Kimi K3 in Claude Code: Terminal Model Switching
Kimi K3 in Claude Code: Terminal Model Switching
Source: [https://x.com/i/status/2078989512718385247
What exactly is he s saying](https://x.com/i/status/2078989512718385247
What exactly is he s saying)
📌 On Jul 19, 2026, @RoundtableSpace shared a config-file tip for running Moonshot’s Kimi K3 (and other models) through Anthropic’s Claude Code CLI via shell aliases—no extra tools required.
💡 What the post is
A practical terminal tip, not a product launch or scandal: run Kimi K3 and other models inside Claude Code by overriding settings and aliasing short shell commands.
⚙️ Config file setup
Create ~/.claude/settings/kimi-k3.json with your Kimi API key and a base URL pointed at Kimi’s API. This is the preferred, settings-file method.
⌨️ Shell function aliases
Add a kimi() function in ~/.zshrc or ~/.bashrc that launches Claude Code with that settings file. After reloading the shell, type kimi (or claude, glm) to hot-swap models.
🔀 Works beyond Kimi
The same pattern works for other models—including Fable 5, GLM, and OpenRouter-hosted ones—so model choice becomes a one-word terminal command.
🚀 Why it matters
Claude Code is Anthropic-centric, but this “config black magic” lets developers use cheaper or different models without leaving the Claude Code workflow.
Key facts
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | 0xMarioNawfal (@RoundtableSpace), Mario Nawfal’s Crypto & AI account |
| Post date | Sun, 19 Jul 2026 ~23:45 GMT |
| Core claim | Use Claude Code with Kimi K3 and switch among models (claude / glm / kimi) with no external tools |
| Setup step 1 | Create ~/.claude/settings/kimi-k3.json with Kimi API key + base URL |
| Setup step 2 | Add a kimi() function in ~/.zshrc or ~/.bashrc that launches Claude Code with that settings file |
| Extra note | Same pattern works for other models including OpenRouter; post includes a ~9s demo video |
Details
In the post, @RoundtableSpace is not announcing a product or a scandal. He is sharing a preferred, config-file-based way to run Moonshot’s Kimi K3 through Anthropic’s Claude Code CLI, and to hot-swap models with short shell commands instead of installing extra tools.
The setup is two steps: put a Claude settings file at ~/.claude/settings/kimi-k3.json with your Kimi API key and base URL, then add a small shell function (kimi()) in ~/.zshrc or ~/.bashrc that starts Claude Code with that settings file. After reloading the shell, typing kimi (and similarly claude or glm for other setups) launches Claude Code pointed at that model.
Why it matters: many developers want cheaper or different models (Kimi K3, GLM, OpenRouter variants, etc.) without leaving the Claude Code workflow. Replies frame it as hacking ~/.claude/settings so model choice becomes a one-word terminal command. A short demo video is attached to the post.