AuravsK Kilo
Comparison · Kilo · open-source VS Code AI agent

Where a coding assistant ends, a control layer begins.

Kilo Code is an open, multi-mode AI agent in your editor with a big provider and mode marketplace. Aura is the engine above whatever assistant you use: every agent in one window, a verdict on every change, and a record of why it happened.

A multi-mode in-editor assistant, vs a control layer that reads, proves and records what any agent does.
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The short version

What each one is for

K

What Kilo is great at

  • Modes for the job

    Architect, code and debug modes (plus a marketplace of custom ones) shape the agent to the task.

  • Open and BYO-provider

    Open-source, bring-your-own-key, with a wide choice of models and providers.

  • In your editor

    Runs as a VS Code extension, right where you already work.

What Aura adds on top

  • One shelf across every agent

    Aura reads every agent's skills, commands and rules (not one tool's modes) and shows them in one place.

  • Many engines, one history

    Drive several agents from one window on one shared history, instead of one assistant at a time.

  • Proof and provenance

    A goal ↔ commit verdict and a sealed, portable record, beyond an in-editor session.

Head to head

Dimension by dimension

Layer
AuraThe engine over your Git that reads and proves what any agent did.
KiloA multi-mode agent inside your editor that makes the edits.
Shaping the agent
AuraReads every agent’s skills, commands and rules onto one shelf, shared with the team via the repo.
KiloIts own modes and a marketplace, scoped to Kilo.
How many agents
AuraMany engines, one window, one shared history.
KiloOne assistant at a time.
Reading a change
AuraAST-level semantic diff with plain-language meaning.
KiloThe standard text diff in the editor.
Proof
AuraA sealed goal ↔ commit verdict you can hand to anyone.
KiloNo proof ledger. You review the diff yourself.
Open source
AuraThe whole thing is Apache-2.0 on GitHub: engine, CLI, desktop app and extension.
KiloOpen-source too, at the editor-agent layer.
Capabilities

Side by side

Capability
Aura
K Kilo
Runs inside VS Code
Multiple work modes / marketplace
Drives multiple agents on one history
One shelf of every agent's skills
Sits on the Git you already use
AST-level semantic diff
Intent recorded on every commit
Goal ↔ commit proof verdict
Sealed, portable provenance record
Autonomous work-loop with a proof gate
Open source
Compared on public capabilities, mid-2026. ● full · − partial · ✕ none.
Honest advice

When to pick which

K

Pick Kilo if…

  • You want a multi-mode assistant inside VS Code.
  • A wide model/provider choice and a mode marketplace matter to you.
  • One assistant, one editor, is the setup you want.

Pick Aura if…

  • You run several agents and want them on one history.
  • You want every agent's skills on one shelf, shared with your team.
  • You need proof, provenance and a live team view above the editor.
Not either/or

Keep Kilo. Add the control layer.

Kilo edits inside the editor; Aura is the layer above it. Keep Kilo. Aura reads what it changed, proves it against the goal, and reads Kilo's own rules onto the same shelf as every other agent.

Questions

Aura & Kilo

Is Aura just another in-editor assistant?

No. Aura is the engine above the editor: it reads, proves and records what any assistant does on your Git, and drives several agents at once.

Can Aura read Kilo’s rules and modes?

Aura reads the skills, commands and rules each agent keeps on your machine and in the repo, and shows them on one shelf beside every other agent’s.

Do I have to leave VS Code?

No. Aura sits on your Git. Keep Kilo in VS Code and add the control layer around it.

Ship with proof, not hope

Free public beta for macOS and Linux. Point it at a repo and keep driving Kilo, now with a semantic diff, a verdict and a record on every change.

Try the CLI