feat(llm): better thinking mode control (#608)

Signed-off-by: Richard Chien <stdrc@outlook.com>

Author: stdrc

.kimi/prompts/gen-changelog.md

@@ -1 +1 @@
-根据当前分支相对于 main 分支的修改，在的 @CHANGELOG.md 文件中添加更新日志条目，遵循现有的格式和风格。
+根据当前分支相对于 main 分支的修改，在的根目录 CHANGELOG.md 或相应 package/sdk 等目录的 CHANGELOG.md 文件中添加更新日志条目，遵循现有的格式和风格。

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -11,6 +11,10 @@ Only write entries that are worth mentioning to users.
 
 ## Unreleased
 
+- Shell: Use `/model` to toggle thinking mode instead of Tab key
+- Config: Add `default_thinking` config option (auto-migrated from metadata)
+- LLM: Add `always_thinking` capability for models that always use thinking mode
+
 ## 0.76 (2026-01-12)
 
 - Tool: Make `ReadFile` tool description reflect model capabilities for image/video support

docs/en/configuration/config-files.md

@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ The configuration file contains the following top-level configuration items:
 | Item | Type | Description |
 | --- | --- | --- |
 | `default_model` | `string` | Default model name, must be a model defined in `models` |
+| `default_thinking` | `boolean` | Whether to enable thinking mode by default (defaults to `false`) |
 | `providers` | `table` | API provider configuration |
 | `models` | `table` | Model configuration |
 | `loop_control` | `table` | Agent loop control parameters |
@@ -35,6 +36,7 @@ The configuration file contains the following top-level configuration items:
 
 ```toml
 default_model = "kimi-for-coding"
+default_thinking = false
 
 [providers.kimi-for-coding]
 type = "kimi"

docs/en/configuration/env-vars.md

@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ export KIMI_MODEL_MAX_CONTEXT_SIZE="262144"
 
 ### `KIMI_MODEL_CAPABILITIES`
 
-Overrides the model's `capabilities` field in the configuration file. Multiple capabilities are comma-separated, supported values are `thinking`, `image_in`, and `video_in`.
+Overrides the model's `capabilities` field in the configuration file. Multiple capabilities are comma-separated, supported values are `thinking`, `always_thinking`, `image_in`, and `video_in`.
 
 ```sh
 export KIMI_MODEL_CAPABILITIES="thinking,image_in"

docs/en/configuration/providers.md

@@ -108,7 +108,8 @@ The `capabilities` field in model configuration declares the capabilities suppor
 
 | Capability | Description |
 | --- | --- |
-| `thinking` | Supports thinking mode (deep reasoning) |
+| `thinking` | Supports thinking mode (deep reasoning), can be toggled |
+| `always_thinking` | Always uses thinking mode (cannot be disabled) |
 | `image_in` | Supports image input |
 | `video_in` | Supports video input |
 
@@ -122,7 +123,11 @@ capabilities = ["thinking", "image_in"]
 
 ### `thinking`
 
-When thinking mode is enabled, the model performs deeper reasoning before answering, suitable for complex problems. In shell mode, you can toggle thinking mode with the `Tab` key, or control it at startup with `--thinking` / `--no-thinking` flags.
+Declares that the model supports thinking mode. When enabled, the model performs deeper reasoning before answering, suitable for complex problems. In shell mode, you can use the `/model` command to switch models and thinking mode, or control it at startup with `--thinking` / `--no-thinking` flags.
+
+### `always_thinking`
+
+Indicates the model always uses thinking mode and cannot be disabled. For example, models with "thinking" in their name like `kimi-k2-thinking-turbo` typically have this capability. When using such models, the `/model` command won't prompt for thinking mode toggle.
 
 ### `image_in`
 

docs/en/faq.md

@@ -33,15 +33,6 @@ If you need to change working directory:
 - **Use `--work-dir` flag**: Specify working directory at startup, like `kimi --work-dir /path/to/project`.
 - **Use absolute paths in commands**: Execute commands with absolute paths directly, like `ls /path/to/dir`.
 
