MoS2 is a promising anode with high theoretical capacity in lithium-/sodium-ion batteries. Nevertheless, the unstable structure and poor conductivity of MoS2 limit its practical applications. Herein, a carbon layer-coated MoS2 composite (MoS2/C) is synthesized by a pyrolysis strategy, in which ionic liquid-derived carbon improves the conductivity and structural stability of composites by wrapping MoS2. When MoS2/C composite is used as anode in lithium-/sodium-ion batteries, it exhibits excellent stability, high capacity and long cycle life. After 50 cycles at 100 mA g−1, the lithium storage capacity of the MoS2/C composite is more than 760 mAh g−1, and the sodium storage capacity reaches 480 mAh g−1. When the current density is 2 A g−1, the sodium storage capacity maintains at 355 mAh g−1 after 500 cycles. Even after 1000 cycles, it still exhibits a stable lithium storage capacity of 350 mAh g−1 at the current density of 4 A g−1. The improved performance of MoS2/C composite can be explained by its stable structure and high charge mobility. © 2020, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.