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Add back free and budget models page

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Brendan O'Leary
2026-01-27 15:12:38 +01:00
parent 2ed74789ed
commit 9d891540a0
4 changed files with 317 additions and 33 deletions
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packages/kilo-docs/lib/nav/code-with-ai.ts
+4
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@@ -37,6 +37,10 @@ export const CodeWithAiNav: NavSection[] = [
href: "/code-with-ai/agents/model-selection",
children: "Model Selection",
},
{
href: "/code-with-ai/agents/free-and-budget-models",
children: "Free & Budget Models",
},
],
},
{
packages/kilo-docs/mappingplan.md
+28 -32
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@@ -1,22 +1,18 @@
This is a great exercise. Let me map everything out.
---
## Mapping Existing Pages to New Structure
### Get Started
| New Item | Existing Page(s) |
| --------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| ☑️ Introduction / Overview | `index`, `getting-started/concepts` |
| ☑️ Installation | `getting-started/installing` |
| ☑️ Quickstart | `getting-started/your-first-task` |
| ☑️ Setup & Authentication | `getting-started/setting-up`, `getting-started/connecting-api-provider` |
| ☑️ AI Providers | `basic-usage/connecting-providers`, `providers/*` (all of them) |
| Settings | `basic-usage/settings-management` |
| ☑️ Adding Credits | `basic-usage/adding-credits` |
| ☑️ FAQ | Keep if it exists |
| ☑️ Migrating from Cursor/Windsurf | `advanced-usage/migrating-from-cursor-windsurf` |
| New Item | Existing Page(s) |
| ------------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Introduction / Overview | `index`, `getting-started/concepts` |
| Installation | `getting-started/installing` |
| Quickstart | `getting-started/your-first-task` |
| Setup & Authentication | `getting-started/setting-up`, `getting-started/connecting-api-provider` |
| AI Providers | `basic-usage/connecting-providers`, `providers/*` (all of them) |
| Settings | `basic-usage/settings-management` |
| Adding Credits | `basic-usage/adding-credits` |
| FAQ | Keep if it exists |
| Migrating from Cursor/Windsurf | `advanced-usage/migrating-from-cursor-windsurf` |
---
@@ -27,9 +23,9 @@ This is a great exercise. Let me map everything out.
| **Platforms** (subheader) | |
| VS Code Extension | Needs new page (or pull from install) |
| JetBrains Extension | Needs new page |
| ☑️ CLI | `cli` |
| ☑️ Cloud Agent | `advanced-usage/cloud-agent` (partial) |
| ☑️ Mobile Apps | Needs new page |
| CLI | `cli` |
| Cloud Agent | `advanced-usage/cloud-agent` (partial) |
| Mobile Apps | Needs new page |
| Slack | `slack` |
| **Working with Agents** (subheader) | |
| The Chat Interface | `basic-usage/the-chat-interface` |
@@ -37,6 +33,7 @@ This is a great exercise. Let me map everything out.
| Using Modes | `basic-usage/using-modes` |
| Orchestrator Mode | `basic-usage/orchestrator-mode` |
| Model Selection | `basic-usage/model-selection-guide` |
| Free & Budget Models | `advanced-usage/free-and-budget-models` |
| **Features** (subheader) | |
| Autocomplete | `basic-usage/autocomplete/index`, `basic-usage/autocomplete/mistral-setup` |
| Code Actions | `features/code-actions` |
@@ -93,20 +90,20 @@ This is a great exercise. Let me map everything out.
| New Item | Existing Page(s) |
| ------------------------------ | ------------------------------------- |
| ☑️ Integrations Overview | `advanced-usage/integrations` |
| ☑️ Code Reviews | `advanced-usage/code-reviews` |
| ☑️ Agent Manager | `advanced-usage/agent-manager` |
| Integrations Overview | `advanced-usage/integrations` |
| Code Reviews | `advanced-usage/code-reviews` |
| Agent Manager | `advanced-usage/agent-manager` |
| **Extending Kilo** (subheader) | |
| ☑️ Local Models | `advanced-usage/local-models` |
| ☑️ Shell Integration | `features/shell-integration` |
| ☑️ Auto-launch Configuration | `features/auto-launch-configuration` |
| Local Models | `advanced-usage/local-models` |
| Shell Integration | `features/shell-integration` |
| Auto-launch Configuration | `features/auto-launch-configuration` |
| **MCP** (subheader) | |
| ☑️ MCP Overview | `features/mcp/overview` |
| ☑️ Using MCP in Kilo Code | `features/mcp/using-mcp-in-kilo-code` |
| ☑️ Using MCP in CLI | `features/mcp/using-mcp-in-cli` |
| ☑️ What is MCP | `features/mcp/what-is-mcp` |
| ☑️ Server Transports | `features/mcp/server-transports` |
| ☑️ MCP vs API | `features/mcp/mcp-vs-api` |
| MCP Overview | `features/mcp/overview` |
| Using MCP in Kilo Code | `features/mcp/using-mcp-in-kilo-code` |
| Using MCP in CLI | `features/mcp/using-mcp-in-cli` |
| What is MCP | `features/mcp/what-is-mcp` |
| Server Transports | `features/mcp/server-transports` |
| MCP vs API | `features/mcp/mcp-vs-api` |
---
@@ -173,8 +170,7 @@ This is a great exercise. Let me map everything out.