-### Thinking mode unavailable
-
-When pressing `Tab` to toggle thinking mode, if you see "Thinking mode requires a model with thinking capability", it means the current model doesn't support thinking mode.
-
-Solutions:
-
-- **Switch to a supported model**: Use `/setup` to select a model that supports thinking (like `kimi-k2-thinking-turbo`).
-- **Check model capability configuration**: If you're sure the model supports thinking, you can force enable it with the environment variable `KIMI_MODEL_CAPABILITIES=thinking`.
-
 ### Image paste fails
 
 When using `Ctrl-V` to paste an image, if you see "Current model does not support image input", it means the current model doesn't support image input.

docs/en/guides/interaction.md

@@ -29,14 +29,14 @@ In shell mode, each command executes independently. Commands that change the env
 
 Thinking mode allows the AI to think more deeply before responding, suitable for handling complex problems.
 
-In agent mode, press `Tab` to toggle thinking mode on or off. The status bar at the bottom will show a notification after switching. You can also enable it at startup with the `--thinking` flag:
+You can use the `/model` command to switch models and thinking mode. After selecting a model, if the model supports thinking mode, the system will ask whether to enable it. You can also enable it at startup with the `--thinking` flag:
 
 ```sh
 kimi --thinking
 ```
 
 ::: tip
-Thinking mode requires support from the current model.
+Thinking mode requires support from the current model. Some models (like `kimi-k2-thinking-turbo`) always use thinking mode and cannot be disabled.
 :::
 
 ## Multi-line input

docs/en/reference/keyboard.md

@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@ Kimi CLI shell mode supports the following keyboard shortcuts.
 | Shortcut | Function |
 |----------|----------|
 | `Ctrl-X` | Toggle agent/shell mode |
-| `Tab` | Toggle thinking mode |
 | `Ctrl-/` | Show help |
 | `Ctrl-J` | Insert newline |
 | `Alt-Enter` | Insert newline (same as `Ctrl-J`) |
@@ -25,20 +24,9 @@ Press `Ctrl-X` in the input box to switch between two modes:
 - **Shell mode**: Input is executed as local shell command
 
 The prompt changes based on current mode:
-- Agent mode: `✨` or `💫` (thinking mode)
+- Agent mode: `✨` (normal) or `💫` (thinking mode)
 - Shell mode: `$`
 
-### `Tab`: Toggle thinking mode
-
-In agent mode, when the input box is empty or no completion menu is displayed, press `Tab` to toggle thinking mode.
-
-- When thinking mode is enabled, the prompt changes to `💫`
-- A notification is displayed when switching
-
-::: tip
-Thinking mode requires model support.
-:::
-
 ### `Ctrl-/`: Show help
 
 Press `Ctrl-/` in the input box to quickly display help information, equivalent to entering the `/help` command.

docs/en/reference/slash-commands.md

@@ -43,11 +43,11 @@ After configuration, settings are automatically saved to `~/.kimi/config.toml` a
 
 ### `/model`
 
-Switch the default model.
+Switch models and thinking mode.
 
-This command first refreshes the available models list from the API platform. When called without arguments, displays an interactive selection interface; you can also specify a model name directly, e.g., `/model kimi-k2`.
+This command first refreshes the available models list from the API platform. When called without arguments, displays an interactive selection interface where you first select a model, then choose whether to enable thinking mode (if the model supports it).
 
-After selecting a new model, Kimi CLI will automatically update the configuration file and reload.
+After selection, Kimi CLI will automatically update the configuration file and reload.
 
 ::: tip
 This command is only available when using the default configuration file. If a configuration was specified via `--config` or `--config-file`, this command cannot be used.

docs/en/release-notes/changelog.md

@@ -4,6 +4,10 @@ This page documents the changes in each Kimi CLI release.
 
 ## Unreleased
 
+- Shell: Use `/model` to toggle thinking mode instead of Tab key
+- Config: Add `default_thinking` config option (auto-migrated from metadata)
+- LLM: Add `always_thinking` capability for models that always use thinking mode
+
 ## 0.76 (2026-01-12)
 
 - Tool: Make `ReadFile` tool description reflect model capabilities for image/video support