MiMo Code

As a freelancer constantly looking for tools that can genuinely boost productivity, I’m always wary of new AI solutions promising the moon. Many fall short, especially when it comes to the messy, long-term reality of real-world coding projects. That's why when I heard about MiMo Code, an open-source AI coding agent from Xiaomi MiMo, I was immediately intrigued. The buzz was all about its "explicit long-term memory architecture" – a feature often talked about but rarely delivered effectively in AI coding assistants.

Having spent some time putting it through its paces, I can confidently say MiMo Code isn't just another flashy tool. It’s a serious contender designed to tackle one of the biggest headaches for developers using AI: the dreaded context loss in long, multi-step tasks. Let's dive into what makes this new agent tick.

What is MiMo Code and What Core Problem Does It Solve?

MiMo Code, officially launched on June 10, 2026, is an open-source, terminal-native AI coding assistant developed by Xiaomi's MiMo AI team. Think of it as an intelligent coding partner that lives right inside your terminal, capable of reading and writing code, running commands, and managing Git operations.

The core problem it aims to solve is the "amnesia" that plagues many AI coding agents. If you've ever used an AI assistant for coding, you know that as a session gets longer and the context window fills up, the AI starts forgetting earlier decisions, architectural constraints, and even the overall project goal. This forces you to constantly re-explain things, leading to frustration and inefficiency.

MiMo Code tackles this head-on with a robust, cross-session memory system. Instead of just compressing information or relying solely on a limited context window, it actively stores and retrieves project-level knowledge, ensuring continuity across sessions. This means the agent retains a deep understanding of your project, allowing it to handle complex, long-horizon tasks that might span days or even weeks without losing its way.

How Does It Work? – A Glimpse Under the Hood

At its heart, MiMo Code is built as a fork of the open-source OpenCode agent, but Xiaomi has significantly enhanced it with its own unique memory architecture and workflow modes. The magic lies in its layered memory system and intelligent context management.

Instead of a single, ever-growing conversation history, MiMo Code uses several distinct memory layers, all powered by an SQLite FTS5 full-text search engine for efficient storage and retrieval:

• Project Memory (MEMORY.md): This is your persistent, long-term memory. It stores critical project knowledge, architectural decisions, user-defined rules, and verified technical facts. It’s designed to live with the project for its entire lifecycle.
• Session Checkpoints (checkpoint.md): These are structured snapshots of the agent's state within a logical session. An independent "checkpoint-writer" subagent handles this in the background, making sure the primary coding agent isn't interrupted.
• Scratch Notes (notes.md): A temporary area for agents to jot down notes during their thought process.
• Task Progress Logs (tasks/<id>/progress.md): Detailed logs for each specific task, integrated with the checkpoint system to track execution progress.

When you resume a session, MiMo Code automatically injects the relevant memory, so the agent doesn't need to relearn everything from scratch. It also intelligently manages context, creating automatic checkpoints, reconstructing context when limits are reached, and using token budgeting to prioritize the most relevant information.

Beyond memory, MiMo Code features a multi-agent system, allowing it to switch between different "modes" (like `build`, `plan`, and `compose`) and even spawn subagents for parallel execution. This structured approach, combined with its unique memory architecture, allows it to perform complex tasks that would overwhelm other agents.

Key Features and Freelancer Use Cases

MiMo Code packs a punch with features designed to make a freelancer's life easier, especially on bigger projects:

• Explicit Long-Term Memory: This is the headline feature. For me, as a freelancer often juggling multiple client projects, the ability for MiMo Code to remember a project's architecture, specific client requirements, and past decisions across weeks is invaluable. No more re-explaining the nuances of a legacy codebase every time I open it. It saves a ton of time and reduces errors.
• Compose Mode: This is a game-changer for structured development. I can give MiMo Code a high-level specification, and it will autonomously handle the full development cycle: planning, coding, testing, and even code review. Imagine defining a new feature for a web app, and the agent orchestrates the entire implementation, allowing me to focus on higher-level design or client communication.
• Self-Evolving System (Dream & Distill): The `/dream` command, which runs periodically (about every seven days), reviews old sessions, cleans up duplicates, and compresses knowledge into the long-term memory. The `/distill` function, running monthly, takes repeated workflows and turns them into reusable skills. This means MiMo Code literally gets smarter and more efficient the more I use it on a project, adapting to my specific coding patterns and project needs. It's like having an apprentice who learns on the job and gets better over time.
• Terminal-Native Operation: As someone who spends most of their day in the terminal, this is perfect. MiMo Code integrates directly into my existing workflow, allowing me to interact with it naturally without switching between different GUIs. It can read/write files, execute commands, and manage Git, all from where I already work.
• Model Agnostic: While it comes with Xiaomi's powerful MiMo V2.5 model, MiMo Code supports other major LLM providers like Anthropic, OpenAI, DeepSeek, and more. This flexibility is crucial for freelancers who might have preferred models or need to switch based on project requirements or cost-effectiveness. It also helps avoid vendor lock-in.
• Zero Configuration & Claude Code Compatibility: For a quick start, "MiMo Auto" provides limited-time free access to MiMo V2.5 without any setup. Plus, if you're migrating from Claude Code, it can automatically import your existing MCP servers, skills, and API configurations, making the transition smooth.
• Dynamic Workflows: This feature allows orchestration logic to be written in JavaScript and executed in an isolated sandbox. For complex, multi-step tasks, this provides deterministic and reliable execution, ensuring that workflows run exactly as intended, reducing the chances of AI "hallucinations" in its operational steps. This is a significant advantage for mission-critical freelance projects.

