The　krill　herd　(KH)　algorithm　is　widely　used　for　optimizing　truss　structures　as　no　gradient　information　is　necessary,　and　only　a　few　parameters　require　adjustment.　However,　when　the　truss　structure　becomes　discrete　and　complex,　KH　tends　to　fall　into　a　local　optimum.　Therefore,　a　novel　target-oriented　KH　(TOKH)　algorithm　is　proposed　in　this　study　to　optimize　the　design　of　discrete　truss　structures.　Initially,　a　crossover　operator　is　established　between　the　“best　krill”　and　“suboptimal　krill”　to　generate　a　robust　“cross　krill”　for　global　exploration.　Additionally,　an　improved　local　mutation　and　crossover　(ILMC)　operator　is　introduced　to　fine-tune　the　“center　of　food”　and　candidate　solutions　for　local　exploitation.　The　proposed　method　and　other　optimization　approaches　are　experimentally　compared　considering　15　benchmark　functions.　Then,　the　performance　of　the　TOKH　algorithm　is　evaluated　based　on　four　discrete　truss　structure　optimization　problems　under　multiple　loading　conditions.　The　obtained　optimization　results　indicate　that　the　proposed　method　presents　competitive　solutions　in　terms　of　accuracy,　unlike　other　algorithms　in　the　literature,　and　avoids　falling　into　a　local　minimum.　Copyright　©2024　by　ASME.