# Kiro — Spec-Driven Agentic IDE for Production Software

> An AI-powered IDE that uses structured specifications to guide code generation, turning requirements into working implementations through a plan-first workflow.

## Install

Save as a script file and run:

# Kiro — Spec-Driven Agentic IDE for Production Software

## Quick Use
```bash
# Download from the official site or GitHub releases
# Available for macOS, Windows, and Linux

# Launch and open your project directory
kiro /path/to/your/project

# Create a spec file (.kiro/specs/feature.md) to guide AI development
# Kiro generates a plan, then implements step by step
```

## Introduction
Kiro is an agentic IDE designed to bridge the gap between rapid AI prototyping and production-grade software development. Instead of ad-hoc prompting, Kiro uses structured specification files to define requirements, design decisions, and implementation tasks, then executes them systematically through AI agents.

## What Kiro Does
- Generates implementation plans from natural language specifications written in Markdown
- Executes multi-step coding tasks autonomously while following the specification
- Creates and manages structured spec files that serve as living documentation
- Provides a VS Code-compatible editor interface with integrated AI agent capabilities
- Supports hooks and automation rules that trigger AI actions on file changes

## Architecture Overview
Kiro is built on a VS Code-compatible editor shell with an integrated AI agent runtime. The spec-driven workflow operates in three phases: requirements gathering (turning a feature description into a structured spec), design (generating technical design documents and task breakdowns), and implementation (executing each task with the AI agent while validating against the spec). Hooks allow event-driven automation, such as running tests after each implementation step.

## Self-Hosting & Configuration
- Download pre-built binaries for macOS, Windows, or Linux from the official releases
- Project configuration lives in the .kiro directory within each project
- Spec files are Markdown documents with a defined structure for requirements and tasks
- Hooks are configured via .kiro/hooks/ to define automated triggers and actions
- Compatible with existing VS Code extensions and keybindings

## Key Features
- Spec-driven development: structured requirements guide the AI rather than free-form prompts
- Multi-step task execution with automatic verification against the specification
- Event-driven hooks for automating repetitive tasks (linting, testing, documentation)
- Built on a VS Code-compatible base, supporting existing extensions and workflows
- Steering files that teach the AI project-specific patterns and constraints

## Comparison with Similar Tools
- **Cursor** — AI code editor with inline chat and tab completion; Kiro adds the spec-driven planning layer
- **Windsurf** — AI IDE with Cascade flow-based interactions; Kiro emphasizes structured specifications over free-form chat
- **Claude Code** — CLI-based AI coding agent; Kiro provides a graphical IDE with spec management
- **GitHub Copilot** — inline code suggestions; Kiro handles multi-file, multi-step implementations
- **Cline/Roo Code** — VS Code extensions for agentic coding; Kiro integrates the agent into the IDE itself

## FAQ
**Q: Do I need to write specs for every change?**
A: No. Kiro supports both spec-driven workflows for larger features and direct AI chat for quick edits, similar to other AI editors.

**Q: Is Kiro free to use?**
A: Kiro offers a free tier. Check the official site for current pricing and usage limits.

**Q: Can I use my existing VS Code extensions?**
A: Yes. Kiro is built on a VS Code-compatible foundation and supports most VS Code extensions.

**Q: What languages does Kiro support?**
A: Kiro works with any programming language. The AI agent handles code generation across languages, and the editor inherits VS Code's language support ecosystem.

## Sources
- https://github.com/kirodotdev/Kiro
- https://kiro.dev/

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Source: https://tokrepo.com/en/workflows/asset-d94d37c3
Author: Script Depot