How to Use Kilo Code

Getting started with Kilo Code

After this guide, you’ll be able to set up Kilo Code in Visual Studio Code or JetBrains, and use it to enhance your coding with AI assistance tailored to your needs.

Step 1: Sign up and set up

1. Go to the Kilo Code website.
2. Click on the Get Started button.
3. Select your preferred IDE (Visual Studio Code or JetBrains) and follow the instructions to download the extension.
4. Install the extension by opening your IDE, navigating to the extensions marketplace, and searching for "Kilo Code".
5. After installation, open Kilo Code from the extensions menu and create an account or log in.

Step 2: Your first coding task

1. Open a new or existing project in your IDE.
2. Start typing a comment in your code explaining what you want to achieve, for example, // Create a function to calculate the factorial of a number.
3. Press the Kilo Code activation key (usually Ctrl + Shift + K on Windows or Cmd + Shift + K on Mac).
4. Kilo Code will generate code based on your comment. Review the suggested code snippet and insert it into your file by pressing Enter.

Step 3: Get better results

1. Use specific and clear comments to guide Kilo Code. For example, instead of // Sort an array, try // Sort an array of integers in ascending order.
2. Experiment with different models by accessing the Kilo Code settings. Click the gear icon in the Kilo Code panel and select a different model from the dropdown menu to see which gives you the best results.
3. Regularly provide feedback on the generated code to help improve future suggestions.

Pro tip

Familiarise yourself with keyboard shortcuts for your IDE and Kilo Code. This can significantly speed up your workflow as you won't need to rely on the mouse to navigate through menus.

Common mistake to avoid

Avoid vague comments or instructions. If your comment is unclear, Kilo Code may generate irrelevant or incorrect code. Always be as specific as possible to get the best results.