Kite

Kite was an innovative static analysis tool that integrated directly into code editors, aiming to provide real-time code completions for Python developers. Developed by Adam Smith and his team, Kite was first introduced around 2014 as a way to speed up the process of writing Python code. The platform leveraged machine learning algorithms to suggest context-aware code completions and provide documentation as users typed, effectively streamlining the coding experience and helping to minimize errors.

At its core, Kite was designed to help developers write code faster and more efficiently by predicting the next steps based on existing code patterns and popular libraries. It worked by analyzing code in real time, offering intelligent auto-completions, identifying potential bugs, and suggesting improvements. The tool could be installed as a plugin for a variety of popular text editors and Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) such as VS Code, Atom, Sublime Text, and PyCharm.

A key feature that distinguished Kite from other autocomplete tools was its reliance on cloud-based machine learning models, which could continuously improve through aggregated data from millions of lines of code. This allowed Kite to provide smarter, more relevant suggestions. Over time, it evolved to include even more sophisticated features like documentation lookups, code snippets, and multi-line completions, all of which aimed to enhance the productivity of developers.

For example, when writing Python, if a developer started typing import followed by a few characters, Kite would offer suggestions such as:

import os
import sys
import numpy as np

And not only would it complete library imports, but Kite could also predict variable names, functions, and more complex code structures based on the developer’s prior code and coding habits.

Though it was initially free, Kite later introduced a premium plan that included advanced features such as deeper analysis of more complex libraries like TensorFlow and NumPy, offering insights that went beyond standard auto-completion. However, in 2022, Kite ceased operations, largely due to the increasing complexity of maintaining the product. Its shutdown marked the end of a unique attempt to marry machine learning with real-time development tools in a way that was directly accessible to everyday programmers.

Despite its shutdown, Kite's legacy remains as an example of how machine learning can be applied to software development to reduce friction in the coding process. The tool also highlighted the growing need for intelligent development environments that help developers become more productive by eliminating repetitive coding tasks and reducing the cognitive load associated with managing large codebases.

Kite was especially useful in the Python community, where its context-aware completions significantly sped up the development process for both beginners and experienced programmers. Even though it no longer exists, Kite helped to popularize the idea of machine learning-driven coding assistance, paving the way for similar tools and integrated development features in modern IDEs and editors.