| Reading time: | 10 min |
| Last updated: | 10 Dec 2025 |
| Test status: |
| Reading time: |
| 10 min |
| Last updated: |
| 10 Dec 2025 |
| Test status: |
This guide is intended to get you up and running with this tool quickly with the most common settings. For a thorough review of all options, refer to the official documentation.
Kiro CLI is a command-line tool powered by a generative AI assistant. You can use it to ask questions about AWS architecture, resources, and general development tasks.
It supports multiple operating systems, including Arm-based Linux distributions and macOS, and you can install it in several ways.
You need a Builder ID to use Kiro CLI. If you don’t have one, visit Do more with AWS Builder ID and select Sign up with Builder ID to create your AWS Builder ID.
This guide explains how to install Kiro CLI on macOS and Arm Linux.
The CLI is invoked using the kiro-cli command.
The easiest way to install Kiro CLI on Linux and macOS is with a single command:
curl -fsSL https://cli.kiro.dev/install | bash
Yes, you can install Homebrew if it’s not already available on your computer.
Install Kiro CLI using Homebrew:
brew install kiro-cli
Yes, you can download and install Kiro CLI on any Arm Linux distribution using the installer.
Before starting, ensure that curl and unzip are available on your computer.
For Debian-based distributions such as Ubuntu, use the commands below. For other Linux distributions, use the appropriate package manager to install curl and unzip.
sudo apt update
sudo apt install curl unzip -y
Download the ZIP file with curl:
curl --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 -sSf 'https://desktop-release.q.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/latest/kirocli-aarch64-linux.zip' -o 'kirocli.zip'
Extract the installer and run it:
unzip kirocli.zip
bash ./kirocli/install.sh
The installer prompts you about updating your shell configuration:
✔ Do you want kiro to modify your shell config (you will have to manually do this otherwise)?
To automate the install, add the --no-confirm flag to the install.sh command.
If you’re using a Linux distribution with an older version of the GNU C Library, or one that doesn’t use it at all (such as Alpine), you can download an alternative package. This package is built with the musl C library and has no external dependencies.
Substitute the curl command above with this one and use the same install instructions:
curl --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 -sSf 'https://desktop-release.q.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/latest/kirocli-aarch64-linux-musl.zip' -o 'kirocli.zip'
You now have the latest version of Kiro CLI installed.
Confirm the CLI is available by printing the version:
kiro-cli version
The output shows the version:
kiro-cli 1.21.0
Kiro CLI can answer questions and solve problems related to your AWS resources and help you develop faster on AWS. To get the maximum benefit, you can configure the AWS CLI to use your account.
Follow the AWS CLI Install Guide and the AWS Credentials Install Guide to set up the AWS CLI and generate and configure access keys.
This allows you to use Kiro CLI to ask questions and solve issues specific to your AWS account.
For example, you can ask for the IP address of an EC2 instance instead of going to the AWS console or looking up the AWS CLI command to get it.
Kiro accesses your AWS resources and prints the information you ask for.
Kiro CLI can read your context. If you provide more information about yourself, you get tailored responses that match your development environment.
There are multiple options to store context.
Use the /context command to see the possible locations to store your context.
/context show
The help information is printed.
Agent (kiro_default)
- AmazonQ.md (no matches)
- AGENTS.md (no matches)
- README.md (no matches)
Session (temporary)
<none>
No files in the current directory matched the rules above.
For example, you can create a new file to store your context as shown below:
echo "I am an Arm Linux developer. I prefer Ubuntu and other Debian based distributions. I don't use any x86 computers so please provide all information assuming I'm working on Arm Linux. Sometimes I use macOS and Windows on Arm, but please only provide information about these operating systems when I ask for it." > ~/.kiro/context.md
When you invoke kiro-cli chat, you can confirm your context information was read by loading it and asking about it.
Load the context file:
/context add ~/.kiro/context.md
Confirm it was read:
did you read my context information?
The response confirms the context file was read:
Yes, I read your context information. You're an Arm Linux developer who prefers Ubuntu and other Debian-based
distributions, and you don't use x86 computers. You also sometimes use macOS and Windows on Arm, but only want
information about those when you specifically ask for them.
Ask questions like “How do I install the AWS CLI?” to verify that the answers match the provided context.
When you start kiro-cli chat, the model is printed:
Model: Auto (/model to change)
Use the /model command to list other available models:
/model
The model options are displayed:
Press (↑↓) to navigate · Enter(⏎) to select model
❯ Auto (current) | 1x credit | Models chosen by task for optimal usage and consistent quality
claude-sonnet-4.5 | 1.3x credit | The latest Claude Sonnet model
claude-sonnet-4 | 1.3x credit | Hybrid reasoning and coding for regular use
claude-haiku-4.5 | 0.4x credit | The latest Claude Haiku model
Use the arrow keys to select the model you want to use.
You can ask Kiro to set the default model for future sessions.
The Arm MCP Server is an MCP server providing AI assistants with tools and knowledge for Arm architecture development, migration, and optimization. This section shows how to configure the Arm MCP server locally using Docker.
First, pull the MCP server image to your local machine:
docker pull armlimited/arm-mcp:latest
You also need Docker running on the system. See the Docker install guide for instructions.
Modify the file ~/.kiro/settings/mcp.json to add the Arm MCP server via a Docker container.
To analyze a local codebase, use a -v command to mount a volume to the Arm MCP server /workspace folder so it can access code you want to analyze with migrate-ease and other tools.
Replace the path /Users/yourname01/yourlocalcodebase with the path to your local codebase:
{
"mcpServers": {
"arm_mcp_server": {
"command": "docker",
"args": [
"run",
"--rm",
"-i",
"-v", "/Users/yourname01/yourlocalcodebase:/workspace",
"--name", "arm-mcp",
"armlimited/arm-mcp:latest"
],
"env": {},
"timeout": 60000
}
}
}
Start Kiro CLI chat from your local shell and list the tools from the MCP server to verify it is working:
kiro-cli chat
Use the /tools command to list the available tools:
/tools
You should see the Arm MCP server tools listed in the output. If the arm-mcp server says it’s still loading, wait a moment and run /tools again.
If you are facing issues or have questions, reach out to mcpserver@arm.com .
You’re ready to use Kiro CLI.
How would you rate this tool quick-install guide?
What is the primary reason for your feedback ?
Thank you! We're grateful for your feedback.