VS Code extension.

The Kaitoi Code extension brings a chat view, tool activity, permissions, and diffs into VS Code. It starts your installed CLI through ACP and uses the same Code runtime. This guide describes the extension in CLI 0.9.0; it does not assume that an extension Marketplace release is available.

#Connect the installed CLI

Install the provided VSIX through VS Code's Extensions: Install from VSIX command. Open a local project and grant VS Code workspace trust when appropriate. Virtual and untrusted workspaces are not supported.

Open Kaitoi Code in the Activity Bar and use its Chat view. The extension launches kaitoi code acp. If VS Code cannot find the executable, set kaitoiCode.executablePath to its absolute path. A bundled CLI or a PATH available in your terminal is not necessarily visible to a separately launched editor.

#Add the relevant code

Select code in the editor, then run Kaitoi Code: Send Selection. This adds the selection as context for your next message; it does not immediately send a model request. Explain the intended change in chat before submitting. The selection is a text snapshot with file context, not a live link that follows later edits.

Selected editor text is attached to the next chat message. The extension sends that message through its child Kaitoi Code ACP process. Text, tool activity, diffs, and permission questions return to the editor. This is a conceptual connection diagram, not a replica of VS Code's layout or an HTTP server setup.

Only line 19, return null, enters the selected-code attachment. Lines 18 and 20 remain outside that selection. A distinct message-dispatch boundary shows that attaching context alone does not start the turn.

#Choose defaults for new sessions

Setting	Effect
kaitoiCode.executablePath	CLI executable; default kaitoi. This is a machine setting.
kaitoiCode.provider	Provider for new sessions; empty uses Code's default.
kaitoiCode.model	Model for new sessions; empty uses Code's default.
kaitoiCode.mode	Plan, Build, or Crew for new sessions.
kaitoiCode.permissionModal	Whether permission questions use the modal presentation; default false.

Use Kaitoi Code: New Session after changing defaults. Use Kaitoi Code: Sign In for the browser login flow when using managed providers. Local model access has its own endpoint requirements.

#Review work in the editor

VS Code trust and Code's first-turn folder trust are separate decisions. Neither automatically approves every tool, paid operation, or Crew run. Read each permission question and inspect diffs before accepting a proposed action.

Kaitoi Code: Cancel requests cancellation of the active turn. Completed edits and dispatched remote work are not automatically rolled back. For transport capabilities and limitations—including unavailable ACP subagents—see the ACP guide.