Amazon has launched Kiro, an AI-powered integrated development environment designed to transform how developers approach software creation. The tool introduces a ‘spec mode’ that shifts from the chaotic ‘vibe coding’ style by breaking down requests into formal specifications, design documents, and task lists. This structured approach is intended to address the maintainability issues common with AI-generated code.
Kiro, which was initially in preview in July, now moves to general availability with new features and broader access. Amazon reports over 250,000 developers have used the tool within the first three months post-launch. The software’s ability to handle over 300 million requests and process trillions of tokens during the preview period underscores its capacity and appeal. Early adopters, including Rackspace, SmugMug, and Flickr, highlight the efficiency gains from adopting Kiro’s spec-driven development approach.
Notable features of Kiro include property-based testing to ensure code compliance with specifications and a checkpointing system that allows developers to backtrack or retrace steps if an idea goes wrong. Amazon also mentions that the team used Kiro to build Kiro itself, enabling faster development cycles. The tool is now more accessible, with startups able to apply for up to 100 free Pro+ seats for a year’s worth of Kiro credits.