Frontier
Routes to the latest and most capable paid models, using stronger reasoning models for planning, architecture, and debugging, and better-suited implementation models for coding and exploration.
Automatic model routing
The right model for every task
Auto Model routes each request to the model that best fits the work, so you spend less time choosing models and fewer credits on tasks that do not need frontier reasoning.
Model freedom without model management
Kilo gives you access to 500+ hosted, BYOK, and local models. Auto Model turns that choice into a default path: keep the freedom, delegate the routine selection work, and stay in flow as you move between coding, planning, debugging, and explanation tasks.
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Pick a tier
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Change modes
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Kilo routes
How Auto Model works
The routing strategy is simple to understand and flexible enough for different budgets.
Understands the work
Kilo looks at the mode and task shape before choosing the routing strategy.
Applies your tier
Frontier, Balanced, or Free defines the capability and cost envelope for routing.
Preserves control
Use Auto Model by default, or manually select hosted, BYOK, or local models when you prefer.
Choose your cost-control tier
Auto Model is explicit about the tradeoff you are choosing: maximum capability, cost-effective paid routing, or no-cost free-model routing.
Balanced
Routes all modes to a cost-effective paid model selected for the API interface in use. It is the best default when you want capable assistance without frontier prices.
Free
Routes to the best available free OpenRouter models and splits traffic across them. The mapping updates server-side as free-model availability changes.
You still control the model stack
Auto Model does not remove choice. It gives you a smarter default while keeping manual model selection, BYOK, local models, and tier selection available whenever you want them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Auto Model
Frequently Asked Questions
Find quick answers to common questions.
Let Kilo choose the model
Start with Kilo Code and use Auto Model when you want model freedom without the manual switching overhead.