Installing Kiro IDE — Step by Step
Kiro is an agentic IDE by AWS built on top of VS Code. This guide walks through the complete installation and first-launch setup on Windows with a screenshot at every step.
Prerequisites
Section titled “Prerequisites”- OS: Windows 10 or Windows 11 (64-bit)
- Disk space: At least 895 MB free
- Internet connection: Required for sign-in and extension installation
Part 1 — Download Kiro
Section titled “Part 1 — Download Kiro”Go to kiro.dev and click the Download IDE button.
You can also download the CLI separately if you want to use Kiro from the terminal without the full IDE.
Part 2 — Run the Installer
Section titled “Part 2 — Run the Installer”Once the installer downloads, run it. You’ll be guided through 6 screens.
Step 1 — License Agreement
Section titled “Step 1 — License Agreement”Read the AWS Customer Agreement. Select “I accept the agreement” ① then click Next ②.
Step 2 — Select Destination Location
Section titled “Step 2 — Select Destination Location”The default install path is C:\Users\<you>\AppData\Local\Programs\Kiro.
Leave it as-is unless you want a different location ①, then click Next ②.
Step 3 — Select Start Menu Folder
Section titled “Step 3 — Select Start Menu Folder”Kiro creates a Start Menu shortcut under a folder named “Kiro” by default ①. You can rename it or click Browse ② to choose a different location. Click Next ③.
Step 4 — Select Additional Tasks
Section titled “Step 4 — Select Additional Tasks”All options are checked by default ①. These are recommended:
| Option | What it does |
|---|---|
| Create a desktop icon | Adds a Kiro shortcut to your desktop |
| Add “Open with Kiro” to file context menu | Right-click any file → Open with Kiro |
| Add “Open with Kiro” to directory context menu | Right-click any folder → Open with Kiro |
| Register Kiro as an editor for supported file types | Kiro becomes the default editor |
| Add to PATH | Lets you run kiro from any terminal |
Click Next ②.
Step 5 — Ready to Install
Section titled “Step 5 — Ready to Install”Review the summary of your choices. Click Install ① to begin.
Step 6 — Installation Progress
Section titled “Step 6 — Installation Progress”Kiro extracts files to the destination folder. Wait for the progress bar to complete — this takes about 1–2 minutes depending on your machine.
Step 7 — Installation Complete
Section titled “Step 7 — Installation Complete”Installation is done. Keep “Launch Kiro” checked and click Finish ①.
Part 3 — First Launch Setup
Section titled “Part 3 — First Launch Setup”Kiro opens and walks you through a one-time onboarding flow.
Step 1 — Sign In
Section titled “Step 1 — Sign In”Kiro requires an account. Click Sign in ①.
Step 2 — Choose Sign-In Method
Section titled “Step 2 — Choose Sign-In Method”Select how you want to authenticate ①:
| Option | Best for |
|---|---|
| Quick sign-in with your Google account | |
| GitHub | Developers already using GitHub |
| Builder ID | Free AWS account (no credit card needed) |
| Your organization | Enterprise/SSO accounts |
A browser window opens to complete authentication. Once done, return to Kiro.
Step 3 — Import VS Code Configuration (Optional)
Section titled “Step 3 — Import VS Code Configuration (Optional)”If you’re coming from VS Code, Kiro can import your extensions, settings, and keybindings automatically.
Click Import from VS Code ① to migrate, or Skip ② to start fresh.
Step 4 — Extensions Installing
Section titled “Step 4 — Extensions Installing”If you chose to import, Kiro starts installing your extensions one by one. You’ll see the progress in real time.
You don’t need to wait — click Next to continue onboarding while extensions install in the background.
Step 5 — Choose Your Theme
Section titled “Step 5 — Choose Your Theme”Pick Kiro Dark or Kiro Light ①, then click Continue.
You can change the theme at any time later from File → Preferences → Color Theme.
Step 6 — Trust Publisher Prompt (If Importing Extensions)
Section titled “Step 6 — Trust Publisher Prompt (If Importing Extensions)”If any imported extension is from an unverified publisher, Kiro shows a trust dialog. Review the extension and publisher, then click Trust Publisher & Install to proceed.
You’re Ready
Section titled “You’re Ready”Once onboarding completes, Kiro opens to its home screen. You now have a fully configured agentic IDE.
What to do next:
- Configure Steering Files — give Kiro persistent project context
- Set up MCP Integrations — connect Kiro to GitHub, Jira, databases
- Create Hooks — automate actions on file save, test failures, PRs