| `advanced-usage/auto-cleanup` | Fold into Settings |
| `features/model-temperature` | Fold into Model Selection |
| `advanced-usage/rate-limits-costs` | Fold into Adding Credits or AI Providers |
| `advanced-usage/free-and-budget-models` | Fold into Model Selection |
| `features/footgun-prompting` | This feels like a blog post, not docs - consider removing or moving to tips |
| `features/footgun-prompting` | Remove |
| `tips-and-tricks` | Could become a blog post or fold relevant bits elsewhere |
| `features/experimental/experimental-features` | Keep but maybe as a single page, not a section |
| **Tools Reference (entire section)** | This is 17 pages. Consider: (1) Keep as reference section but not in main nav, (2) Link from relevant pages, (3) Auto-generate from code |
packages/kilo-docs/pages/code-with-ai/agents/free-and-budget-models.md
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@@ -0,0 +1,284 @@
---
title: Free and Budget Models
description: Learn how to use Kilo Code effectively while minimizing or eliminating costs through free models, budget-friendly alternatives, and smart usage strategies.
---
# Free and Budget Models
**Why this matters:** AI model costs can add up quickly during development. This guide shows you how to use Kilo Code effectively while minimizing or eliminating costs through free models, budget-friendly alternatives, and smart usage strategies.
## Completely Free Options
### Grok Code Fast 1
This frontier AI model is 100% free in Kilo Code for a limited time. [See the blog post for more details](https://blog.kilo.ai/p/grok-code-fast-get-this-frontier-ai-model-free).
### OpenRouter Free Tier Models
OpenRouter offers several models with generous free tiers. **Note:** You'll need to create a free OpenRouter account to access these models.
**Setup:**
1. Create a free [OpenRouter account](https://openrouter.ai)
2. Get your API key from the dashboard
3. Configure Kilo Code with the OpenRouter provider
**Available free models:**
- **Qwen3 Coder (free)** - Optimized for agentic coding tasks such as function calling, tool use, and long-context reasoning over repositories.
- **Z.AI: GLM 4.5 Air (free)** - Lightweight variant of the GLM-4.5 family, purpose-built for agent-centric applications.
- **DeepSeek: R1 0528 (free)** - Performance on par with OpenAI o1, but open-sourced and with fully open reasoning tokens.
- **MoonshotAI: Kimi K2 (free)** - Optimized for agentic capabilities, including advanced tool use, reasoning, and code synthesis.
## Cost-Effective Premium Models
When you need more capability than free models provide, these options deliver excellent value:
