What is Kiro?
Kiro is an agentic IDE from AWS. Its core difference from classic AI coding assistants is spec-driven development: instead of generating code directly, Kiro first turns a natural-language prompt into structured specs. These include requirements with user stories, a design document with data-flow diagrams, and a list of discrete tasks. Only afterwards do the agents produce code, tests, and documentation.
This approach addresses a common problem in AI-assisted development: generated code often drifts from the actual intent because requirements stay unclear. Kiro makes intent explicit and traceable before implementation. Kiro is available as an IDE, CLI, and web version, is built on Amazon Bedrock, and supports sign-in via Google, GitHub, AWS Builder ID, or AWS IAM Identity Center.
Core Features
- Specs: Kiro plans features through structured specifications covering requirements, design, and tasks before code is written.
- Agent Hooks: Event-triggered automations run recurring tasks, such as updating tests or documentation.
- Agentic Chat: Features can be built and iteratively refined in natural-language conversation with the agent.
- Steering and MCP Servers: Steering files define project conventions and rules the agent must follow; MCP servers connect Kiro to external tools and data sources.
Typical Use Cases
Structured feature development: For larger features, Kiro first produces traceable specs. Requirements, design, and tasks can be reviewed and approved before code is generated. This reduces rework and creates a shared basis within the team.
Automation in the development workflow: Agent Hooks respond to events in the project and run defined actions automatically, for example updating tests or maintaining documentation after code changes.
Integration with existing systems: Through MCP servers, Kiro accesses external tools and data sources. Steering files ensure that generated code follows project conventions and guidelines.
Benefits
- Spec-driven development makes requirements explicit and traceable before implementation
- Free entry via the Free tier with 50 credits per month
- Available as an IDE, CLI, and web version with a consistent workflow
- Built on Amazon Bedrock with support for multiple models including an Auto router
Integration with innFactory
As an AWS Reseller, innFactory supports you with the adoption and operation of this service.
Typical Use Cases
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kiro?
Kiro is an agentic IDE from AWS built around spec-driven development. From a natural-language prompt, Kiro first creates structured specs (requirements, design, tasks) and then generates code, tests, and documentation. Kiro is available as an IDE, CLI, and web version and is built on Amazon Bedrock.
When should I use Kiro?
Kiro fits when requirements should be structured cleanly before implementation: for larger features, in teams with review requirements, or when project conventions must be enforced through steering files. Agent Hooks additionally automate recurring tasks such as updating tests or documentation.
How much does Kiro cost?
Kiro uses a subscription plus credit model. The Free tier (0 USD) includes 50 credits per month plus access to open-weight models and Claude Sonnet 4.5. Paid tiers: Pro (20 USD, 1,000 credits), Pro+ (40 USD, 2,000), Pro Max (100 USD, 5,000), and Power (200 USD, 10,000). Overage credits cost 0.04 USD each. Team tiers mirror these plans with centralized management.
Which AI models does Kiro use, and are there team features?
Kiro is built on Amazon Bedrock. The Free tier uses open-weight models and Claude Sonnet 4.5, while paid tiers add premium models including an Auto router. Team tiers provide centralized billing, usage analytics, organization-wide management, and SAML/SCIM SSO via AWS IAM Identity Center.