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Kilo Code Keyboard Patch

Patches Kilo Code VS Code extension keyboard behavior.

Supported versions:

Kilo Code Release KB Patch Version
7.3.50 1.1.x
7.3.46 1.0.x

This repo provides two ways to apply the patches:

  1. VS Code extension (src/extension.ts) -- Auto-detection, commands, status checking. Install as a .vsix.
  2. Standalone script (patch.py) -- Quick one-liner, no extension needed.

What it does

Unified keyboard behaviors

These apply everywhere -- chat input, permission prompts, and KiloClaw edit/chat panels:

Key Before (Kilo Code) After (patched)
Enter Send / Approve New line (Approve when textarea empty)
Cmd+Enter Send / Save Send / Approve / Save
Shift+Enter New line New line (unchanged)
Shift+Escape Reject / Abort Reject / Abort (always)
Escape Reject / Abort Reject / Abort only when textarea is empty

Permission prompt scenarios

When a permission prompt is visible, the textarea content determines which keys are routed to the chat input vs the permission buttons:

Key Textarea empty Textarea has content
Enter Approve New line (chat handles it)
Space Approve Space (chat handles it)
Escape Reject Dismiss autocomplete only (chat)
Cmd+Enter Approve Approve (without submitting)
Shift+Escape Reject Reject

Whitespace counts as content, so a textarea with only spaces or newlines routes keys to the chat input.

KB patch uses Shift+Escape instead of Cmd+Escape to avoid clashes with Claude Code's quick-launch shortcut.

VS Code Extension

Install

npm install
npm run compile
npx @vscode/vsce package
# Install the .vsix in VS Code
code --install-extension kilo-code-kb-patch-*.vsix

Usage

The extension auto-detects when Kilo Code is installed but unpatched and prompts you to apply.

Commands available via Command Palette (Cmd+Shift+P):

  • Kilo Code KB Patch: Apply Patches -- Apply all patches
  • Kilo Code KB Patch: Restore Originals -- Revert to original behavior
  • Kilo Code KB Patch: Show Status -- Show which patches are applied/original/missing

After applying or restoring, you will be prompted to reload the VS Code window.

Standalone Script

# Apply patches (default)
python3 patch.py

# Revert all patches to original
python3 patch.py restore

Then reload the VS Code window: Cmd+Shift+P → Developer: Reload Window

Re-run patch.py after every Kilo Code extension update (the script auto-finds the latest version).

Detailed Behavior Comparison to Claude Code

Chat Input (no permission prompt)

Key Claude Code (default) Claude Code (useCtrlEnterToSend=true) Kilo Code (native) Kilo Code (patched)
Enter Send Newline Send Newline
Shift+Enter Newline Newline Newline Newline
Cmd+Enter -- Send Send Send
Escape Dismiss autocomplete/abort Same Dismiss autocomplete/abort Dismiss autocomplete / abort only if empty

Permission Prompt -- Textarea Has Content

When the textarea has content, bare Enter/Space/Escape keydowns are routed to the chat input. Cmd+Enter approves, Shift+Escape rejects.

Key Claude Code Kilo Code (native) Kilo Code (patched)
Enter Wait for a short period before switching focus, if stop typing Approve Newline (chat handles it)
Cmd+Enter -- -- Approve
Space -- -- Space (chat handles it)
Escape Wait for a short period before switching focus, if stop typing Reject Dismiss autocomplete only (chat)
Shift+Escape -- Reject Reject

Permission Prompt -- Textarea Empty

(Claude Code hides the input in this case, so focus is on permission buttons)

Key Claude Code Kilo Code (native) Kilo Code (patched)
Enter Approve Approve Approve
Space Approve -- Approve
Escape Reject Reject Reject
Shift+Escape -- Reject Reject

Troubleshooting

  • Patch has no effect: Make sure you reloaded the VS Code window after patching.
  • Patterns not found: The Kilo Code extension may have updated and changed the minified code structure. Check the "Show Status" command output (extension) or SKIP messages (script) and update the patch patterns in src/extension.ts or patch.py.
  • Behavior reverts after update: Extension updates overwrite dist/. Re-apply patches.