Kiro Core Features Guide

Deep dive into the powerful features and capabilities of the AI programming tool

Core Features
Detailed Tutorials
Practical Examples

Core Features Overview

Kiro provides a complete set of AI-driven development tools to boost your programming efficiency

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Specs-Driven Development

Transform ideas into structured requirements, design, and implementation plans, helping AI better understand your project intentions

Systematic development methodology
Complete workflow from idea to implementation
AI-assisted requirements analysis

Specs Workflow

1

Requirements Gathering

Convert ideas to detailed user stories using EARS format

2

Design Documentation

Create technical designs and architecture specifications

3

Implementation Planning

Break down into executable coding tasks

4

Task Execution

AI-assisted incremental development

Specs File Example

user-auth.spec.md

# User Authentication System Specification

## Requirements Analysis (EARS Format)
- **When** user visits login page **then** **system should** display username and password input fields
- **If** user enters incorrect credentials **then** **system should** display error message
- **When** user successfully logs in **then** **system should** redirect to dashboard page

## Technical Design
- Use JWT Token for authentication
- Implement password hash storage
- Support remember login functionality

## Implementation Tasks
- [ ] Create login component UI
- [ ] Implement user validation logic
- [ ] Add error handling mechanism
- [ ] Integrate JWT Token management

Hook Types and Triggers

File Save Hook

Auto format, test, and update docs on file save

Git Hook

Trigger code checks and deployment on commit and push

Manual Hook

Custom buttons to trigger specific automation tasks

Scheduled Hook

Run periodic maintenance tasks and code reviews

Hooks Automation

Event-driven intelligent automation system enabling AI to execute predefined workflows at the right time

Event-driven automation
Smart workflow management
Visual hook configuration

Hook Configuration Examples

Automated Test Hook

{
  "name": "运行测试",
  "trigger": "file_save",
  "condition": "*.test.js",
  "action": "npm test",
  "ai_analysis": true
}

Code Formatting Hook

{
  "name": "格式化代码",
  "trigger": "pre_commit",
  "condition": "*.js,*.ts",
  "action": "prettier --write",
  "auto_fix": true
}

Steering AI Guidance

Guide AI behavior with custom context and instructions to ensure consistent, team-aligned development practices

Custom AI behavior rules
Unified team coding standards
Domain knowledge integration

Steering File Structure

.kiro/steering/

📁 coding-standards.md
📁 architecture-guidelines.md
📁 api-specifications.md
📁 domain-knowledge.md

Inclusion Strategy

Always include: Default behavior
Conditionally include: Based on file match
Manually include: Use context keys

Steering File Example

coding-standards.md

---
inclusion: fileMatch
fileMatchPattern: "**/*.{js,ts,jsx,tsx}"
---

# Coding Standards

## JavaScript/TypeScript Guidelines
- Use 2-space indentation
- Use camelCase for function names
- Use UPPER_SNAKE_CASE for constants
- Prefer const over var

## React Component Guidelines
- Use PascalCase for component names
- Props interface should end with Props
- Prefer function components over class components
- Prefer useState Hook for state management

## API Spec Reference
#[[file:api-spec.json]]

Please ensure all generated code follows the standards above.

Popular MCP Servers

Documentation Server

Access service documentation and API references in real time

uvx doc-server@latest

File System

Local file operations and management

Database

Execute SQL queries and explore database schemas

Web Search

Real-time information retrieval and web access

MCP Model Context Protocol

Extend AI capabilities with MCP by connecting external tools and services to build more powerful development workflows

Extend AI capability boundaries
Connect external services and APIs
Automatic service discovery and management

MCP Configuration Examples

Workspace Configuration

.kiro/settings/mcp.json
{
  "servers": {
    "doc-server": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "doc-server@latest"
      ],
      "auto_approve": ["search", "get_doc"]
    }
  }
}

User Global Configuration

~/.kiro/settings/mcp.json
{
  "servers": {
    "filesystem": {
      "command": "kiro-fs-server",
      "auto_approve": ["read", "list"]
    },
    "web-search": {
      "command": "kiro-search-server",
      "args": ["--api-key", "$SEARCH_API_KEY"]
    }
  }
}

Best Practice Recommendations

如何有效使用 Kiro 的核心功能提升开发效率

Specs Tips

  • • Start with simple user stories
  • • Use EARS format for clear requirements
  • • Update and iterate spec documents regularly
  • • Involve AI in the requirements analysis process

Hooks Optimization Tips

  • • Start with simple save hooks
  • • Avoid creating too many hooks
  • • Test hook logic to ensure stability
  • • Use conditional filters to avoid unnecessary triggers

Steering Configuration Essentials

  • • Keep steering files concise and clear
  • • Use file match patterns for precise control
  • • Include concrete code examples
  • • Update team standards regularly

MCP Integration Strategy

  • • Start integration from basic services
  • • Configure auto-approval to improve efficiency
  • • Check server status regularly
  • • Use caching mechanisms appropriately

Feature Combinations

  • • Specs + Hooks for automated development
  • • Steering + MCP to ensure code quality
  • • Progressive feature adoption strategy
  • • Establish team usage conventions

Continuous Improvement

  • • Collect team usage feedback
  • • Regularly evaluate feature effectiveness
  • • Track new features and updates
  • • Share best practices

Keep Learning

Dive deeper into more advanced features and techniques

Advanced Feature Applications

Learn more complex configurations and advanced techniques

Advanced Tutorials

Best Practices

Learn real-world application cases and experiences

View Cases

Q&A

Find solutions to common problems

View FAQ