OpenAI Codex CLI vs Kilo CodeUpdated 2026-03-18

SUMMARY

OpenAI Codex CLI (CLI) uses markdown configuration while Kilo Code (IDE) uses markdown. They differ on 5 of 11 compared features. Both tools provide AI-assisted development but take different approaches to project configuration.

FEATURE COMPARISON

FeatureOpenAI Codex CLIKilo Code
Config formatmarkdownmarkdown
Hierarchy support
Global config
Project config
Subdirectory scoping
File inclusion / imports
Ignore file.codexignore
IDE integrationCLI
Schema / structureFree-form (Markdown)Free-form (Markdown)
Git committed
EncodingUTF-8UTF-8

FILE MAPPING

PurposeOpenAI Codex CLIKilo Code
Settings / configuration~/.codex/config.toml.kilocodemodes

SIDE-BY-SIDE CODE SAMPLES

OpenAI Codex CLI
AGENTS.md
markdown
# AGENTS.md

## Project Overview

This is a Next.js 14 e-commerce application using the App Router,
Server Components, and Drizzle ORM with PostgreSQL.

## Code Conventions

- Use TypeScript strict mode throughout
- Prefer Server Components; use "use client" only when necessary
- Name files with kebab-case: `product-card.tsx`, not `ProductCard.tsx`
- Co-locate tests: `product-card.test.tsx` next to `product-card.tsx`

## Architecture

- `app/`           — Next.js App Router pages and layouts
- `components/`    — Shared UI components
- `lib/`           — Utilities, database client, auth helpers
- `actions/`       — Server Actions for mutations

## Testing

- Use Vitest for unit tests, Playwright for E2E
- Mock database calls using `lib/test-utils.ts` helpers
- Every new component needs at least one test

## Build Commands

```bash
pnpm dev          # Start dev server
pnpm build        # Production build
pnpm test         # Run Vitest
pnpm test:e2e     # Run Playwright
pnpm lint         # ESLint check
```
Kilo Code
.kilorules
markdown
# Project Rules

## Stack
- TypeScript 5.x with strict mode
- React 19 + Next.js 15 (App Router)
- Tailwind CSS v4 for styling
- Drizzle ORM for database access

## Code Standards
- Named exports only (no default exports)
- Prefer `const` assertions and satisfies operator
- Use Result<T, E> pattern for error handling
- Maximum 30 lines per function

## File Organization
- Colocate tests: `foo.ts` → `foo.test.ts`
- One component per file
- Barrel exports (index.ts) for public module APIs

## Git
- Conventional commits: feat|fix|chore|docs|test
- Squash merge feature branches
- Branch naming: type/description

KEY DIFFERENCES

1. Hierarchy support

OpenAI Codex CLI: Supported. Kilo Code: Not supported.

2. Global config

OpenAI Codex CLI: Supported. Kilo Code: Not supported.

3. Subdirectory scoping

OpenAI Codex CLI: Supported. Kilo Code: Not supported.

4. Ignore file

OpenAI Codex CLI: .codexignore. Kilo Code: Not supported.

5. IDE integration

OpenAI Codex CLI: CLI. Kilo Code: Supported.

WHICH SHOULD I USE?

Recommendation

Choose based on your IDE/CLI preference. If you use OpenAI Codex CLI, configure AGENTS.md. If you use Kilo Code, configure .kilocodemodes. Many projects include config files for multiple tools so each team member can use their preferred editor.

PORTABILITY TIP

sync-instructions.sh
bash
# Maintain a single source of truth:
cp AI-INSTRUCTIONS.md CLAUDE.md
cp AI-INSTRUCTIONS.md .cursorrules
cp AI-INSTRUCTIONS.md AGENTS.md

SEE ALSO

agentconfig.ing2026-03-18COMPARE(1)