DEV Community

John Ajera
John Ajera

Posted on

What Is Kiro AWS?

#aws #kiro #ide #developer

What Is Kiro AWS?

Kiro AWS is a next-generation IDE designed specifically for cloud developers building on AWS. It combines the power of AI with a chat-driven workflow to help you create, manage, and iterate on AWS infrastructure and applications faster than ever.

A Developer IDE, Reimagined

Kiro isn't just a code editor — it’s an agentic IDE that works with you to plan, scaffold, and manage real AWS projects.

You can:

  • Chat with Kiro to generate infrastructure and application code
  • Automatically scaffold AWS resources using natural language
  • Preview and modify generated code in real time
  • Execute and manage deployments directly within the IDE

The Two Modes: Vibe vs. Spec

Kiro’s approach is centered around how you prefer to work:

Vibe Mode (Chat First)

  • Great for exploration and discovery
  • Perfect when requirements are unclear
  • Type in a goal (e.g., "Set up a Lambda with API Gateway") and let Kiro walk you through it interactively

Spec Mode (Plan First)

  • Great for larger or production projects
  • Start with requirements, constraints, and architecture
  • Kiro then generates code and infra based on those specs

Showcase: Creating a Static Website with S3 in Vibe

Let’s say you want to create and deploy a static website using S3. In Vibe mode, just type:

I want to create a static website on AWS using S3, and make it public. The content of the site should showcase what AWS Kiro IDE is, how it works, and its unique features.
Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode

It took a few prompts and a small tweak to deploy-to-s3.md before the site uploaded properly.

Kiro generated everything — no coding needed. The result was a basic, non-functional site, but it worked. You keep refining until it does what you need.

All from within the IDE — no console hopping or switching tools.

👉 Demo Repository: https://jdevto.github.io/kiro-demo/

👉 Live Site: https://jdevto.github.io/kiro-demo/

AWS Native Integration

Kiro supports seamless AWS integration:

  • Authenticate using Builder ID, IAM Role, or credentials
  • Browse and manage your AWS resources visually
  • Deploy infrastructure using CDK, SAM, or Terraform
  • Use built-in templates or let Kiro build from scratch

Try It Yourself

Whether you’re new to AWS or building production-grade systems, Kiro helps you:

  • Move faster from idea to execution
  • Reduce boilerplate and copy-paste fatigue
  • Learn AWS concepts naturally as you go

Kiro isn’t just an IDE. It’s your AWS development co-pilot.

*Get started now by downloading it from kiro.dev/downloads.

Final Thoughts

Kiro is still in preview, and while it shows huge potential, it currently lacks some features found in more mature IDEs. That said, its agentic, chat-first experience is unique — and it’s clear the platform is evolving fast.

If you're curious about where cloud IDEs are headed, it's worth keeping an eye on this one.*

Top comments (0)