Kimi (Moonshot AI) Commands & Prompt Reference
22 commands & parameters · 2 categories · Source: Kimi API Platform Docs
Moonshot's Kimi API is OpenAI-compatible on the surface, but its parameter set has its own character: max_completion_tokens stretches into the million-token range on Kimi K3, reasoning effort is always on and tunable between low, high, and max, and prompt_cache_key exists specifically so coding agents can keep cache hits high across a resumed session. This page lists the chat completion parameters and the model and mode tokens from the official platform documentation.
Partial Mode is the feature most worth memorizing: append an assistant message with partial set to true and your prefix in content, and the model is forced to open its reply with exactly that text - the documented way to pin a format or a first line.
All Commands
Chat API Parameters (16)
| Command / Syntax | What it does | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| model | Model ID to call; kimi-k3 is the default | Set to a model ID from the Models & Modes table below. |
| messages | The conversation message list; supports dynamic tool messages | A {"role": "system", "tools": [...]} message can be inserted at any position. |
| max_completion_tokens | Maximum tokens to generate | Kimi K3 defaults to 131072 and can be set up to 1048576. Replaces the deprecated max_tokens. |
| max_tokens | Deprecated token limit field | Use max_completion_tokens instead. |
| response_format | Controls the output format; {"type": "json_object"} enables JSON mode | Default is {"type": "text"}. In JSON mode you must also guide the model to output JSON in the prompt. |
| stop | Stop words that halt generation on a full match | Up to 5 strings, each at most 32 bytes; matched words are not output. |
| stream | Return the response as a stream | Boolean, default false. |
| stream_options | Options for streaming responses | Object with child attributes for stream behavior. |
| tools | A list of tools the model may call | Standard function-tool definitions. |
| tool_choice | Controls whether and how the model calls tools | auto (default), none, required, or an object forcing a specific function. |
| logprobs | Return log probabilities of the output tokens | Boolean, default false; values arrive in the logprobs field of the response. |
| top_logprobs | Number of most likely tokens to return per position | Integer 0-20; requires logprobs: true. |
| prediction | Predicted Output configuration to speed up largely-known responses | Useful when regenerating a file with only minor changes. |
| prompt_cache_key | Cache key to raise cache hit rates across similar requests | For coding agents, typically a session or task ID; reuse it when a session resumes. |
| safety_identifier | Stable per-user identifier for abuse detection | Hash the username or email rather than sending it raw. |
| reasoning_effort | Reasoning effort level for Kimi K3 thinking | Values: low, high, max (default max). K3 always thinks with Preserved Thinking. |
Models & Mode Tokens (6)
| Command / Syntax | What it does | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| kimi-k3 | Flagship model ID with always-on thinking | Default model; set as the model field value. |
| kimi-k2.7-code | Coding-focused model ID | Set as the model field value. |
| kimi-k2.7-code-highspeed | Faster variant of the coding model | Set as the model field value. |
| kimi-k2.6 | Previous-generation general model ID | Set as the model field value. |
| kimi-k2.5 | Older general model ID | Set as the model field value. |
| partial: true | Partial Mode: force the reply to continue from a given prefix | Append a message with role: assistant, partial: true, and the prefix text in content at the end of messages. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which model ID should I default to?
kimi-k3 is the platform default and flagship, with always-on Preserved Thinking. The k2.7-code variants target coding workloads, with a highspeed option.
How do I force the reply to start with specific text?
Use Partial Mode: end the messages list with {role: assistant, partial: true, content: your-prefix}. The model continues from that prefix.
Does Kimi support JSON mode?
Yes - set response_format to {"type": "json_object"} and also instruct the model in the prompt to output JSON.
Every entry on this page is a literal, typeable token taken from the official documentation linked above. Command sets in AI tools change quickly - the in-product command menu is always authoritative for your installed version.