Amazon Web Services has released a preview of Kiro, an AI tool for software developers.
What is Kiro?
The tool helps users write code with less effort.
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy posted on X that Kiro could change how developers build software.
The launch comes shortly after Google announced it is hiring workers from AI coding startup Windsurf. This hiring is part of a $2.4 billion licensing deal.
Google also said it will improve its Gemini AI models to support developers.
Amazon and Google are now focusing on “vibe coding.” This is a method where computers write software with limited human input.
Microsoft has also added an agent mode to its Visual Studio Code editor. This mode supports automatic coding tasks.
Windsurf is a rival to Cursor. Cursor is owned by Anysphere, a company that was looking to raise funds at a $10 billion value earlier this year.
OpenAI had also considered buying Windsurf and Cursor.
Amazon said vibe coding is difficult. It can be hard to track past decisions and share them with team members.
Kiro tries to solve this by helping users define specs before writing any code. It can draw data flow diagrams and create task lists for developers.
Kiro supports English and other languages. Free and paid versions will be offered after the preview ends.
Amazon said data from paid users will not be used to train its models. Free users can opt out of data sharing.
How does Kiro work?
Amazon has shared more details about how its new AI coding tool, Kiro, works.
Developers or teams start by telling Kiro what they want to build. Kiro then creates a step-by-step plan before any code is written. It uses a method called EARS (Easy Approach to Requirements Syntax).
Kiro breaks the project into tasks and sub-tasks.
The tasks include writing tests, evaluating accessibility, and ensuring operation of system on different screens.
Software developers can evaluate every single task, including what code changes were made and how the AI agent acted.
Kiro includes agent hooks. These are automations that run when files are saved, changed, or added. The hooks update tests, refresh documentation, and enforce coding rules.
The company said these hooks act like a teammate who handles small but important tasks.
Derek Ashmore from Asperitas Consulting said hooks offer more control and flexibility than many current AI tools. But he added that they are not yet a major shift in software development.
He said power users, tool makers, and startups may find hooks more useful than everyday developers looking for a simple assistant.
Pricing of Kiro
Like other AWS services, Kiro will follow a tiered pricing model.
During the preview, Kiro is free. Users can access up to 50 agentic interactions per month.
After the preview, paid plans will begin. The base plan will cost $19 per month and include 1,000 interactions. A higher plan will cost $39 per month and allow up to 3,000 interactions.
Other AI coding tools have similar pricing. Cursor costs $20 per month. Claude Code offers plans between $17 and $20. GitHub Copilot is priced at $10 per month.
GitHub also has a Pro+ plan at $39 per month.
Read more: Ganga overflows as Varanasi floods submerge Ghats in India
