Skip to main content

​
Overview

Kiro is AWS’s agentic IDE built on Code OSS (VS Code foundation) with integrated spec-driven development, agent hooks, and deep AWS integration. To use Kiro’s spec-driven features, you must use their paid IDE—there’s no way to use the methodology with your preferred tools. specs.md is an IDE-agnostic framework implementing AWS’s AI-DLC methodology. It works with 11+ AI coding tools including Claude Code, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Windsurf, and more. Your specs and agents are portable markdown files—no vendor lock-in.
Available Now: specs.md (Simple Flow) provides Kiro-style Requirements → Design → Tasks workflow.

​
Side-by-Side Comparison

​
When to Choose Each

Choose specs.md (AI-DLC) if:

  • You want IDE flexibility (not locked to Kiro)
  • You prefer AI-DLC’s formal 3-phase methodology
  • You want to use your preferred AI model
  • You want to use free AI tools (Copilot, Cline, Kilo Code, etc.)
  • You need Mob rituals for team collaboration
  • You want DDD as an integral part
  • You want a VS Code extension to track progress visually

Choose Kiro if:

  • You want an all-in-one IDE experience
  • You’re heavily invested in AWS ecosystem
  • You want built-in agent hooks for automation
  • You prefer visual spec generation
  • You’re okay with Claude Sonnet only
  • You’re okay with subscription pricing

​
Key Differences

​
1. IDE Lock-in (Paid)

Kiro: Requires Kiro IDE subscription ($19-39/month) to use spec-driven features. You cannot use Kiro’s methodology in VS Code, Cursor, or other editors. specs.md: Works with 11+ tools including Claude Code, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Windsurf, Cline, Roo, Gemini CLI, Codex CLI, OpenCode, and more. Your specs are portable markdown files—switch tools anytime.

​
2. AI Model Flexibility

Kiro: Uses Claude Sonnet 4.5 with an “Auto” mode that mixes frontier models. No option to use GPT, Gemini, or bring your own API key. specs.md: Works with any AI model. Use whichever model works best for your use case.

​
3. Pricing Model

Kiro (revised August 2025):
  • Free: 50 vibe requests (no spec requests)
  • Pro: $20/month (225 vibe, 125 spec requests)
  • Pro+: $39/month (450 vibe, 250 spec requests)
  • Power: $200/month (2,250 vibe, 1,250 spec requests)
specs.md:
  • Free (open source)
  • Pay only for your AI API tokens

​
4. Context Management

Kiro uses simple spec files + steering:
specs.md uses Memory Bank:

​
5. Automation Approach

Kiro uses Agent Hooks (event-driven):
specs.md uses Skills and Templates:
Available Now: specs.md (Simple Flow) provides Kiro-style Requirements → Design → Tasks workflow.

​
Feature Comparison

​
Kiro’s Unique Features

​
specs.md Unique Features

​
Cost Comparison

​
Migration Path

If you’re using Kiro and want more methodology structure:
1

Export Kiro Specs

Convert Kiro’s requirements.md, design.md, tasks.md to specs.md Memory Bank format
2

Map Hooks to Skills

Convert agent hooks to specs.md skills (or wait for Simple Flow with hook support)
3

Adopt AI-DLC Phases

Organize work into Inception, Construction, Operations
4

Add Mob Rituals

Introduce Mob Elaboration and Mob Construction for team alignment

​
Summary

Bottom Line: Kiro offers a polished, all-in-one experience with AWS integration. specs.md offers methodology depth, IDE freedom, and no subscription costs.Want Kiro’s simplicity with AI-DLC’s methodology? Try specs.md (Simple Flow).