclosure gap within the checked materials, not evidence that workers are mistreated or that no labor policy exists. This entry carries the same developer/operator finding to Kimi Code CLI; it does not establish that this product was deployed under every cited relationship.

Type: argument; confidence: low

Scope (dimension): Moonshot AI: the documented developer/operator record, not proof of deployment of Kimi Code CLI.

Research reviewed: 2026-10-24; evidence date: not recorded

Unknowns: Worker counts, locations, pay, labor protections, worker voice mechanisms, supplier coverage, and independent audit or remediation outcomes were not established in the sources reviewed.

```json
{
  "method": "worker-safeguards-evidence-v1",
  "entity": "moonshot",
  "company": "Moonshot AI / Kimi",
  "scope": "Moonshot AI / Kimi's workforce and disclosed contractors. Coverage of individual product teams may be incomplete.",
  "components": {
    "conditions": {
      "score": 0,
      "reason": "Reviewed sources provide no qualifying disclosure of worker conditions; this zero is limited to the checked material and is not an exhaustive claim.",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://moonshot-ai.gitbook.io/moonshot-ai/terms-and-agreement/terms-of-service-for-kimi-openplatform",
        "https://www.moonshot.ai/en",
        "https://huggingface.co/moonshotai"
      ]
    },
    "voice": {
      "score": 0,
      "reason": "No qualifying worker-voice mechanism or documented worker grievance outcomes were disclosed in the reviewed material.",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://moonshot-ai.gitbook.io/moonshot-ai/terms-and-agreement/terms-of-service-for-kimi-openplatform",
        "https://www.moonshot.ai/en",
        "https://huggingface.co/moonshotai"
      ]
    },
    "assurance": {
      "score": 0,
      "reason": "No independent labor audit results, worker-level corroboration, or remediation outcomes were disclosed in the reviewed material.",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://moonshot-ai.gitbook.io/moonshot-ai/terms-and-agreement/terms-of-service-for-kimi-openplatform",
        "https://www.moonshot.ai/en",
        "https://huggingface.co/moonshotai"
      ]
    }
  },
  "disclosureLimited": true,
  "meaning": "This grades documented worker safeguards, not a measured rate of mistreatment."
}
```

- [Kimi OpenPlatform Terms of Service](https://moonshot-ai.gitbook.io/moonshot-ai/terms-and-agreement/terms-of-service-for-kimi-openplatform) (primary; checked 2026-10-24)

- [Moonshot AI company and Kimi overview](https://www.moonshot.ai/en) (primary; checked 2026-10-24)

- [Moonshot AI model releases](https://huggingface.co/moonshotai) (primary; checked 2026-10-24)

## Military ties

Finding: 7/10

Assessment: https://ethicalstack.ai/harnesses/kimi-code/#military-contracts

No Moonshot defense contract or military deployment is identified in the reviewed company and model sources.

Reason: 7 base + 0 safeguard adjustment = 7/10 (0 of 9 safeguard points; every 3 adds 1). No military relationship was established in the cited sources. This ranks above known defense ties without claiming a verified clean record.

Argument: Moonshot’s reviewed Kimi terms, company disclosures and model repository do not name a defense customer, contract or deployment. Third-party availability of its models does not establish Moonshot’s own military relationship; the public material reviewed does not supply a customer-complete accounting. This entry carries the same developer/operator finding to Kimi Code CLI; it does not establish that this product was deployed under every cited relationship.

Type: argument; confidence: low

Scope (dimension): Moonshot AI: the documented developer/operator record, not proof of deployment of Kimi Code CLI.

