Kiro is going to kill Cursor and Windsurf ? Lets check it out

Introduction to Kiro

Kiro is an innovative AI. An Integrated Development Environment (IDE) is made to help developers create computer programs from the beginning to the end. Kiro is developed by Amazon Web Services (AWS), acts like a collaborative partner that can make your software development process simple by structured planning, code generation, and automated task management. It is particularly useful for both beginners and experienced developers and offers a streamlined approach to building software. Kiro is currently in its review phase and is free to use, making it accessible to a wide audience.

What Can Kiro Do?

Kiro offers many features that make software development easier and more efficient:

• Idea to Plan Conversion: You give your plan to Kiro like “I want a website with a Google sign-in feature,” and then it creates a detailed plan. This plan includes user stories, acceptance criteria, and technical details like data flow diagrams and database schemas.
• Code Generation: Based on the plan, Kiro can write parts of the code for you, such as setting up a sign-in button or configuring a backend service.
• Automated Testing: Kiro generates tests to ensure your program works correctly, which covers many aspects like functionality, mobile responsiveness, and accessibility.
• Task Automation with Hooks: There is a feature called “agent hooks” that automates repetitive tasks. For example, when you save a file, Kiro can automatically create or update test files, optimize code, or update documentation.
• Support for Multiple Platforms: Kiro works on Mac, Windows, and Linux and supports most popular programming languages, making it versatile for different projects.
• Integration with Existing Tools: Kiro is built on Code OSS, compatible with Visual Studio Code settings and Open VSX plugins, which allows developers to use familiar tools.

These capabilities make Kiro a powerful tool for turning ideas into production-ready software while maintaining control over the development process.

How Does Kiro Work?

Kiro can be operated by a structured, spec-driven development process that helps users from simple prompts to a completed project program. Let’s see how it works.

1. Prompt Input: You can start just by telling Kiro what you want to build. For example, you might say, “Add a Google sign-in feature to my website.” Kiro uses this prompt to understand your goal.
2. Plan Creation: Kiro generates a requirements document with user stories and acceptance criteria. For the Google sign-in example, it might create tasks like “create a sign-in button” or “connect to Google’s authentication service.” You can review and edit this plan to check if it meets your needs.
3. Design and Task Breakdown: Then Kiro creates a detailed design document that includes diagrams and configurations and breaks the project into smaller tasks. For instance, it might list tasks like updating the database or modifying the user interface.
4. Task Execution: Kiro works on each task one by one, it will show you the code it writes. You can check each step, make changes if needed, and approve it before moving to the next task. This keeps you in control while using Kiro’s automation.
5. Agent Hooks: Kiro’s hooks are automated workflows that trigger when an event like saving a file happens. For example, if you save a component, Kiro can automatically generate tests to ensure it works correctly. This feature acts like an experienced developer catching small mistakes or handling repetitive tasks.
6. Context Management: Kiro uses steering files and Model Context Protocol (MCP) to manage project context. Taking care of AI understands your codebase and follows your coding standards.

This process is called “spec-driven development,” which ensures that your project is well-planned and maintainable, reducing errors and improving efficiency.

Example Workflow: Adding a Google Sign-In Feature

Adding a Google sign-in feature to your program is simple and clear. First, you tell Kiro you want a Google Sign-In feature, then it creates a requirements document with user stories and criteria to outline the plan. Next, you review a design document that Kiro generates, which includes diagrams, infrastructure changes, and configurations to show how the feature will work. Then, Kiro breaks the feature into smaller tasks, like updating the database or adding a sign-in button, and you can approve or edit this task list. After that, Kiro writes the code for each task, lets you check the code, and approves the changes to check if they are correct. When you save a component, Kiro’s hooks automatically generate tests or update documentation to keep things organized. Finally, you test the new feature, and Kiro ensures the sign-in button and backend work properly. This step-by-step process keeps you in control while Kiro handles the heavy work.

How to Start Using Kiro?

Getting started with Kiro is simple:

1. Download Kiro: Visit the Kiro website and download the IDE. It’s compatible with Mac, Windows, and Linux.
2. Sign In: Use Google, GitHub, or other supported methods to sign in.
3. Follow the Tutorial: Start with Kiro’s hands-on tutorial to learn by building a simple project.
4. Explore Features: Use Kiro’s multimodal chat, spec-driven development, and agent hooks to work on your project.
5. Join the Community: Connect with other users on Discord for support and feedback.

Kiro is free during its preview phase, though it may have some usage limits. It’s designed to be user-friendly, even for those new to programming or English.

Why Should You Use Kiro?

Kiro is a valuable tool for several reasons:

• Time-Saving: by using Kiro’s tools like spec, hooks, and many more, they automate planning, coding, and testing. Kiro reduces the time needed to build software. For example, users have reported building a secure file-sharing app in two days or a game in a single evening.
• Beginner-Friendly: Kiro is simple and easy to learn, and guides new users that making it easy for beginners to adapt Kiro easily.
• Maintainability: Kiro’s specs stay in sync with your code, ensuring documentation is always up-to-date, which is important for long-term project maintenance.
• Team Collaboration: hooks improve coding standards across teams, it takes care that developments stay consistent and reducing errors.
• Competitive Edge: Kiro competes with tools like GitHub Copilot and Google’s Gemini Code Assist by offering a structured approach to AI coding, making it ideal for production-ready projects.

Additional Insights

Kiro is built on Code OSS, the open-source foundation of Visual Studio Code. which means it supports familiar settings and plugins, making it easy to transition from other IDEs. It also integrates with AWS services like CodeWhisperer and Bedrock, though it currently doesn’t support custom models like OpenAI. User reviews highlight Kiro’s ability to formalize “vibe coding” (unstructured AI coding) into a professional process, though some note that it may not fully replace human developers due to the need for oversight.

 Also, check out our latest post on Agentic AI vs. Generative AI

Conclusion

Kiro is a powerful and user-friendly tool that simplifies software development by combining AI automation with structured planning. It helps developers of all skill levels turn ideas into production-ready programs efficiently. By offering features like spec-driven development, agent hooks, and compatibility with existing tools, Kiro bridges the gap between rapid prototyping and maintainable code. Whether you’re a beginner learning to code or a professional building complex applications, Kiro can save time and improve your workflow. Download it today and explore its capabilities through the tutorial to see how it can transform your development process.