Using OpenAI With Kilo Code

Kilo Code supports accessing models directly through the official OpenAI API.

Website: https://openai.com/

💡Tip

Want to use your ChatGPT subscription instead? Connect OpenAI (ChatGPT subscription) on Kilo's BYOK page, or sign in to OpenAI directly in VS Code or the CLI. These are separate from the API-key setup below. See ChatGPT subscription setup for supported usage, limits, and billing details.

An OpenAI API key uses your OpenAI Platform billing account, not your ChatGPT subscription. Signing in to Kilo with ChatGPT also does not automatically connect your subscription for model usage.

Getting an API Key

  1. Sign Up/Sign In: Go to the OpenAI Platform. Create an account or sign in.
  2. Navigate to API Keys: Go to the API keys page.
  3. Create a Key: Click "Create new secret key". Give your key a descriptive name (e.g., "Kilo Code").
  4. Copy the Key: Important: Copy the API key immediately. You will not be able to see it again. Store it securely.

Configuration in Kilo Code

Open Settings (gear icon) and go to the Providers tab to add OpenAI and enter your API key.

The extension stores this in your kilo.json config file. You can also edit the config file directly — see the CLI tab for the file format.

Tips and Notes

  • Pricing: Refer to the OpenAI Pricing page for details on model costs.
  • Azure OpenAI Service: Use Kilo Code's native azure provider for Azure OpenAI, especially GPT-5 deployments. Do not configure Azure GPT-5 through a generic OpenAI-compatible custom provider.