Research reviewed: 2026-10-24; evidence date: not recorded

Unknowns: Complete contract texts, undisclosed customers, end-use restrictions, actual workload deployment, and independent compliance or outcome reports are unavailable in the reviewed public material.

```json
{
  "method": "military-ties-priority-v2",
  "entity": "moonshot",
  "company": "Moonshot AI / Kimi",
  "scope": "Moonshot AI / Kimi's relationships and safeguards. A company relationship does not identify every product or release used.",
  "components": {
    "restrictions": {
      "score": 0,
      "reason": "The reviewed terms or policy material contains no qualifying military-use restriction beyond general lawfulness/export compliance; this zero is limited to the reviewed source set.",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://moonshot-ai.gitbook.io/moonshot-ai/terms-and-agreement/terms-of-service-for-kimi-openplatform",
        "https://www.moonshot.ai/en",
        "https://huggingface.co/moonshotai"
      ]
    },
    "oversight": {
      "score": 0,
      "reason": "No military-specific review, enforcement, or remedy mechanism was disclosed in the sources reviewed.",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://moonshot-ai.gitbook.io/moonshot-ai/terms-and-agreement/terms-of-service-for-kimi-openplatform",
        "https://www.moonshot.ai/en",
        "https://huggingface.co/moonshotai"
      ]
    },
    "transparency": {
      "score": 0,
      "reason": "No military-specific relationship or military-specific transparency policy was disclosed in the materials reviewed; this is a scoped disclosure finding.",
      "sourceUrls": [
        "https://moonshot-ai.gitbook.io/moonshot-ai/terms-and-agreement/terms-of-service-for-kimi-openplatform",
        "https://www.moonshot.ai/en",
        "https://huggingface.co/moonshotai"
      ]
    }
  },
  "relationship": "not-established",
  "relationshipReason": "The reviewed Kimi platform terms and Moonshot model materials do not identify a defense contract or military deployment. Model availability through third parties or permissive downstream deployment does not establish Moonshot’s own government or military customer relationship.",
  "score": 7,
  "baseScore": 7,
  "safeguardPoints": 0,
  "safeguardAdjustment": 0,
  "rawScore": 7,
  "cap": null,
  "disclosureLimited": true,
  "meaning": "Known military relationships take priority over missing safeguards. The rating does not establish the probability of an undisclosed contract."
}
```

- [Kimi OpenPlatform Terms of Service](https://moonshot-ai.gitbook.io/moonshot-ai/terms-and-agreement/terms-of-service-for-kimi-openplatform) (primary; checked 2026-10-24)

- [Moonshot AI company and Kimi overview](https://www.moonshot.ai/en) (primary; checked 2026-10-24)

- [Moonshot AI model releases](https://huggingface.co/moonshotai) (primary; checked 2026-10-24)

## BDS targets

Finding: Not listed

Assessment: https://ethicalstack.ai/harnesses/kimi-code/#israel-palestine

We did not find Moonshot AI among the named targets in the two official BNC campaign lists checked on 2026-10-23. This is a limited list check, not BDS approval.

Reason: BDS campaign status is a factual category, not a 1–10 ethical rating.

Argument: Moonshot AI is not a named target in the checked lists, but BDS uses selective campaigns, so absence cannot establish a clean record. Running downloaded weights locally is a different decision from paying the developer or a cloud host; check the host as well. This entry carries the same developer/operator finding to Kimi Code CLI; it does not establish that this product was deployed under every cited relationship.

Type: evidence; confidence: medium

Scope (dimension): Moonshot AI: the documented developer/operator record, not proof of deployment of Kimi Code CLI.

Research reviewed: 2026-10-23; evidence date: not recorded

Unknowns: This review covers the named targets in the BNC consumer/pressure guide and No Tech campaign, not every BDS campaign, local group, investment or supplier. Lists and ownership can change. A company’s absence from these lists is not an endorsement or proof that it has no relevant relationships.

- [BNC: live guide to consumer boycott and pressure targets](https://bdsmovement.net/Guide-to-BDS-Boycott) (campaign; checked 2026-10-23)

- [BNC: No Tech for Oppression, Apartheid or Genocide campaign](https://bdsmovement.net/no-tech-oppression-apartheid-or-genocide) (campaign; checked 2026-10-23)

## Reading the evidence

- Assessments are provisional editorial judgments. Cite the profile and the underlying sources, and retain confidence, scope and unknowns.

- Unknown, not-applicable and model-dependent are different states. Missing evidence does not establish good or bad conduct.

- Company-level evidence does not establish use of a particular product or model. Account plan, model, host and route can change an assessment.

- Energy scores describe documented practices and transparency, not measured request emissions. Zero component points can mean an evidence gap.

- Published overall scores require at least four of six numerical dimensions. Preserve coverage and BDS adjustments; BDS itself is categorical.

- No named BDS target found is limited to the reviewed campaign sources and is not approval. Personalized priorities do not change the published overall score.

- Review and source-check dates describe the research, not this deployment. Fetch current primary sources when the decision requires current verification.

Methodology: https://ethicalstack.ai/methodology/