Pricing – What It Costs to Have a Smart AI Partner

MiMo Code itself is open-source and released under an MIT license, which is fantastic for developers who want to inspect, modify, or extend its capabilities.

However, running an AI coding agent requires an underlying Large Language Model (LLM). MiMo Code offers flexibility here:

1. MiMo Auto (Limited Free Access): Out of the box, MiMo Code connects to "MiMo Auto," which provides limited-time free access to Xiaomi's MiMo V2.5 multimodal model. This model boasts a one-million-token context window. This is an excellent way to try out the agent without any immediate cost.
2. Xiaomi MiMo Platform Token Plans: For sustained and heavier usage, especially with Xiaomi's own powerful models, you can subscribe to Token Plans. These plans cover models like MiMo-V2.5 and MiMo-V2.5-Pro, which have competitive per-token pricing.
   • MiMo-V2.5 costs $0.40 per million input tokens and $2.00 per million output tokens.
   • MiMo-V2.5-Pro costs $1.00 per million input tokens and $3.00 per million output tokens (up to 256K context, doubling beyond). Cache hits can significantly reduce these costs.

   Xiaomi offers various monthly and annual "Token Plans" that provide a fixed credit limit for using their models. These plans are structured into tiers:

   Plan Tier	Monthly Price (USD)	Monthly Fixed Credit Limit	Annual Price (USD)	Annual Fixed Credit Limit	Applicable Scenarios
   Lite	$6	4.1 Billion Credits	$63.36	49.2 Billion Credits	Suitable for first-time users (approx. 200 medium-to-complex tasks with MiMo-V2.5).
   Standard	$16	11 Billion Credits	$168.96	132 Billion Credits	For work enthusiasts who often use AI (approx. 1,600 medium-to-complex tasks with MiMo-V2.5).
   Pro	$50	38 Billion Credits	$528.00	456 Billion Credits	Suitable for developers and small teams.
   Max	$100	82 Billion Credits	$1056.00	984 Billion Credits	For enterprise-level development and heavy users (approx. 12,800 medium-to-complex tasks with MiMo-V2.5).

   Note that TTS (Text-to-Speech) models are free for a limited time and don't consume credits, while ASR (Automatic Speech Recognition) models consume credits based on audio duration.

3. Third-Party LLMs: You can also connect MiMo Code to any OpenAI-compatible API or other supported providers like DeepSeek, Kimi, and GLM, using their respective token plans or API keys. This gives you complete control over your model costs.

What Makes It Unique Compared to Similar Tools?

In a crowded field of AI coding agents, MiMo Code stands out primarily due to its:

• Explicit Long-Term Memory Architecture: While many agents struggle with context, MiMo Code’s layered memory system (Project, Session, Scratch, Task Progress) and the dedicated checkpoint subagent are specifically designed to manage unbounded context for long-horizon tasks. This isn't just about a larger context window; it's about intelligent, persistent knowledge management.
• Self-Evolution Capabilities (Dream & Distill): The ability for the agent to automatically review past sessions, compress knowledge, and distill repeated workflows into reusable skills is a significant differentiator. It means MiMo Code truly learns and improves over time, becoming more tailored to your development style and project needs, rather than remaining a static tool.
• Dynamic Workflows with Most agents rely on natural language for orchestration, which can lead to ambiguity and errors. MiMo Code's approach of casting orchestration logic as executable JavaScript in a sandbox offers a more deterministic and reliable way to manage complex, parallel tasks. This enhances its reliability for critical development flows.
• Open-Source Nature with Powerful Bundled Model: Being open-source under an MIT license is a huge plus for transparency and community contributions. The inclusion of limited-time free access to Xiaomi's powerful MiMo V2.5 model (with a 1M token context window) right out of the box makes it incredibly accessible and performant from day one.
• Performance on Long-Horizon Tasks: Xiaomi's internal benchmarks suggest MiMo Code, especially with MiMo-V2.5-Pro, outperforms competitors like Claude Code on tasks requiring 200+ execution steps, with a win rate above 65% in human evaluations. This directly supports its claim of excelling at complex, multi-day development efforts.

