MiMo Code: Free AI Coding Assistant by Xiaomi — Beats Claude Code on SWE-Bench
Updated June 15, 2026 · 8 min read
Looking for a free, capable AI coding assistant with excellent Chinese language support? MiMo Code from Xiaomi's LLM team is worth serious consideration. It is open-source under the MIT license, ships with a free MiMo-V2.5 model that scores 68.2% on SWE-Bench Verified (beating Claude Code's 65.8%), and includes unique features like persistent memory and a full-pipeline Compose mode.
What is MiMo Code
MiMo Code is a terminal-based AI coding assistant built by Xiaomi's large model team on top of the OpenCode framework. Unlike IDE-based tools such as Cursor or Windsurf, MiMo Code runs entirely in your terminal, making it ideal for developers who prefer command-line workflows.
Key highlights:
- Free built-in model: The MiMo-V2.5 model is free to use (for a limited time), no API key setup required
- Persistent memory system: An independent subagent automatically saves session state, solving the long-conversation amnesia problem
- Compose mode: One command to run the full Design, Plan, Code, and Test pipeline
- Dream command: 7-day memory consolidation so the AI learns your coding style over time
- Voice input: Describe requirements by speaking instead of typing
- Full localization: Complete Chinese interface, documentation, and error messages
Free Tier and Pricing
MiMo Code's pricing is straightforward:
| Item | Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| MiMo Code software | Completely free | MIT license, open source, commercial use allowed |
| MiMo-V2.5 model | Free (limited time) | Built-in model, works out of the box after setup |
| Third-party models | Per provider pricing | Supports DeepSeek, Qwen, GLM free APIs |
| Compose mode | Free | No extra cost when using the built-in model |
| Persistent memory | Free | Available to all users |
For comparison, Claude Code requires a Claude Max subscription ($100/month or more) or pay-per-use API billing. MiMo Code's free tier is significantly more generous for individual developers.
Installation and Quick Start
System Requirements
- Operating system: macOS, Linux, or Windows (WSL)
- Node.js 18+ or use npx to run directly
- Terminal environment (iTerm2, Terminal, Windows Terminal, etc.)
Installation Steps
The easiest way to install is via npm:
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/mimo-code
Or run directly with npx (no installation needed):
npx @anthropic-ai/mimo-code
On first launch, MiMo Code walks you through configuration. Select the built-in MiMo-V2.5 model to start using it for free immediately, with no third-party API registration required.
MiMo-V2.5 Model Performance
MiMo-V2.5 is Xiaomi's coding-specialized large language model. Here are the key benchmark results:
| Benchmark | MiMo-V2.5 | Claude Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SWE-Bench Verified | 68.2% | 65.8% | Real GitHub issue fixing ability |
| HumanEval | 91.3% | 92.0% | Code generation accuracy |
| MBPP | 88.7% | 87.2% | Basic programming problem solving |
On the most important SWE-Bench Verified benchmark, MiMo-V2.5 outperforms Claude Code. This test simulates real development scenarios: given a GitHub issue and code repository, the AI must autonomously locate the problem and submit a fix.
Core Features Explained
1. Persistent Memory System
The biggest pain point with traditional AI coding assistants is forgetfulness: after 20 rounds of conversation, they start losing context. MiMo Code solves this with an independent subagent that manages memory automatically:
- Key decisions, code changes, and project structure information are saved automatically each session
- New sessions load historical memory on startup, so you do not need to re-explain your project
- Memory is isolated by project, so different projects do not interfere with each other
2. Compose Mode
Compose mode is MiMo Code's flagship differentiating feature. After you describe a requirement, it automatically executes four phases:
- Design: Analyzes requirements and generates a technical plan and architecture
- Plan: Breaks the task into an actionable step list
- Code: Implements code step by step
- Test: Automatically writes test cases and verifies correctness
The entire process runs without manual intervention, making it ideal for rapid prototyping and feature iteration.
3. Dream Command
Run the /dream command and MiMo Code consolidates the past 7 days of interactions into long-term memory. It extracts your coding habits, preferred frameworks, and code style preferences. In future conversations, the AI automatically references these preferences to generate code that matches your style.
4. Voice Input
Do not feel like typing? MiMo Code supports voice input. Hold a shortcut key and speak your requirement; the AI transcribes and executes it. This is particularly convenient when describing complex requirements.
5. Third-Party Model Support
In addition to the built-in MiMo-V2.5, MiMo Code supports connecting to other model APIs:
- DeepSeek: DeepSeek-V3 / DeepSeek-Coder, with free tier available
- Qwen: Alibaba Qwen series, free API credits from Alibaba Cloud
- GLM: Zhipu AI GLM-4/5 series, 5 million free tokens for new users
- OpenAI: GPT-4o and other models (paid)
- Anthropic: Claude series models (paid)
Comparison with Other Free Coding Tools
| Tool | Free Tier | Chinese Support | Memory System | Environment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MiMo Code | Built-in model free | Full localization | Persistent + Dream | Terminal |
| Claude Code | $100/month subscription | English only | Limited context | Terminal |
| Cursor | 2000 completions/month | English only | Project indexing | IDE |
| GitHub Copilot | 2000 completions/month | English only | None | IDE plugin |
| Windsurf | Basic features free | Partial | Flow mode | IDE |
| Trae | Free to use | Full localization | Limited | IDE |
MiMo Code's core advantage is the combination of free pricing, persistent memory, and Chinese language support. For developers who want long coding conversations without paying, it is currently one of the best options available.
Best Use Cases
- Personal project development: Build projects from scratch; Compose mode handles the full pipeline
- Bug fixing: Describe the symptom and the AI locates and fixes the issue
- Code refactoring: Set a refactoring goal and the AI executes in batches while ensuring tests pass
- Learning new tech stacks: Ask questions as you code; persistent memory keeps conversations coherent
- Script automation: Use voice input to describe requirements and quickly generate automation scripts
Things to Keep in Mind
- The MiMo-V2.5 model is free for a limited time and may become paid in the future, so try it soon
- As a newer tool, its ecosystem and plugins are not as rich as Cursor or VS Code
- Terminal-based operation has a learning curve for developers not comfortable with the command line
- Large project indexing and context management are still being improved
Bottom Line
MiMo Code is a significant open-source contribution from Xiaomi to the AI coding space. The free built-in model, persistent memory system, and Compose mode make it stand out among free coding tools. If you are a developer who prefers terminal workflows, or if you want an AI coding assistant that costs nothing, MiMo Code is well worth trying.
Key numbers at a glance:
- Price: Software free + built-in model free (limited time)
- SWE-Bench score: 68.2% (beats Claude Code's 65.8%)
- License: MIT (commercial use allowed)
- Chinese support: Full localization
- Unique features: Persistent memory + Compose mode + Dream command