### Ultra-Budget Champions (Under $0.50 per million tokens)
**Mistral Devstral Small**
- **Cost:** ~$0.20 per million input tokens
- **Best for:** Code generation, debugging, refactoring
- **Performance:** 85% of premium model capability at 10% of the cost
**Llama 4 Maverick**
- **Cost:** ~$0.30 per million input tokens
- **Best for:** Complex reasoning, architecture planning
- **Performance:** Excellent for most development tasks
**DeepSeek v3**
- **Cost:** ~$0.27 per million input tokens
- **Best for:** Code analysis, large codebase understanding
- **Performance:** Strong technical reasoning
### Mid-Range Value Models ($0.50-$2.00 per million tokens)
**Qwen3 235B**
- **Cost:** ~$1.20 per million input tokens
- **Best for:** Complex projects requiring high accuracy
- **Performance:** Near-premium quality at 40% of the cost
## Smart Usage Strategies
### The 50% Rule
**Principle:** Use budget models for 50% of your tasks, premium models for the other 50%.
**Budget model tasks:**
- Code reviews and analysis
- Documentation writing
- Simple bug fixes
- Boilerplate generation
- Refactoring existing code
**Premium model tasks:**
- Complex architecture decisions
- Debugging difficult issues
- Performance optimization
- New feature design
- Critical production code
### Context Management for Cost Savings
**Minimize context size:**
```typescript
// Instead of mentioning entire files
@src/components/UserProfile.tsx
// Mention specific functions or sections
@src/components/UserProfile.tsx:45-67
```
**Use Memory Bank effectively:**
- Store project context once in [Memory Bank](/advanced-usage/memory-bank)
- Reduces need to re-explain project details
- Saves 200-500 tokens per conversation
**Strategic file mentions:**
- Only include files directly relevant to the task
- Use [`@folder/`](/basic-usage/context-mentions) for broad context, specific files for targeted work
### Model Switching Strategies
**Start cheap, escalate when needed:**
1. **Begin with free models** (Qwen3 Coder, GLM-4.5-Air)
2. **Switch to budget models** if free models struggle
3. **Escalate to premium models** only for complex tasks
**Use API Configuration Profiles:**
- Set up [multiple profiles](/features/api-configuration-profiles) for different cost tiers
- Quick switching between free, budget, and premium models
- Match model capability to task complexity
### Mode-Based Cost Optimization
**Use appropriate modes to limit expensive operations:**
- **[Ask Mode](/basic-usage/using-modes#ask-mode):** Information gathering without code changes
- **[Architect Mode](/basic-usage/using-modes#architect-mode):** Planning without expensive file operations
- **[Debug Mode](/basic-usage/using-modes#debug-mode):** Focused troubleshooting
**Custom modes for budget control:**
- Create modes that restrict expensive tools
- Limit file access to specific directories
- Control which operations are auto-approved
## Real-World Performance Comparisons
### Code Generation Tasks
**Simple function creation:**
- **Mistral Devstral Small:** 95% success rate
- **GPT-4:** 98% success rate
- **Cost difference:** Free vs $0.20 vs $30 per million tokens
**Complex refactoring:**
- **Budget models:** 70-80% success rate
- **Premium models:** 90-95% success rate
- **Recommendation:** Start with budget, escalate if needed
### Debugging Performance
**Simple bugs:**
- **Free models:** Usually sufficient
- **Budget models:** Excellent performance
- **Premium models:** Overkill for most cases
**Complex system issues:**
- **Free models:** 40-60% success rate
- **Budget models:** 60-80% success rate
- **Premium models:** 85-95% success rate
## Hybrid Approach Recommendations
### Daily Development Workflow
**Morning planning session:**
- Use **Architect mode** with **DeepSeek R1**
- Plan features and architecture
- Create task breakdowns
**Implementation phase:**
- Use **Code mode** with **budget models**
- Generate and modify code
- Handle routine development tasks
**Complex problem solving:**
- Switch to **premium models** when stuck
- Use for critical debugging
- Architecture decisions affecting multiple systems
### Project Phase Strategy
**Early development:**
- Free and budget models for prototyping
- Rapid iteration without cost concerns
- Establish patterns and structure
**Production preparation:**
- Premium models for critical code review
- Performance optimization
- Security considerations
## Cost Monitoring and Control
### Track Your Usage
**Monitor credit consumption:**
- Check cost estimates in chat history
- Review monthly usage patterns
- Identify high-cost operations
**Set spending limits:**
- Use provider billing alerts
- Configure [rate limits](/advanced-usage/rate-limits-costs) to control usage
- Set daily/monthly budgets
### Cost-Saving Tips
**Reduce system prompt size:**
- [Disable MCP](/features/mcp/using-mcp-in-kilo-code) if not using external tools
- Use focused custom modes
- Minimize unnecessary context
**Optimize conversation length:**
- Use [Checkpoints](/features/checkpoints) to reset context
- Start fresh conversations for unrelated tasks
- Archive completed work
**Batch similar tasks:**
- Group related code changes
- Handle multiple files in single requests
- Reduce conversation overhead
## Getting Started with Budget Models
### Quick Setup Guide
1. **Create OpenRouter account** for free models
2. **Configure multiple providers** in Kilo Code
3. **Set up API Configuration Profiles** for easy switching
4. **Escalate to budget models** when needed
5. **Reserve premium models** for complex work
### Recommended Provider Mix
**Free tier foundation:**
- [OpenRouter](/providers/openrouter) - Free models
- [Groq](/providers/groq) - Fast inference for supported models
- [Z.ai](https://z.ai/model-api) - Provides a free model GLM-4.5-Flash
**Budget tier options:**
- [DeepSeek](/providers/deepseek) - Excellent value models
- [Mistral](/providers/mistral) - Specialized coding models
**Premium tier backup:**
- [Anthropic](/providers/anthropic) - Claude for complex reasoning
- [OpenAI](/providers/openai) - GPT-4 for critical tasks
## Measuring Success
**Track these metrics:**
- Monthly AI costs vs. development productivity
- Task completion rates by model tier
- Time saved vs. money spent
- Code quality improvements
**Success indicators:**
- 70%+ of tasks completed with free/budget models
- Monthly costs under your target budget
- Maintained or improved code quality
- Faster development cycles
By combining free models, strategic budget model usage, and smart optimization techniques, you can harness the full power of AI-assisted development while keeping costs minimal. Start with free options and gradually incorporate budget models as your needs and comfort with costs grow.
packages/kilo-docs/previous-docs-redirects.js
+1 -1
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@@ -616,7 +616,7 @@ module.exports = [
},
{
source: "/advanced-usage/free-and-budget-models",
destination: "/docs/code-with-ai/agents/model-selection",
destination: "/docs/code-with-ai/agents/free-and-budget-models",
basePath: false,
permanent: true,
},