Who Should Try This?

MiMo Code is a fantastic fit for:

• Freelance Developers and Consultants: If you work on complex, long-running projects for clients where maintaining context and consistency is key, MiMo Code's memory system will be a lifesaver.
• Full-Stack Engineers: For those managing both front-end and back-end logic, the agent's ability to understand a large codebase and manage intricate changes across different files and frameworks is a huge advantage.
• AI Researchers and Open-Source Contributors: Given its open-source nature and advanced agentic capabilities, it's an excellent platform for experimenting with AI agents and contributing to their evolution.
• Teams Tackling Legacy Systems: When dealing with large, unfamiliar codebases, MiMo Code's ability to accumulate project knowledge and maintain it persistently can significantly reduce the learning curve and improve development velocity.
• Anyone Frustrated by AI Agent "Amnesia": If you've tried other coding agents but found them lacking in memory or consistency over extended sessions, MiMo Code is specifically designed to address those pain points.

Who Should Skip This?

While powerful, MiMo Code might not be for everyone:

• Beginner Coders: If you're just starting out, a terminal-native AI agent might add an unnecessary layer of complexity. Simpler, GUI-based AI assistants or interactive learning platforms (like the other "Mimo" app) would likely be a better starting point.
• Developers Who Prefer GUIs: MiMo Code is terminal-native. If you prefer graphical interfaces for your coding tasks, the command-line interaction might feel restrictive or less intuitive.
• Users Needing Minimal AI Assistance: For very simple, one-off coding tasks or quick syntax lookups, a full-fledged AI agent with long-term memory might be overkill. A basic AI chatbot or code completion tool would suffice.
• Those on Strict Budgets with No Free Tier Alternatives: While MiMo Code is open-source and offers limited free access to MiMo V2.5, sustained heavy usage with the MiMo models or other premium LLMs will incur costs. If your budget is extremely tight and you can't leverage the free tier or cheaper third-party models effectively, it might be a consideration.

Final Verdict

MiMo Code represents a significant leap forward in AI coding agents. Its explicit long-term memory architecture is not just a buzzword; it’s a foundational design choice that genuinely solves the pervasive problem of context loss in complex, multi-step development tasks. As a freelancer, the idea of an AI partner that truly understands my project over time, learns from our interactions, and can execute intricate workflows autonomously is incredibly appealing.

The open-source nature, coupled with flexible model integration and impressive performance benchmarks on long-horizon tasks, makes it a compelling tool. While its terminal-native interface might not appeal to everyone, for developers already comfortable in that environment, it offers a seamless and powerful experience.

For its innovative approach to memory, self-evolution, and robust performance on challenging tasks, I'd give MiMo Code a solid 9/10. It's not just an assistant; it's shaping up to be a genuine AI coding partner.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between MiMo Code and the Mimo learning app?

MiMo Code, developed by Xiaomi MiMo, is an open-source, terminal-native AI coding agent designed to assist developers with complex coding tasks by providing explicit long-term memory and intelligent workflow management. The "Mimo" learning app (without "Code") is a separate platform focused on teaching coding languages like Python, JavaScript, and HTML through interactive lessons.

Is MiMo Code free to use?

MiMo Code itself is open-source under an MIT license, meaning its core software is free to use, modify, and distribute. It also includes limited-time free access to Xiaomi's MiMo V2.5 model via "MiMo Auto." However, for sustained or heavier usage with Xiaomi's MiMo models, you'll need to subscribe to one of their "Token Plans," which incur costs based on credit consumption. You can also connect it to other third-party LLM providers, which will have their own pricing structures.

What kind of projects is MiMo Code best suited for?

MiMo Code excels at long-horizon, multi-step coding tasks where maintaining context and project understanding across multiple sessions is crucial. This includes large software development projects, refactoring complex codebases, implementing new features that require extensive changes, and any scenario where an AI agent typically suffers from "forgetting" past interactions.

Can MiMo Code work with my preferred LLM?

Yes, MiMo Code is designed to be model-agnostic. While it comes with integrated access to Xiaomi's MiMo V2.5 model, it also supports connecting to various other mainstream LLM providers, including Anthropic, OpenAI, DeepSeek, Kimi, GLM, and any OpenAI-compatible API. This flexibility allows developers to choose the model that best fits their needs, performance requirements, or budget.