Checkpoints

Checkpoints automatically version your workspace files during Kilo Code tasks, enabling non-destructive exploration of AI suggestions and easy recovery from unwanted changes.

Checkpoints let you:

  • Safely experiment with AI-suggested changes
  • Easily recover from undesired modifications
  • Compare different implementation approaches
  • Revert to previous project states without losing work

Configuration Options

Checkpoints (called snapshots in the new extension) are configured via the snapshot key in your config file (kilo.jsonc or ~/.config/kilo/kilo.jsonc):

{
  "snapshot": true
}

You can also toggle this in Settings:

  1. Open Settings by clicking the gear icon
  2. Go to the Checkpoints tab
  3. Toggle the snapshot setting

How Checkpoints Work

The new extension uses git-based snapshots of your working directory. Snapshots are taken before and after agent edits. They integrate with your existing Git repository — no separate shadow repository is created.

Reverting changes:

You can revert any message's changes from the chat. A Revert Banner appears at the top of the chat when the session is in a reverted state, making it clear that you are viewing an earlier state. Use the banner to unrevert and return to the latest state.

Working with Checkpoints

Checkpoints are integrated directly into your workflow through the chat interface. Each message that caused file changes shows a diff summary. You can:

  • Click the diff badge on a message to open the Diff Viewer and review what changed
  • Click Revert on any message to restore the workspace to its state before that message

A Revert Banner is shown at the top of the chat whenever you are in a reverted state, with an option to return to the current state.

Limitations and Considerations

  • Scope: Checkpoints only capture changes made during active Kilo Code tasks
  • External changes: Modifications made outside of tasks (manual edits, other tools) aren't included
  • Large files: Very large binary files may impact performance
  • Unsaved work: Restoration will overwrite any unsaved changes in your workspace

Technical Implementation

The new extension uses the underlying Git repository in your workspace to create snapshot commits. No shadow repository is used.

Git Installation

Checkpoints require Git to be installed on your system.

macOS

  1. Install with Homebrew (recommended):

    brew install git

  2. Alternative: Install with Xcode Command Line Tools:

    xcode-select --install

  3. Verify installation:

    • Open Terminal
    • Type git --version
    • You should see a version number like git version 2.40.0

Windows

  1. Download Git for Windows:

    • Visit https://git-scm.com/download/win
    • The download should start automatically

  2. Run the installer:

    • Accept the license agreement
    • Choose installation location (default is recommended)
    • Select components (default options are typically sufficient)
    • Choose the default editor
    • Choose how to use Git from the command line (recommended: Git from the command line and also from 3rd-party software)
    • Configure line ending conversions (recommended: Checkout Windows-style, commit Unix-style)
    • Complete the installation

  3. Verify installation:

    • Open Command Prompt or PowerShell
    • Type git --version
    • You should see a version number like git version 2.40.0.windows.1

Linux

Debian/Ubuntu:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install git

Fedora:

sudo dnf install git

Arch Linux:

sudo pacman -S git

Verify installation:

  • Open Terminal
  • Type git --version
  • You should see a version number