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Amidst the big news that Windsurf is being acquired by cognition (after this) Founder went to google), Developers interested in AI-operated coding can be on hunting for new options.
In a short time, even today Amazon’s Kiro releaseA new agent integrated development environment (IDE) was created to help the developers transfer from the prototype to transfer from prototypes using grounded AI workflows in structure, planning and engineering hardness.
Kiro default model uses cloud sonnet 3.7 and 4.0 as backnd. Users can switch between them, and future support to other models can be added.
Now in public preview, Kiro Macos (Intel and Apple Silicon), Windows and Linux run on free to start (limited to 50 interactions per month per month), starts at $ 19 for more features with additional pricing levels.
Why should developers investigate Kiro?
The purpose of Kiro is to bridge the gap between “vibe coding”. AI allows AI to generate full blocks of code or complete software procedures and applications from plain text instructions, usually for rapid prototypes and recurrences-and more demanding procedure to distribute secure, maintainable and scalable applications in real-watered environments.
The equipment combines AI agents with project specifications, technical architecture and automatic work management to support a complete software development life cycle inside the single interface.
Kiro vs Q developer?
But Amazon did not already have its AI-code tool, Q developerYes, and it is still available.
So why launch a new product and brand name that provides some similar functionality? Amazon sources told Venturebeat that “Kiro is a common-purpose agent IDE for developers to work with any platform of their choice,” unlike Q Developer, which is more limited to its support III IDVscode, jetbrains, eclipse and limited to visual studio.
In addition, sources reported that KIRO’s agent was fundamentally different from the code tips on the Space-Pailed Development Q Developer on the discontent snipet. He said that some developers may prefer to use both in the lead, which is supported through Q Developer Pro Subscription Which starts at $ 19 per user per month.
Quick production with special development
The major discrimination of KIRO is its imagination-operated development model, which directs the process to the implementation of the process. A simple signal like “Add a review system” triggers a series of AI-caseized output which includes:
- User stories with acceptance criteria In the ear (easy approach syntax) format in the ear;
- Design document With data flow diagrams, typescript interfaces and API skimics;
- Work list and sub-operations Automatically indexed by dependence, with testing, loading states and accessibility built-in.
Developers can perform these functions through the underlying agent interface of Kiro at one time, different, progress tracking and historic agent access to the execution log. As the development progresses, the sinks with the Kiro Codebase have glasses in the sink, helping the teams to avoid specific flow between documentation and implementation.
Agent hooks automate regular quality tasks
Kiro Agent hook Allow the developers to configure the automation trigger for everyday tasks such as reproducing tests, updating documentation or running a safety scan.
Hooks may be associated with tasks like saving files, editing or pushing components. After setting once and checking in repo, they provide team-wide stability in code quality and standards enforcement.
For example, developers can define a hook so that new react components can follow the ‘single response theory’ or trigger a secret scan before the committe. This approach adds automatic quality control without slowing down individual developers.
The open-source foundation code of the visual studio code created by Kiro Microsoft is built on OSS. It provides the chief editor’s experience without proprietary services, allowing third party such as Kiro to create its own IDE with complete compatibility with VS code extensions and settings.
For example, Kiro is compatible with VS code extensions, settings and UI conferences. It also supports:
- Model Reference Protocol (MCP) To connect external devices;
- Agent multi-model chatUsing files, URLs or documents as references;
- Operational rules To adapt and force agent behavior in a codebase;
- Social login through Github Or GoogleNo AWS account is required.
Pricing and availability
Kiro is currently free to all users during its preview period, including Amazon Q Developer and Q Developer Pro Subscriber.
Preview access includes “generous” use limits, which aims to detect kiro without constant disruptions to developers.
After the preview period ends, users will have an option Three membership tier,
| Plan | Monthly Price | Agentic interactions include | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kiro free | $ 0 | 50 per month | Glasses, hooks, steering and MCP support are included |
| Kiro Pro | $ 19 | 1,000 per month | Free, plus higher use quota all features |
| Kiro Pro+ | $ 39 | 3,000 per month | Designed for heavy users or teams |
Agentic interactions include a direct call of KIRO agents – such as starting an imagination, triggering hooks or sending a chat prompt. Later processing work (eg multi-step task execution) does not count towards quota.
