# Configuration and troubleshooting

> Code's optional config file, and the five things that usually go wrong: a missing command, a lost login, a stopped runtime, a recipe Kaitoi Studio cannot see, and a failed download.

Source: https://kaitoi.io/docs/cli/configuration/
Section: Kaitoi CLI
Written for: Anyone whose CLI install is not behaving.
Last reviewed: 2026-09-16

---

## Configuration

Kaitoi Code has an optional JSON config file for defaults: provider, model,
command limits, Runtime host, port and autostart, output style, and extra
local-file deny patterns.

Create it from inside Code:

```text
/config init
```

Code prints the new file's location. Edit that file to change defaults for
future sessions. To see what is currently loaded:

```text
/config
```

`/provider`, `/model` and `/commands` change the current session only. They do
not rewrite the config file behind your back.

## `kaitoi` command not found

Restart your terminal after installation, then try again. On Linux, make sure
the AppImage is executable.

On Windows, close every terminal window after installing or upgrading. If an old
version still opens, check which binary is first in `PATH`:

```powershell
where.exe kaitoi
Get-Command kaitoi -All
```

## Code says it is not logged in

```bash
kaitoi connect login
```

Then restart `kaitoi code`.

## Runtime is not running

Start it from the dashboard, or:

```bash
kaitoi runtime serve
```

To let Code start Runtime itself when a recipe tool needs it, create the config
with `/config init`, then set `runtime.autoStart` to `true` in that file.

## Kaitoi Studio does not show an installed recipe

Check each layer in order:

```bash
kaitoi runtime packages
kaitoi status
```

Then open **Settings → Integrations → Runtime**, refresh the connection, and confirm
the Runtime URL matches the one Kaitoi Connect reports. If you generated a
recipe but never installed it, install it first:

```bash
kaitoi runtime install ./my-recipe.yaml
```

## A download link fails

Open the latest release and confirm the installer asset exists:

[github.com/kaitoi-labs/kaitoi-cli/releases/latest](https://github.com/kaitoi-labs/kaitoi-cli/releases/latest)