Users on a paid plan will also be able to buy additional interactions at $ 0.04 each, but overseas billing should be clearly enabled.
The AI-Assisted Development Ecosystem is rapidly crowded, with many major IDEs and agents developer competing for attention. Here’s how Kiro gets piled:
| tool | Summary | Price determination |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Q Developer | Multi-environment integrated into AI Assistant AWS, Ides, CLI and chat. Agent workflows through terminal or IDE. Great for cloud opes, migration and automation. Free and supporter levels are available. | Free; $ 19/User/Mon on Pro |
| Cloud code | With CLI-FIRST coding auxiliary chat-based repetition, Plan/Edit Mode and Def View. Strong for interactive code development, less structured than Kiro. | Free; Pro $ 17/month or $ 20 bill monthly |
| Github Copilot (Microsoft) | Inline code perfection equipment in VS Code, Github. Best for quick assistance. Lack structured plan or workflow support. | free Trial; Pro $ 10/month or $ 100/year; Pro+ $ 39/month |
| Cursor | VS code for condensed editing and navigation -AI Editor. Customized for single coding, minimum plan support. | Free; Pro $ 20/month ($ 16/month annual) |
| Windsurf (Openai, acquired) | The AI IDE focused on rapid code editing was discontinued. The minimum plan offered. In July 2025 major employees/IP acquired by Google and Anubhuti. | Free; Pro $ 15/month; Teams $ 30/user/month |
| Commentary / Dewin | Multi-agent systems from plan to be able to be able to be able to autonomous software engineering. Developer-in. Loop model. | Start at $ 20/month; Old level at $ 500/month |
| Kiro | Plan with structured artifacts such as specs, design doors and task trees-first AI ideas; The feature supports planning, implementation and QA automation. Developer in the loop. | Free (50 Interaction/Mo); Pro: $ 19/user/MO (1,000 interactions); Pro+: $ 39/User/MO (3,000 Internationals) |
Show Kiro in action: ‘Kiro’s soul’
To showcase the abilities of Kiro in the context of the real world, Amazon released a full demo project, named “”Kero’s spirit“, An open-source crafting game. Project serves as an example as an example of how Kiro can be used in the entire development life cycle.
More than 95% of the game’s codebase was generated by indicating KIRO. The game contains unique, procedurally produced items, such as adaptable properties such as damage, quirks and encounters. Players can combine items, break and sell items – providing a complex system that highlights the strength of Kiro in managing interconnected components and developed feature sets.
Repo includes:
- Architectural documentation;
- App Security Sitex;
- A deliberately incomplete sample branch with bugs (for testing of speck workflow);
- A roadmap with feature ideas for future contribution.
The project is also in the form of a learning resource. Challenge.md, architecture. Files like MD and Guiding-Principals.
Developers can clone, run or deploy the project locally or on AWS Infrastructure, and welcome through open-source contribution Github,
Developer reaction and initial impression
Kiro’s launch created active discussion on the popular developer forum of the Startup Accelerator Y Combinator Hacker newsWhere Nathan Peck, Senior Developer Advocate for Generative AI offered AWS (user name Nathanakpi) and answered questions and answers questions.
He emphasized that Kiro reflects Amazon’s internal engineering practices and is designed to help developers in the scale from small ideas to strong, production-tailed systems.
Early community reactions were mixed, but the developers were contradictory, praising hooks and composition.
Some compared it to equipment such as cloud code and cursor, which cited better rigor in buildings and documents. Others expressed concern over the tool churning and switching costs, while some preferred command line interfaces (CLI)-in-law or simple interfaces.
Feedback also came around the desire of certification bugs, platform compatibility and Dev container support. These initial reactions reflect both curiosity and developers of high expectations now have for the AI coding tool.
Kiro enters a crowded area, but takes out a place with its structured, fantasy philosophy and support for developer-in-loop workflow.
It is not trying to change the developers or automate the entire codebase by blindly. Instead, it is providing a more disciplined method to cooperate from working with AI to delivery.
With its previews now open and pricing models can be mentioned the most to the Kiro teams and individuals, which are not only looking to construct rapidly, but also more thoughtfully with the quality manufactured in stability, clarity and quality.
